A history of my Kart and a mechanical question

[kf5qzs]

My GoKart I bought from a friend who needed $$$ last year. It was in pieces, and the engine was utterly useless.

I paid a guy I know to put it back together and make it run, as I'm not mechanically inclined in the least bit.

He cut, welded and made a spot to put a 6.5hp engine on it VS what was originally on it ( 125CC engine ). His make shift engine mount was slightly out of line with the rear sprocket, so he built a custom clutch to make the chain align with the sprocket.

It had enough power to pull around my small daughter, but not enough for a full grown adult unless on paved road. After 3 months, the pull rope broke on me, and we threw a tarp over it.

Now that the weather is improving, I've gotten a renewed interest in getting it running, and have been doing a lot of research on how to repair it.

I'm going to document EVERYTHING in photos.

I've ordered a new engine and transmission as well as a few more parts to improve it.

In the meantime, to get some practice in on repairs, I've decided to repair the engine that is currently on my go kart while I wait for the new Predator 212, CVT and engine plate to come in.

My kart currently has a 6.5 HP Grey Hound Engine from Harbor Freight. Looks identical to this one http://images.harborfreight.com/cpi/...6099/66014.gif

Anyway I broke the pull cord off, and that is why I shelved it.

I've cleaned the carb, put fresh gas in it, greased everything, cleaned it really well and cleaned the spark plug. When I took off the pull start rope assembly and put a new one on it, I cannot seem to get it to " retract ".

Is there a special trick to get it to retract? Please forgive my ignorance.

 

[kf5qzs]

I can post a ton of pictures of it I just took if you'd like me to

 

[Poboy kartman]

Well....you have to take the shroud back off.....and see if it retracts when it's not mounted......

Post back with that result......and plenty of pictures....and we'll get it figured out....

 

[kf5qzs]

No dice :\ it does not retract off. Guess that part is possibly broken. Hmmmn.

Wonder if Harbor Freight sells just that part ?

 

[griff7373]

Not the cart expert myself but on my pull start rc engines you have to put a couple of turns on the spring to re-tension it when you replace the pull cord. Usually I re-spool the cord put it back together leaving off the pull handle and then spin the spool around a couple of turns before pushing rope back through the pull hole and tying the handle back on.

 

[John551]

 

[Poboy kartman]

No dice :\ it does not retract off. Guess that part is possibly broken. Hmmmn.

Wonder if Harbor Freight sells just that part ?

Nope....it's not broken....the spring just isn't wound.....you have to think of it this way.....like a watch that isn't wound....it ain't gonna run....

So....without a rope in place.....you have to wind that sucker....a turn or two PAST what it takes to recoil the rope....then attach the rope....and let it recoil the rope onto the spool....make sense????? Then it'll work.....

So.....what is going to happen....is as you pull on the rope...it's going to spin the pulley in one direction.....pull it all the way out....noting the direction it is turning....and getting a good idea of how many turns it took to get there....then remove the rope, spin that pulley about that many turns the other way + 2.....lock it down by some means....feed the pull start rope in...tie a knot...and let it recoil the rope.....

Hope this helps.....

 

[kf5qzs]

.........
So.....what is going to happen....is as you pull on the rope...it's going to spin the pulley in one direction.....pull it all the way out....noting the direction it is turning....and getting a good idea of how many turns it took to get there....then remove the rope, spin that pulley about that many turns the other way + 2.....lock it down by some means....feed the pull start rope in...tie a knot...and let it recoil the rope.....Hope this helps.....

Wife and I both tried that after you mentioned it. It's not " grabbing " or catching at all. No spring, snap to it.

Just asked on a local forum via FB where I might be able to go to tomorrow to find one.

 

[kf5qzs]

And uploading a bunch of Pics as she is now.

 

[kf5qzs]

This is why i'm having to order an new engine mount plate and clutch for now. The man who did the work for me misaligned the engine mounts, and instead of re doing it properly, made a custom clutch that was about an inch and half over to match the rear sprocket.

 

[kf5qzs]

But it will definitely be something awesome when we are finally finished with it.

Going to Herculine ( bed liner ) the entire thing, then go back over it camouflaged colors.

Per peoples information here, I've ordered a CVT, predator engine and engine mount plate. Got to find someone to cut off the existing problem and weld it when it comes in.

 

[kf5qzs]

Yes, the sprocket is welded to the axle :\

 

[kf5qzs]

Here is a better photo of how the sprocket is on the rear axle

 

[Tomahawk27]

I know I'm a little late to the party since you ordered the Predator, but when my recoil rope broke and needed replaced, I found this video useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmo6oYOJJ4U

 

[griff7373]

slightly different then my Nitro pull starters you have to pre-wind it before installing the rope.

 

[kf5qzs]

Never too late. I'm enjoying learning a new hobby. As I mess with it more and more, I learn more.