ferio 1st and custom shifter kart build!!

[ferio]

Hello all. Im new here, and i picked up my first kart. Here she is!

I know i know, its missing stuff. Its a coyote wide track something something that i got for 220 bucks. I think it was a good price. Theres a guy selling a 85' suzuki 550cc motor im thinking about using. But the back up motor i want to buy is a lifan 125cc 4 spd motor. I have a couple questions about the kart since i have no experience when it comes to building a kart, or karting in general.. what do i need for the rear wheel to go on? I know i have a hub on 1 side, but what else is needed?

I know i need a snap ring, but what else is needed? Will a wheel just fit on there?
Heres the master cylinder. What is missing from here? I assume the cap where youd put the brake fluid in?

Is this where the brake caliper would mount to? I think it is, but like i said, no idea. Lol. Should i get a new brake rotor? I dont think its like a car thatll generate enough heat to get the rust off.


Does another bearing hanger go here? I think it goes there.. maybe to reduce flexing of the axle??

Now on to my plans. I want to make it a shifter kart out of a regular kart. I plan on making the shifter a regular stick so i can grab it with my right hand, and the clutch pedal on the floor.. itll be like a car. This build wont be a quick build, itll be a year long project that i want to take steps at a time.. so my first step, is to get the kart rolling.. so can anyone help a brother out?

 

[DirtyDamage]

Shifter karts and two strokes in general are extremely expensive and overall a major headache imo. I suggest picking up a HF engine, and throwing a stage kit on, you'll have some engine experience after too, and later can make it a shifter, just my two cents.

 

[itsid]

well ...
550cc... DON'T!
there is tons and tons of stuff you'd need to upgrade (first and foremost the axle itself)
and all you will end up with is a money pit that you can call death trap.
Neither is actually really fun to deal with

So yeah, 125cc Lifan is much more reasonable.
Now, if you do not put a shifter on, you will need to change the axle sprocket, otherwise you will not get it to move at all I'm afraid.

And no, the wheel does NOT need a snapring, it get's bolted to the hub you have (that's a std racing hub... likely US size, since that's a 1" axle obviously and metrics aren't available that flimsy

The Mastercylinder should see a complete rebuilt IYAM; just to be sure.
a failing brake is nothing you want to experience in -well almost- any kart.
And yes, that's where your caliper would mount, and I think under racing conditions a brake will polish that disc rather nicely..
BUT, a freshly rebuild master, a new caliper and then a disc like that to save a few dollars?
Nope, replace it, safety is key and if nothing else the brake should work perfectly

Where was I.. yes, you can add a third bearing retainer and bearing, generally it's removed when the karts set up for wet tracks to allow a more flexible frame and axle.

BTW the Lifan is available in semi-auto (shift gears.. no clutch!) much better than to deal with an additional pedal on the already narrow floorpan

'sid

 

[ferio]

Thanks!! Thats what i wanted to read! I figured that 550cc would be a blast to drive, but the lifan does seem like a better option. So since im missing one hub, when i get another, will i have to measure how far the old one is to the edge, so the new hub will be equal?
When looking for a hub, they had an option for a 5/16 bolt or a 1/4 bolt.. is that the length of the bolt? Or thickness?
So your saying replace the disc rotor?
The master cylinder i have has 2 lines coming from it.. does the caliper have a piston on both sides?
I know the lifan comes in a semi auto set up, but i want the clutch lol. Im not worried about how much thiskart will cost since im not planning on riding for another year or so, so id rather do the set that I want than to save bucks and get the common part..

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And i kind of figured how to set up the clutch pedal, but not entirely sure yet.. its a work in progress. As of now, i just want to get it rolling on all 4 wheels.. so can i get nice wide tires for the back? Like a 7 inch rim?

 

[OzFab]

when i get another, will i have to measure how far the old one is to the edge, so the new hub will be equal?

No, you set both hubs on the ends of the axle...

When looking for a hub, they had an option for a 5/16 bolt or a 1/4 bolt.. is that the length of the bolt? Or thickness?

That's the bolt diameter (thickness); go for 5/16"

Also, IIWM, I'd buy a pair of hubs...

The master cylinder i have has 2 lines coming from it.. does the caliper have a piston on both sides?

Usually, yes

And i kind of figured how to set up the clutch pedal, but not entirely sure yet.. its a work in progress.

The simplest way is to mount a lever on the shifter...

 

[BirdFanatic]

The axle i has on my 125 was a 40mm with a huge 420 dirt bike chain wide kart very wide and this is for a 125 not a 500 .

 

[ferio]

No, you set both hubs on the ends of the axle...
Well yea thats what i mean..but how far from the end do i go?


That's the bolt diameter (thickness); go for 5/16"

Also, IIWM, I'd buy a pair of hubs...
New hubs then? Thats what i was thinking since its like 11 bucks for one.. And they have different colors lol.


Usually, yes



The simplest way is to mount a lever on the shifter...

Indeed, i want the shifter to be in arms reach like how a car is..

One step at a time... So whats that snap ring at the end for? The rim hole is like twice the size of the axle, isnt it?

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And what are them bolts going into the hub for? Are they the studs you use on the wheel? Or the slides on and a nut goes on the end like a lug nut? I assumed there would be a stud that screws into the hub AFTER the wheel goes on?

Anywho, heres the hubs im looking to get. Will these be good?
https://www.bmikarts.com/Lightened-Aluminum-Racing-Wheel-Hub-1-Bore-_p_1630.html

 

[OzFab]

So whats that snap ring at the end for?

To prevent the hub from sliding off the axle, just in case the hub mounting bolts fail...

The rim hole is like twice the size of the axle, isnt it?

... but it's not twice the size of the hub, is it?

And what are them bolts going into the hub for? Are they the studs you use on the wheel?

They're called wheel studs... 'nuf said?

Or the slides on and a nut goes on the end like a lug nut? I assumed there would be a stud that screws into the hub AFTER the wheel goes on?

Can you rephrase that

Anywho, heres the hubs im looking to get. Will these be good?
https://www.bmikarts.com/Lightened-Aluminum-Racing-Wheel-Hub-1-Bore-_p_1630.html

Assuming you have a 1" axle (which I suspect you don't) they would be fine...

 

[ferio]

Id have to measure the axle, but why dont you think i have a 1 inch? If not, itll probably be a 1 1/4?

About the wheel studs part that needs rephrasing, are the studs the bolts with the allan key head? After you put the wheel on, is a volkswagen set up where the studs go though the wheel and bolt to the hub, or is it like a regular car where after you put the wheel on, you put a lug nut on?

 

[Joe-405]

some of those lifans are clutchless but still shift fyi

 

[ferio]

Yeah i know, but i want the one with the clutch. Dont want no clutchless nonsense! Lol.

 

[landuse]

Welcome

 

[OzFab]

Id have to measure the axle, but why dont you think i have a 1 inch?

Based on the surrounding parts, it appears larger than 1" to me...

About the wheel studs part that needs rephrasing, are the studs the bolts with the allan key head?

Yes

After you put the wheel on, is a volkswagen set up where the studs go though the wheel and bolt to the hub, or is it like a regular car where after you put the wheel on, you put a lug nut on?

Either way will work; personally, I prefer to mount the wheel on studs & use lug nuts...

 

[ferio]

Welcome

Thank you sir!

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Ok so just so i get this right, the hub should be butt up against the snap ring?? Or should there be a space between the end of the hub, and the snap ring?im asking because My axle dont have the keyway groove all the way from one end to the other. Its in sections. Tomorrow when i get paid, im getting new hubs(once i measure the diameter of course) and maybe a seat.. the steering wheel i have is a bit trashed, but i think i should parts that i dont have lol.. i might save my money this week, and when i get paid next week, just go hard on parts lol! No feeling like having a cart with like 6+ items all coming the same day!!

 

[ferio]

Right, so i decided to forget about the lifan motor as i will be picking up a '85 cr125 engine for 175 bucks! Going to get it tomorrow afternoon, and sometime after that, i will be doing a teardown to see what needs replacing. Ive been looking at the wesico piston with the aftermarket crank so as much as im hoping the engine/trans is good, i wouldnt mind rebuilding it. Gasket rebuild kit will be coming after i open the motor up.

 

[landuse]

Right, so i decided to forget about the lifan motor as i will be picking up a '85 cr125 engine for 175 bucks! Going to get it tomorrow afternoon, and sometime after that, i will be doing a teardown to see what needs replacing. Ive been looking at the wesico piston with the aftermarket crank so as much as im hoping the engine/trans is good, i wouldnt mind rebuilding it. Gasket rebuild kit will be coming after i open the motor up.

Sounds good. That engine should serve you well

 

[ferio]

Its actually a 84, and i found out about the whole magnesium water pump cover, and it rotting.. might look at it, but im not at the stage where i should be looking at motors. It was a great deal until i did some digging. Might blow 2 weeks of checks on the kart to get it rolling.

 

[ferio]

Got the motor! Ill upload pics tomorrow. The water pump cover looks pretty decent, and the case was fixed by the previous previous owner, and im going to test it by pouring fluid and see if it drains down in...im going to place my order for new hubs, snap rings, keystock, and master cylinder rebuild kit. Bigger stuff next week! Might dive into tearing the motor down and checking everything. I hope all 6 gears work!

 

[ferio]

Heres the motor!

Another.


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Not sure what this is, but it goes in the cylinder.

Pic of the cylinder walls, going to tear it down, but it looks good!


---------- Post added at 01:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:04 AM ----------

 

[Joe-405]

Those things that you don't know are reeds. That's what gives 2 stroke engines their power. If you have ridden a 2 stroke it almost feels like boost or a shot of nitrous when it hits.

DO NOT BEND THEM. They are fragile if anything is broke or if they are not sealing properly to the casing around them they won't work and your engine will not run correctly.

And if this engine was in a shifter kart before it may be missing some gears FYI. It's a old karting trick to lose some weight.