Childhood Realized

[Wicked_Daddy]

When I was 8 years old, there was a 12 year old kid on my street that had a go kart. It had 2 engines. His younger brother had one with 1 engine. My uncle built my older brother a mini-bike with a Tecumseh engine. I knew other kids that had go karts or mini-bikes as well. Everyone had these machines but me. "Too young" was the excuse I got. But that Tecumseh was a POS and I was the only one who could get it to run. For doing so, my brother would take me around the block. It was intoxicating. I just seemed to "get" how engines worked and I loved working on it. I've been a gearhead since. Classics, hotrods, Harleys... but I never had a go kart. When I was 13 I was able to go by myself to the local go kart track and spend my paper route money on 10 minutes of pure adrenaline in a rickety kart that barely went 20MPH.

I just turned 60 and decided to go on a search for the kart I never had. No used karts locally, no track - so on to the internet. Could I fit into one? Are they even a thing anymore? I found this Bintelli kart and read several posts on various sites about them being junk, not good for racing, etc. I don't need to race. I just want to feel that thrill of my butt being 2 inches from the pavement, going balls out in an open, little kart. I can make whatever I get into something of quality. The price was right and the pictures of race karts looked better than anything I had seen as a kid. I dove in. Yeah, it needed a thorough once over when I got it. It came partially together, but haphazardly. The welds aren't pretty and the nuts and bolts are cheap. The engine is a Lifan, whatever that is. But it had all the elements. A week of "re-do" in my garage, a few trips to the store for better hardware, and some tuning... and it is a solid machine. I took it around the neighborhood this morning and I'm struggling (not really) to wipe the s*** eating grin off my face. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but she's curious to try it. I'm already thinking about one of those Ghost Predator engines from Harbor Freight.

And now I've found this forum.

I'm hooked.

 

[Denny]

Don’t feel bad I’m 60 and a few others are in their 70s. We’re all reliving our childhoods! Glad you drank the coolaid! Now to get momma hooked! Welcome to the sickness!!!!

 

[Edwin Spangler]

The Ghost engine is decent but do you know if anything is done to the current Lifan motor? It looks VERY well done to be stock.

You can also build a 212 with better parts than the Ghost, for a little less... The difference is negligible so IMO the Ghost motor wins due to the 'out of the box-bolt on power' factor.

Youll need a slide carb throttle cable for the Ghost motor.

 

[Wicked_Daddy]

The Lifan motor runs strong. It's stock except for an intake venturi/air filter mount. The carb was a little lean so I dialed that in. It's rated at 6.5 HP but my butt dyno says it's probably a tad more than that with the better intake. As long as it runs good, I'll keep that motor. That said, more HP is never going to get an argument from me. LOL!

Are you suggesting a Predator or Tillotson 212 with mods? If so, what mods? Carb, intake, etc? Or, go deep with piston, cams, etc?

 

[Edwin Spangler]

I believe all three of these engines are just copies of the GX engine from honda. Most upgrade parts should swap between all of them.

Id swap the flywheel first, then rod and piston. Stainless valves, springs, cam after getting used to the power. Of course youd need to remove the governor.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Might I add, that is a beautiful kart! Much prettier than my ogre, by comparison.

 

[Denny]

Might I add, that is a beautiful kart! Much prettier than my ogre, by comparison.View attachment 158416

You let people see you on that?

 

[Edwin Spangler]

You let people see you on that?

I wear a mask and hold a sign that reads, "Im Denny from DIYgokarts.com"

 

[Hellion]

…..I dove in.

You sure did. We are Do It Yourself. I think you’re a Did It Myself, past tense.

Do you have any before-pics of the kart or in-progress photos of the refurb? I always save the craigslist ad (screenshot) and the photos for reference, to remember what it was listed for, etc.

That is a neat kart but I could never get into those as a casual thing to rip around on because of the low ground clearance (most speed bumps will stop them cold), expensive parts, the fact you sort of “wear it” to ride it and they’re very niche. But I still like them; they are the current iteration of the classic go kart, just evolved. Karts (and minibikes) are adult toys and always have been so I question anyone that says we’re crazy, or worse: immature. Nothing beats the speed sensation of being that low to the ground.

Might I add, that is a beautiful kart! Much prettier than my ogre, by comparison.

That looks like a car. What is that flesh colored blob at the top of the frame? I’m scared

 

[Wicked_Daddy]

Might I add, that is a beautiful kart! Much prettier than my ogre, by comparison.View attachment 158416

Your Ogre is far more functional. That thing is ready for the zombie apocalypse!

And yes, removing the governor was one of my first endeavors on that Lifan. I am pleasantly surprised at the quality of it.

 

[Wicked_Daddy]

You sure did. We are Do It Yourself. I think you’re a Did It Myself, past tense.

Do you have any before-pics of the kart or in-progress photos of the refurb? I always save the craigslist ad (screenshot) and the photos for reference, to remember what it was listed for, etc.

That is a neat kart but I could never get into those as a casual thing to rip around on because of the low ground clearance (most speed bumps will stop them cold), expensive parts, the fact you sort of “wear it” to ride it and they’re very niche. But I still like them; they are the current iteration of the classic go kart, just evolved. Karts (and minibikes) are adult toys and always have been so I question anyone that says we’re crazy, or worse: immature. Nothing beats the speed sensation of being that low to the ground.

I am bad about taking pics but I looked through the pics of the other projects and now I want to do another of one of those old style, box frames... Take before pics of a rust bucket, then paint it neon highlighter yellow with matching engine and loads of chrome. (I'm a chromaholic)

You are so right about the fit. I barely squeeze into that seat and it does feel like I am wearing it. I may change it out for something more comfortable. But I can get it to do a full 180 just by twisting the steering wheel and tapping the brakes. Meanwhile, I don't move. So that's fun. No speed bumps in my neighborhood! I'm going to wear these tires out in no time.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Lifan is a major engine manufacturer for everywhere but the US.

A billit rod is now on my "firsts" list after my experience. While your there, might as well put a cam and springs. And since you did a cam, gotta put a whywheel on.
Build it once, the right way.

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum!!! You are going to love it here

 

[panchothedog]

Do as WTR says in post # 12. The engine you have is what's known as a 196cc clone. It can be hopped up to easily double the the hp. Even a pinch more with head work. You have a good foundation to build a screamer. Don't waste your money on a Ghost. Put that same amount into the engine you have and that
shyt eating grin will go ear to ear. There's as much stuff available for these little engines as there is for a small block Chevy.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

That looks like a car. What is that flesh colored blob at the top of the frame? I’m scared

lol finger blocking LEDs. -And you may be pleased to know, my go kart has but 3 lights for visibility and the electric start never works because that 420 coil wont charge the battery. Nothing else!

 

[Wicked_Daddy]

Do as WTR says in post # 12. The engine you have is what's known as a 196cc clone. It can be hopped up to easily double the the hp. Even a pinch more with head work. You have a good foundation to build a screamer. Don't waste your money on a Ghost. Put that same amount into the engine you have and that
shyt eating grin will go ear to ear. There's as much stuff available for these little engines as there is for a small block Chevy.

Too much fun. You guys are going to be a bad (good) influence on me. Double the HP? I'm in!

 

[VT_Kart]

Thats a beauty of a Kart! Great work on the clean up process, it looks brand new. I know I would be itching to get at about 15hp in that thing before long.. Hows it drive? Looks like it will go right where you point it. Enjoy!

 

[Wicked_Daddy]

Thats a beauty of a Kart! Great work on the clean up process, it looks brand new. I know I would be itching to get at about 15hp in that thing before long.. Hows it drive? Looks like it will go right where you point it. Enjoy!

Thanks! It handles like it's on tracks but pushing it through a corner will get it to drift. Acceleration is slow and I'm thinking the clutch is weak. I'm 210lbs so maybe that is a factor. It seems slow to engage fully. The engine is also lean and lacks throttle response. I have bigger jets on the way. I've been looking at these kits with piston, rod, valve springs, cam, etc and I think that's next. That said, it will achieve a decent top speed. I need to GPS it but it feels like somewhere between 40 and 50 MPH.

 

[VT_Kart]

I know nothing of the Lufans but i suppose theyre just another 6.5 hp engine. I wonder if theres heavier springs in the driven? it will give it better high end but less low end i think. Those smaller racing slicks should turn pretty easy.

 

[Wicked_Daddy]

So the stock jet was a 70 (as stamped on the jet). That Lifan engine came with the air kit on it but no other mods and it was running so lean that the spark plug would come out looking like new. Any throttle would cause it to sputter and struggle. I am surprised it ran at all. The jet kit I got had 3 jets, 85, 90, 95. I started with installing the 85 jet and I adjusted the idle mixture for optimum idle - just under 2 turns out.

What a difference! The engine pulls hard all the way through the range. The clutch issue was really caused by the weakness of the engine - that's gone. The plug is a nice tan with a little soot on the rim. I GPS'd the speed at 45mph. I can't imagine how this would perform with a full rebuild with all the fun parts.