Building a Victa powered 2-Up Go Kart

[rameses32]

Hi all, My name is Charley, I live in Wauchope Australia. My grandson came up to me last week and asked me if I would build him a go kart. He is 7 next week and so I figure he is old enough, I got my first motorcycle at 7. I have built a few go Karts over the years, using everything from a Briggs 5 HP, to a Honda 454 engine. The most fun was the Briggs Karts, the motorcycle powered Katrs were freakishly fast, espicially the 454, but required constant tinkering, but the Briggs were basic and simple and we rode, and raced all day long on any surface.

Well, yesterday I was cleaning some junk out and came accross an old Victa mower sitting in the junk pile, I was given it to throw away a year ago and it just sat in the weeds, well I poured some petrol in the tank yesterday and pumped the bulb 5 or 6 times and it started right up and ran like a champ. A little reserch on the net and I found this forum, what a great page, and I found out that this engine has been used in Karts and minibikes forever Down Under, I'm originally from Kansas. Anyway, today I found out I can order the adapter to mount a 3/4" bore Clutch on the Victa Engine for $46, Woo Hoo. Went to Super Cheap Auto and got the wheels. These are very cheap wheels, but I am looking for a Kart that only goes between 10 and 20 kph. The clutch has 12 teeth, the tyres are 4.10 x 3.50 and I'm wondering if anyone knows how many teeth I need on the drive sprocket?

Charley

 

[andriksen]

nice engine, but are you gona use chain (sprocket) or belt drive on it?

 

[brendonv]

I got a victa as well, isnt it from a vertical shaft lawnmower? In that case u have to mount the carby on a 90 degree angle or the float wont work. Its not very hard to do, just make a 90 degree piece of pipe.

Another aussie, yay! Im 15 and making my first go kart, its almost done. Should be finished on thursday or tomorrow if im lucky. Hope urs goes well, my grandad built a go kart years ago with a two cylinder honda, it was more a buggy but went real fast. He sadly gave it away before he pasted away (pasted away 6yrs ago) so i didnt get a chance to ride it. Only saw video of it at camping. He used a rack and pinion steering from an old VW. Looking back at the videos, its just amazing how he put it together. He didnt use any fancy lathes and such to make parts, just rusty car parts and a shed. haha.

Anyway a bit off track now but my point was, grandads always build cool things. haha. Good luck, i bet ur grandson will be very happy.

 

[BradenM]

Don't use that **** plastic carby. If you can, try something (anything!) else.

I also have a Victa engine being converted to kart use, and i'd love for you to help me out with where I can order such an adapter from-I was quoted $400 at a local machine shop.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Speed calc http://www.diygokarts.com/speed-calculator.html

 

[rameses32]

Go to a Mower repair center, Just tell them you want to install a 3/4" Centrifical clutch on a Victa engine for a minibike. I can't remember the catalogue it was in but when I go back and order it tomorrow I'll get more info for you. It was called an Adapter nut for Victa Engines.
Charley

Don't use that **** plastic carby. If you can, try something (anything!) else.

I also have a Victa engine being converted to kart use, and i'd love for you to help me out with where I can order such an adapter from-I was quoted $400 at a local machine shop.

 

[rameses32]

Progress today:

I went to the steel place and purchased some 1" square tubing, some 3/8" bar stock, some 7/8" round tubing and some 20mm bar stock, also stopped by the bolt place and got a few bolts.

I couldn't find Tubing the correct size for the Kingpins, so I had to turn out my own out of 20mm bar stock.

Then I made the yokes, I made them from 3" square tubing, drilled the holes and then cut away the excess, simple and quick.

Then I tack welded the spindles together.

And bored out the steering colum to fit some bushings I already had.

And that it for the first day. Tomorrow I will tack-weld the the front axle together. and start on the Chassie.
Charley

 

[BradenM]

Wow, you move fast. Not as fast as that Victa will be though.

 

[Buick455]

First off, very nice job thus far rameses32. Your grandsons going to love it & tearing up your lawn. I know I would, lol.

Wow, you move fast.

Didn't you know, grandpas move swiftly with precision & accuracy matched by no man or machine. The fact that they are awake, and in the shop to work by 4:00am also helps, lol.

Long story that has nothing to do with go karts:
I remember 20+ years ago, when I was very young, I asked my grandpa if we could build a tree fort in his back yard. The next morning I woke up to find a 3 level decking built in the trees in his back yard & a pile of tongue & grove lumber & 2x4’s stacked next to it so we could build the walls together. Summers were always interesting at grandpa and grandmas house. He was a chemist by trade / carpenter because of his father durring the depression, so there was always something fun to scare grandma with, lol. By the time we finished the fort it had a garage (the Batcave) for my bike, living room with bench seating & TV (so I wouldn't miss Twilight Zone), sleeping quarters for three 4’ tall people, and an emergency exit on the 3rd floor by way of zip line that went to the back stairs of his house (emergencies consisted of lunch or dinner being ready, lol) and electricity for a 13” black & white TV & lights on every floor. Long story short grandparents are great, enjoy them while you can.

 

[rameses32]

Ok, I'm a grandad, but I'm not that old, here is a pic of me on a bike I built 3 years ago.
Charley

And another pic of me from just a couple months ago getting in trouble for doing a burnout at Longflat on another bike I built.

 

[Buick455]

No, I guess your not. Mine was in his early 60's when I was 7. When I hear grandpa I automaticly think b&w "Leave it to Beaver", guess its just the way my mind works. Sorry about that, I'm a little damaged ut: Age will happen if we like it or not, don't rush it, lol.

getting in trouble for doing a burnout at Longflat on another bike I built.

There is always someone out to ruin your fun

 

[Ferrari motors15]

those type of tire a big ***k **** . I use 6 tires for the front of my go kart and after 40 min of kart this type of tyre are broken

 

[rameses32]

Update, Day two, I know it has been more than two days, But it is only the second day I have worked on the Kart.

I had to cut the tack welds on the spindles, I tacked them at 90 degrees, instead of 107 degrees, but it was a quick fix, thats why you tack everything first.

Then I tacked together the frame and steering column., the rear stubs are just tacked in at this point so I could sit in the Kart. I set it with a 56" wheel base and 48" track. It's getting there.

I know the wheels and tyres are pure rubbish, but they were extremely cheap and will help prove the concept, and when the Kart is up and running I will spend the money to upgrade.

Charley

 

[jr dragster T]

Is that red welder a TIG welder? That lady looked real happy when you where smokin' the tire!

 

[rameses32]

Yes, it is a tig welder, I prefer to Tig weld or Oxy weld everything. The welds are stronger and much cleaner, Tig is a bit harder than Mig but not alot, anybody can Tig weld, And once you learn to do it, you will hate welding with anything else.
Charley

 

[BradenM]

The angry women needs more fornication. Maybe then she would appreciate the smell of burning rubber. There I said it....

 

[brendonv]

looking sweet, dang u work fast. XD

 

[rameses32]

Made it back into the workshop for a couple hours, here are a couple updated pics.
Charley

 

[BradenM]

It's all happening bro.

 

[rameses32]

Not much of an update, the clutch adapter arrived today. The Victa engine has a tapered crankshaft, so it requires an adapter to mount a cen clutch. I have a 12 tooth Maxtorque clutch a 76 tooth sprocket and 1 metre of #35 chain on the way, should be here friday.

Anyway, for thoes that are interested, The Adapter is Part Number CLL1573 in the GA Power Equipment Spares Catalogue, It cost me $42.
CHarley