Father/Son Go-Kart Plans

[shoey]

Hello!

My father and I are hoping to make a somewhat fast go-kart mainly for cruising on the golf course at night. We will not be off-roading with it. If possible, we would like it to be two seater. Is that a good idea or will the weight of an extra person really throw the kart off?

Neither of us have any experience with this whatsoever, and we do not know how to weld or anything so most of the metal fabrication will need to be pre-made... That is another reason why I am not sure a two-seater will be tangible.

We will be on somewhat of a tight budget (probably no more than 500-700) for the entire project. We want this to work good and be somewhat fast the first time, so if that will not be enough to do this right, we may wait.

Could someone guide me on how to choose an engine? Also, if somebody has a link or can explain about the number of clutch/axle teeth and the consequences of different combos. If anyone knows of a "budget" pre-fab frame, that would be greatly appreciated?

Finally, if we do decide to make this, are there any tools which by buying, in the long run, we will save money?

Thank you for your time

Andrew

 

[Raywelder]

For a frame, check out craigslist. You can get a good frame for less than a 100 most likely.. As for an engine. I would get something over 5 hp. Briggs, Clone, honda, whatever you can get a hold of. Or you could use a dirtbike engine or something too.

 

[shoey]

What about a robin subaru 7hp engine?

Is there something that we should spend more on than another... like a slightly nicer frame and slightly cheaper engine? or vice versa? or anything?

 

[Tony]

i would get a snow mobile engine...or a clone. I would make a 2 seater frame if u can weld if not i would check craigslist for a frame and engine.

 

[mattlepperd]

Cruising on a golf course at night might lead to some fairly steep fines. I might rethink that aspect of it but wont 700.00 buy a sams club 2 seat go kart?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Cruising on a golf course at night might lead to some fairly steep fines.

ONLY IF HE GETS CAUGHT!

anyways, check craigslist for a cheap frame, i've seen some extremely cheap ones lately.

 

[PyroKart]

DO NOT BUY A PRE-BUILT GO-KART (like the one mattleperd suggested you get from sam's) BUY A FRAME AND PUT A BETTER ENGINE ON IT WILL BE CHEAPER and MORE FUN

 

[SpyGuy]

"It's only illegal if you get caught ......"

Check your local craigslist - kart frames are popping up there all the time. (Hmmm ... single-seater in Tucson, AZ, but needs a carb and pullstart ... $200) You can also check there for engines, or try Harbor Freight or northentool.com.

 

[Tony]

also you should hook up a altrenator and lights if it will be used at night

 

[shoey]

Cruising on a golf course at night might lead to some fairly steep fines. I might rethink that aspect of it but wont 700.00 buy a sams club 2 seat go kart?

Steep fines... ehh not likely
Buying a premade is not fun

ONLY IF HE GETS CAUGHT!

anyways, check craigslist for a cheap frame, i've seen some extremely cheap ones lately.

So true! I have been looking but there just doesn't seem to be very much choice here in Colorado....

DO NOT BUY A PRE-BUILT GO-KART (like the one mattleperd suggested you get from sam's) BUY A FRAME AND PUT A BETTER ENGINE ON IT WILL BE CHEAPER and MORE FUN

That's the plan

"It's only illegal if you get caught ......"

Check your local craigslist - kart frames are popping up there all the time. (Hmmm ... single-seater in Tucson, AZ, but needs a carb and pullstart ... $200) You can also check there for engines, or try Harbor Freight or northentool.com.

also you should hook up a altrenator and lights if it will be used at night

I was thinking that we would either get an alternator or just get a fairly nice deep cycle battery to power them and recharge it every so often...





Oh... I realized I forgot to quote the one saying that a snowmobile engine may be better??? Why is that? And are they around the same price?



Thanks guys~!

 

[Raywelder]

A subaru 7 wouldnt be too bad.
How about a briggs v-twin?

 

[shoey]

A subaru 7 wouldnt be too bad.
How about a briggs v-twin?

I just got into this so I am at a loss to what that is exactly!.. sorry

 

[pmat]

If your gonna be on a golf corurse, dont use a live axle, it will tear it right up on turns. get an engine with a good muffler! like a generator engine, but with a throttle. And a decent deep cycle will power $15 walmart lights that are plenty bright for hours upon hours...
good luck

 

[Raywelder]

If your gonna be on a golf corurse, dont use a live axle, it will tear it right up on turns. get an engine with a good muffler! like a generator engine, but with a throttle. And a decent deep cycle will power $15 walmart lights that are plenty bright for hours upon hours...
good luck

Some motors have stators in them to charge a battery. "Some" motors.

 

[pmat]

Some motors have stators in them to charge a battery. "Some" motors.

on smaller motors they are only a few amps, not enough to power 100w lights (8 amp) but i know bigger vtwins have 16 amp stators

 

[Raywelder]

on smaller motors they are only a few amps, not enough to power 100w lights (8 amp) but i know bigger vtwins have 16 amp stators

What about my opposed twin, I know it has one.

 

[pmat]

my onan opposed has one too :]

 

[PyroKart]

Snow-mobile engine is better because it has a higher RPM limit (more rpm= faster turning wheels= you go FASTER) however they (if i'am right) require some special fabrication that would require welding (i think) i.e. jackshaft