Build my own or buy one

[Silver Tongue Devil]

Hey folks, I had a go cart for about 7 years then I got rid of it mainly because I was too big and it was slow. Anyhow, I'm looking to get back into one.

I was curious, would it be better for me to build my own go cart, out of square tubing is what I'll use, or to buy a frame off someone and modify it? I'm about 6'3", 210 lbs. I live out in the country so it'll have to be an off road go cart, even paved roads are rougher then ****. And I'll make a suspension for the front and back. I was planning on putting a predator 212 on it, but considering putting the 670 for more power.

 

[bob58o]

I find that I get more satisfaction out of building stuff myself. But it is also more frustrating. It depends on your tools, fabrication skills, budget, and what you want. If you build it, you can do exactly what you want. Buying something, more often than not, means making some kind of compromise. If you buy it, you are not going to win the DIYGK 2018 Build Off. If you build it, who knows?

 

[qtband]

I have done both, several times. Building your own is satisfying and you know what you have, but it's time consuming. If you could find a buggy type kart that needs repair, you can start from there and still get what you want. I's search Craigslist, OfferUp, and FB Marketplace for a few days before deciding on something. I like the Hammerhead, Carter Talon and the Crossfire type of karts.

 

[Silver Tongue Devil]

Bob, I'm pretty hands on type of person. I took an 1996 Harley sportster and rebuilt it and painted it, and I've never rode a motorcycle in my life. I have the tools, bandsaw, welders, cutting torch and the wrenches. Fabrication skills I'm decent with.

Qtband, I've been searching. A buddy of mine has a go cart he's trying to sell. But it's near identical to the one I used to have and it has no suspension, I would have to make heavy modifications to it. I'm reluctant to do all that. I'll check those places and see what I can find

 

[anickode]

Bob, I'm pretty hands on type of person. I took an 1996 Harley sportster and rebuilt it and painted it, and I've never rode a motorcycle in my life. I have the tools, bandsaw, welders, cutting torch and the wrenches. Fabrication skills I'm decent with.

Qtband, I've been searching. A buddy of mine has a go cart he's trying to sell. But it's near identical to the one I used to have and it has no suspension, I would have to make heavy modifications to it. I'm reluctant to do all that. I'll check those places and see what I can find

Yeah, if you can do all those modifications, you can build a box to sit in as well.

I would probably try and find a good deal on a pre-built frame with suspension, and focus your time on performance. Tires, gear ratios, brakes, bigger engine, etc.

 

[Silver Tongue Devil]

Anickode, awesome. I'll keep my eyes open. Hopefully I can find a good deal

 

[Silver Tongue Devil]

Here's a go kart my buddy has, don't know the brand of the kart or engine. It looks near identical to the go kart I used to have and it was a Dingo by Manco. I offer a 100 bucks on it but haven't heard back yet.

Plans are to strip it down, add a front suspension, rear suspension, and lengthen the frame to accommodate my size.

The rear suspension would be like that of a motorcycle, swing arm. I was curious if a sleeved bolt would be enough or would I need to use bearings?

It's going to have a wider stance when I'm finished

 

[mrbeggs432]

Hey folks, I had a go cart for about 7 years then I got rid of it mainly because I was too big and it was slow. Anyhow, I'm looking to get back into one.

I was curious, would it be better for me to build my own go cart, out of square tubing is what I'll use, or to buy a frame off someone and modify it? I'm about 6'3", 210 lbs. I live out in the country so it'll have to be an off road go cart, even paved roads are rougher then ****. And I'll make a suspension for the front and back. I was planning on putting a predator 212 on it, but considering putting the 670 for more power.

I have been lucky and been finding gokart carcasses for $40-60 and modifying them....But this 1" square tube cart I built from scratch with no plans...powered with modified Predator 212...I push 340lbs and this thing moves me pretty good

 

[Silver Tongue Devil]

I have been lucky and been finding gokart carcasses for $40-60 and modifying them....But this 1" square tube cart I built from scratch with no plans...powered with modified Predator 212...I push 340lbs and this thing moves me pretty good

Where I live, you can't find carcasses. I've searched Craigslist, offer up, facebook, everyone wants too much for em or they're too far away.

I've considered building my own out of squart tubing, it would be an off road type, so I'm a little worried about the weight being a little heavy, I tend to build stuff like a tank.

Is that tubing bent for the side rails? How do you manage that?

 

[mrbeggs432]

Where I live, you can't find carcasses. I've searched Craigslist, offer up, facebook, everyone wants too much for em or they're too far away.

I've considered building my own out of squart tubing, it would be an off road type, so I'm a little worried about the weight being a little heavy, I tend to build stuff like a tank.

Is that tubing bent for the side rails? How do you manage that?

1" inch thick wall tubing is plenty strong....I make front n rear axles all the time....the bender I have is one of those affordable benders with 1.25" die for round tubing...but I put some small radius bends with the square tubing as well.....you can build a good strong set up without a bender....unless your plans include a rollcage.....or have a squared out cage....good luck with your project

 

[Silver Tongue Devil]

I figured you used a bender. I'll make a square cage. I'll keep yall updated

 

[Silver Tongue Devil]

Have a question, I started designing a go kart. Anybody know what's the relativity in W to L of the go kart? It's going to be an offroad go kart and have front and rear suspension, right now I have the engine bay 32"x30" and the front frame 56" then an additional 10" for the front suspension.

Should I design the suspension to be within the frame instead out in front? That would shorten the length, but I'm 6'3" and would like to fit comfortably. The way I have it now, there's about 42" from the edge of the seat to the pedals.

 

[Silver Tongue Devil]

Would 11 gauge square tubing be too thick for a go kart build? Or should I go with 12 or 14 gauge?