Hello, New here from Arkansas

[Heyhey1234]

Hello, I’m a dad of four looking for a fun project to do as a family with the hopes it could potentially be a 4H project and/or county fair entry. I’m hopeful it would be a two seater strong enough for me (225 lbs) and one of the kids and include a roll cage and seat belts as they don’t have any experience with karts to know what is a wise decision and what isn’t. We have zero experience in karting or in welding/fabrication but we’re open minded to learning and trying. I’m not looking for recommendations on these things here as I know this probably isn’t the appropriate place on the forum, just saying hello and letting you know who we are and what we’re hoping to achieve.

 

[Denny]

Welcome to the slippery slope!

 

[Hellion]

If you’re looking for a junked, derelict, ran-when-parked two seater kart/buggy for a project, you will be happy to know most fun karts are essentially designed for post-pubescent folks, aka adults. The makers unfortunately didn’t make allowances for the 600lbs people that are common today… I guess they were fat phobes, huh?

 

[Hellion]

We have zero experience in karting or in welding/fabrication

We’d be happy to help you along the way but you have to be a skilled photo taker so we can “be there”. Don’t worry about lack of skills, such speed bumps never stopped Facebook Fred. He learned to weld the day he unboxed his cheap Amazon welder. Remember, booger welds are real welds.

 

[Master Hack]

know what is a wise decision and what isn’t.

Some might say yer whole idea isn't.
But we ignore that and forge ahead!

 

[Denny]

Welcome to the house of bad decisions! Almost every move we make here would be considered a bad decision.

 

[Hellion]

looking for a fun project to do as a family

What is your idea of a project?

 

[Heyhey1234]

We’d be happy to help you along the way but you have to be a skilled photo taker so we can “be there”. Don’t worry about lack of skills, such speed bumps never stopped Facebook Fred. He learned to weld the day he unboxed his cheap Amazon welder. Remember, booger welds are real welds.

We’d be happy to help you along the way but you have to be a skilled photo taker so we can “be there”. Don’t worry about lack of skills, such speed bumps never stopped Facebook Fred. He learned to weld the day he unboxed his cheap Amazon welder. Remember, booger welds are real welds.

Thanks, there's nothing to photograph yet but will keep that in mind when we get to that point!

 

[Heyhey1234]

What is your idea of a project?

I could just go out and buy a brand new already assembled kart but I'm more excited about the idea of a build and the time spent together out in the shop and the things we'll learn along the way than I am the thought of owning one and driving it. Don't get me wrong, it will surely be a fun experience to actually use it when we're done but I'm more interested in the build process. I'm sure my kids have a different perspective.

 

[Grizzlymi]

I could just go out and buy a brand new already assembled kart but I'm more excited about the idea of a build and the time spent together out in the shop and the things we'll learn along the way than I am the thought of owning one and driving it. Don't get me wrong, it will surely be a fun experience to actually use it when we're done but I'm more interested in the build process. I'm sure my kids have a different perspective.

Amen to that! When I was a kid, it was all about getting it to run and move and enjoy. As an adult kid, I truly enjoy the build process, figuring things out and seeing someone enjoy the results.

 

[Hellion]

….buy a brand new already assembled kart but I'm more excited about the idea of a build

A build means different things to different people. You could drag home a rusty derelict frame that has no wheels, engine, steering wheel or seat and call it a build when you make it complete, run and roll again. Or you could start with nothing but steel tubing and weld something together either from plans or “freelance”.

 

[Grizzlymi]

Potato, patato.........That is the question.

 

[Master Hack]

the idea of a build and the time spent together out in the shop and the things we'll learn along the way than I am the thought of owning one and driving it. Don't get me wrong, it will surely be a fun

We started a "family" project some 30 years ago. After about 200 weekends of build in the shop, Then we enjoyed 25 + years playing, fixing, modifing, playing and fixing.
The whole project made my relationship with the youngns what it is today.
When time to sell came along, we used the funds for a week in Hawaii.
lts a noble project, but don't underestimate the work and expense. Too many projects end up shoved out of sight for that reason.

 

[Heyhey1234]

A build means different things to different people. You could drag home a rusty derelict frame that has no wheels, engine, steering wheel or seat and call it a build when you make it complete, run and roll again. Or you could start with nothing but steel tubing and weld something together either from plans or “freelance”.

I am considering both of these options and am researching to determine which one seems like a better fit for us.

 

[Heyhey1234]

We started a "family" project some 30 years ago. After about 200 weekends of build in the shop, Then we enjoyed 25 + years playing, fixing, modifing, playing and fixing.
The whole project made my relationship with the youngns what it is today.
When time to sell came along, we used the funds for a week in Hawaii.
lts a noble project, but don't underestimate the work and expense. Too many projects end up shoved out of sight for that reason.
View attachment 159521

Sounds like some pretty special memories were made and I’m sure your kids cherish them.

 

[panchothedog]

What you are describing in your first post, I have four of them. All 2 seaters with roll cages, saftey belts, and running torque converters. Look for older American
built karts. Even if they are rough. The frames are solid, and generic parts that will fit are readally available. Buy karts that have or use lawnmower style pull start engines. New engines ( if needed are cheap, $149 ). Stay away from the modern Chinese built stuff that have electric start, lights, FNR transmissions, turn signals, horn, emergency brake and a whole host of other junk. The wiring problems will drive you crazy. Keep it simple. Pull start, and a kill switch.

 

[panchothedog]

Maybe some more. Tablet is old ( like me ) and doesn't always work like it should. These are the type of karts you want to buy. No gadgets.

 

[Heyhey1234]

"older American built karts"

This is incredibly helpful to me, thank you. Regarding the two different builds described by @Hellion, this is the where I'm leaning. I'd like to find a good used frame and do the rest rather than building my own frame. Building my own sounds like I would be biting off more than I'm ready to chew. These days, I'm assuming FB marketplace is the easiest tool for finding this? Do ya'll have recommended search terms for hunting this down? "Roll cage" and "two seater" are easy. "Older" and "American" sound like they could be more difficult. This listing catches my eye, what do you all think?

 

[Hellion]

I looked at the FB ad for the frame. That would be a hard pass for me at that price or any price. The solid steel floor front to rear definitely looks “custom” but undesired. Ultimately it‘s up to you and your desires.

Failbook Marketplace (the only real reason to have an account) seems to be king at the moment and the best option just because of the sheer number of ads. Try Offerup, Letgo (one of these may be defunct) and craigslist as well.

Craigslist used to be numero uno but the one for my location has been taken over by dealers and the “go karts” there are brand new $X,XXX chinese buggies or UTVs.

Most often “go kart” will work as a search term because sellers 90% don’t know what they have.

Try:
go kart
gokart
go-kart
go cart
gocart
go-cart
buggy
ATV
Predator (the de facto kart engine and they will call it a predator go kart 9/10.

For searching brands:
Manco
American Sportworks
Yerf-Dog
Murray
Carter or Carter Brothers
Ken-Bar
etc.

All those variations of go kart in the first list used to result in different results, but the FB algorithm seems to get anything and everything even remotely related (like minibikes).

 

[Heyhey1234]

I looked at the FB ad for the frame. That would be a hard pass for me at that price or any price. The solid steel floor front to rear definitely looks “custom” but undesired. Ultimately it‘s up to you and your desires.

Failbook Marketplace (the only real reason to have an account) seems to be king at the moment and the best option just because of the sheer number of ads. Try Offerup, Letgo (one of these may be defunct) and craigslist as well.

Craigslist used to be numero uno but the one for my location has been taken over by dealers and the “go karts” there are brand new $X,XXX chinese buggies or UTVs.

Most often “go kart” will work as a search term because sellers 90% don’t know what they have.

Try:
go kart
gokart
go-kart
go cart
gocart
go-cart
buggy
ATV
Predator (the de facto kart engine and they will call it a predator go kart 9/10.

For searching brands:
Manco
American Sportworks
Yerf-Dog
Murray
Carter or Carter Brothers
Ken-Bar
etc.

All those variations of go kart in the first list used to result in different results, but the FB algorithm seems to get anything and everything even remotely related (like minibikes).

You’re exactly right @Hellion, I sent her a message asking if she knew the brand and model and she said no. I’m patient and will keep hunting. Thank you for this message.