Dirt Bike Engine or engine from Harbor Freight?

[Sdannenberg3]

hey guys, I am going to be building a new kart. I want to get a small like shifter kart frame and use it for some on road, but be able to put bigger tires on it for some gravel and dirt riding.

Here's my little dilemma I am facing. Should I get a honda knock off and a torque converter? Or should I get a 110cc dirt bike with 4 speed transmission? I would prefer to have the dirt bike engine, but will it be really complicated and expensive? And if i am in the dirt sliding around and stuff, I prolly wont be needing a 4 speed, but I just want one for those on road times too.

What are your guys' thoughts?

-Sdannenberg

 

[oscaryu1]

Do you off road or ride more?

 

[Sdannenberg3]

Umm, right now I do more off road because its just one speed and it we ahve this dirt lot we go to. But I am just thinking that its like $130 for the harbor freight engine, and like $150 for the torque converter, and I can get a new dirtbike engine with clutch and 4 speed for like $200 online. So I figure I get that so I can utilize it when i do use the kart on the road.

 

[crazycart]

I think youll be much more happy with a bike engine.I find that a manual clutch is wondeful for power when you really need it (revving engine up and dropping clutch)Go with the bike engine for sure.I mean im not saying the HF engines are bad, but the bike engine will have more power,and with gears a wide range of power.

 

[Sdannenberg3]

Aight, I think I will. but the only dirt bike engines i could find for around $200 were off brand hondas on ebay. And they were 110cc automatic and semi auto. Where can I find ones with a clutch? I know they are out there, I have a quad thats manual, but ss far as sites and all that. Just craigs list and ebay and the local paper?

 

[2or3wheels]

why not find a old dirt bike for under 150 bucks and rob the motor off that?

 

[crazycart]

You can do that also or even off of a small motorcycle for cheap.But those lifan engines are pretty nice engines.

 

[Sdannenberg3]

yeah, im looking for some old dirt bikes. Havnt been able to find many. But even if I find one for $150. I can almost get a brand new off brand dirt bike engine.