building my first gocart!

[blakews2217]

i hope this is in the right area but if its not feel free to ether take it down or move it.

here is the idea. i got an old beat up 250cc dirt bike that i just broke the frame on. the engine has also suffered badly from broken valve cover bolts to bad oil used for ever. i think i even wiped out and rode it back in the mud with no oil dipstick just venting and taking muddy water. the bottom end sounds fine. i may just put some solvent in it and shake it and drain. repeat till clear. the clutch works fine. it is carby with a pump shot (on such a small motor? i know) and choke. straight from 82 with about 1/2 original parts. where i need help is deciding on a frame design. it will have a live axle with brakes and i dont need a centrifugal clutch as the clutch in the bike motor is fine for now. it will be used more off the road than on but it will have a cage. probably wended on. i can do a lot of fab work but i need help on a frame design. any input will be thanked kindly.

also, when i told my dad he just said "holy st! that will be fast for a go cart" well now i feel challenged to make it fast. the bike is a 6 speed and was capable of 68 from the factory with 38 rear and 12 front toot sprockets. i dont need to go that fast so i may gear it down to top out at 45-50 or is it not worth it?

also i will be building the frame at my school welding shop after i get the materals.

 

[chancer]

Is your shift key broken?

 

[blakews2217]

actually yes, it is. bolth of them are.

 

[OzFab]

The dilemma here is this is your first build & most will suggest staying away from suspension but, being strictly an off road kart, suspension is almost a necessity...

Having said that, the engine cradle will need to be a solid mount, unless you spend big bucks on an up/down shift cable, as opposed to a shift rod...

I suggest you search google images until you find a design you like & go from there...

 

[blakews2217]

Thanks for the input. I do get that but maybe just run solid in the back and suspension up front? Does that seem logical or defeat the idea? Do you think it would be practical to buy a rolling frame on Craigslist?

 

[chancer]

Buying a rolling frame on Craigslist would be the best idea! Fix it up learn a lot and then have something to copy or adjust design from etc.

 

[blakews2217]

my big worry about this is if the frame can handle the abuse of having a bigger motor on it. sense it will be used offroad it will probably not stay on all 4 wheels. i do predict rolling it and i want it to hold and not give. also i may let my little brother to ride it. the good news is the literal smoking bike motor is ok. just needs valve seals and gaskets (about 50 shipped for bolth and some time and work) and will hopefully not smoke. im getting calipers from my dads shop and checking if the boar is too big for the stock rings. also im putting 4-7 heli-coils in it because when the PO of the bike had it he over-torqued the bolts bad and 1 broke and at least 3 stripped. when the PO had the valve cover off he said he put a timing chain in it bit it feels somewhat loose but never made noise. just a quiet tap that may be quieted down by a light rebuild. this bike has not seen love sense i think 83 or 84 when he took it off the road. he beat the living piss out of it. enough background. i only have a few hundred bucks to do this build.

 

[Hellion]

What kind of bike is it? Make/Model?

 

[DeathMachine]

my big worry about this is if the frame can handle the abuse of having a bigger motor on it. sense it will be used offroad it will probably not stay on all 4 wheels. i do predict rolling it and i want it to hold and not give. also i may let my little brother to ride it. the good news is the literal smoking bike motor is ok. just needs valve seals and gaskets (about 50 shipped for bolth and some time and work) and will hopefully not smoke. im getting calipers from my dads shop and checking if the boar is too big for the stock rings. also im putting 4-7 heli-coils in it because when the PO of the bike had it he over-torqued the bolts bad and 1 broke and at least 3 stripped. when the PO had the valve cover off he said he put a timing chain in it bit it feels somewhat loose but never made noise. just a quiet tap that may be quieted down by a light rebuild. this bike has not seen love sense i think 83 or 84 when he took it off the road. he beat the living piss out of it. enough background. i only have a few hundred bucks to do this build.

Look online for Honda Odyssey's, they are pricey but you can get some good ideas for making a rugged frame/motorcycle engine combo. I had one that I put through ****, used to roll it on purpose and it just shrugged it off.