Quaddakeric
New member
Seriously considering getting this motor for my 6-year-olds kart and using the 6.5hp for mine. Think it would push him along near full-throttle just fine to keep up with me at partial throttle?
2.5hp HF Engine
- Thread starter Quaddakeric
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devino246
Official DIYGK Chem Nerd
Just pay the few bucks extra and get the 6.5. The top speed will be the same, just more torque with the 6.5.
Quaddakeric
New member
Yeah, thats what I'm gonna do anyway. Just curious what yall thought.
Doc Sprocket
*********
+1 Redsox
The clones are nice because they come with a limiter screw on them. I use it for a minibike i built for a friend of mine who isn't "all there". It still takes off fine to engage the clutch since the governor flies open on initial throttle to give the surge but then the revs only to to about 2500 on the top end.
No.. he wanted a minibike for his Bday so i found a Warrior roller and stuck a clone in it for him. Painted it up with racing stripes and his name and everything on the tank all by hand. His parents loved it. I was actually surprised he could ride it smoothly on a 2 wheeler. He's autistic/almost MR so he has his hilarious moments but overall just isn't all with it in general life.
T-man
New member
hey Quad , dont get one. I wounld suggest getting him a 6.5 also ..just gear it way low. I have one of those 2.5 on my folding kart and as it worked great for most of this year in will not start now, plus twords the end there the engine would shut off if the throdel was let off to fast when they were driving it.
devino246
Official DIYGK Chem Nerd
Kids with autism can suprise you. My moms an AU teacher, so I've spent alot of time around them.
robbie
New member
I'll go against the crowd and stand up for the Harbor Freight 2.5 hp. It's a really nice little engine, but with a few weak points. It has a crappy air cleaner, and the pull rope isn't really a rope, it's more of a string wearing pajamas, disguised as a rope. Also, the bolts holding the gas tank in place have a bad habit of backing out, and then when the tank gets loose it jiggles around and develops cracks around the mounting tabs.
I have one of these engines on a go kart and another one on a mini bike. Both of these are set up with jack shafts and a high ratio to go about 12 mph, which feels pretty fast when you're on a gravel driveway 1/3 mile long.
The kart will carry my 240 pounds up a hill, barely. The bike has half the ground drag because of only 2 wheels, and it will accelerate me up a hill nicely. I feel a pretty respectable acceleration on the bike on flat ground. I have a ton of fun with it. The kids really tear around on both machines, and the kart does donuts and throws dirt.
I think this is the perfect engine for a kid's kart. It likes to start on choke. Once you learn its personality you'll have a great time with it. It's a really great little engine. The kart has 10 teeth on the engine, 17 and then 9 on the jack shaft, and 54 on the wheel. I'm pretty sure I have the bike geared one tooth different on the jack shaft for a greater top speed, just because it will handle it due to the reduced rolling drag.
I encourage you to give it more thought. This is a really nice engine. Just be sure to use a better tank, air cleaner and starter rope. I built an air cleaner from a tuna can for my bike. It works pretty good, although I'm still making the final adjustments.
I have one of these engines on a go kart and another one on a mini bike. Both of these are set up with jack shafts and a high ratio to go about 12 mph, which feels pretty fast when you're on a gravel driveway 1/3 mile long.
The kart will carry my 240 pounds up a hill, barely. The bike has half the ground drag because of only 2 wheels, and it will accelerate me up a hill nicely. I feel a pretty respectable acceleration on the bike on flat ground. I have a ton of fun with it. The kids really tear around on both machines, and the kart does donuts and throws dirt.
I think this is the perfect engine for a kid's kart. It likes to start on choke. Once you learn its personality you'll have a great time with it. It's a really great little engine. The kart has 10 teeth on the engine, 17 and then 9 on the jack shaft, and 54 on the wheel. I'm pretty sure I have the bike geared one tooth different on the jack shaft for a greater top speed, just because it will handle it due to the reduced rolling drag.
I encourage you to give it more thought. This is a really nice engine. Just be sure to use a better tank, air cleaner and starter rope. I built an air cleaner from a tuna can for my bike. It works pretty good, although I'm still making the final adjustments.
robbie
New member
One other thing about engine choices is that you aren't limited to one engine, one kart, one time. You're not a kid delivering papers to earn 5 bucks. I've built the pee-wee kart and bike, and next we're going to build more powerful, faster, and more exciting ones.
Quaddakeric
New member
He already has the 6.5 clone. The frame split in one spot so he can't ride it until I repair it. I do have the screw all the way down to stop the throttle from going any further past the point it takes to engage the clutch. Right now the motor is sitting on my kart that I just need wheels for. I was just curious if the 2.5 was worth anything. Honestly, I will put his 6.5 motor back on once I get the frame repaired then buy another for myself. 
robbie
New member
I've learned something since replying the first time, and since your question was simply whether the 2.5 is worth anything, I'll go ahead and post it. I built a custom exhaust pipe for the 2.5 that's mounted on the bike and it makes a huge difference. That bike is way faster than the go kart.
Anyway, the smart thing to do is to go ahead and put the 6.5 on your kart since you have the mounts built already. I just thought it might help to post an objective review of an engine that most people dismiss without even thinking about it. A lot of bikes are built with the little 49 cc 2 strokes that aren't as powerful as the HF 2.5. You can do a lot with this engine if you do it right.
Anyway, the smart thing to do is to go ahead and put the 6.5 on your kart since you have the mounts built already. I just thought it might help to post an objective review of an engine that most people dismiss without even thinking about it. A lot of bikes are built with the little 49 cc 2 strokes that aren't as powerful as the HF 2.5. You can do a lot with this engine if you do it right.
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