First ever mini project

[Lefturns75]

I just traded for a Azusa Mini Bike kit and plan to go ahead and build the thing. I have read many threads in this forum which have some great info but there are a couple questions I have that I KNOW you great guys here can answer. I understand in my searching that the Predator engine (212) will have to be off-set to get the sprockets to line up when using a CC only. Some photos I have looked at show this and some do not. This Mini has the 5" wheels and will only be used on flat land or pavement, no hills. I have also seen the CC mounted with the drive sprocket away from the engine and also mounted next to the engine. My questions are which clutch to choose and what about the engine mount plate? My other option is a 3hp briggs. I would rather use the Predator as I have a couple of those. Any other things to watch for when putting this thing together? I am picking it up this afternoon.

 

[mckutzy]

Position the clutch in whatever manner you need to, If the rear sprocket can't be moved.

 

[landuse]

Have a look at this thread

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25604

 

[Lefturns75]

Ok guys, here is an update on my little mini project. This is the first mini I have ever owned let alone worked on. Thank you Landuse for the thread you pointed me to in your reply, it helped in many ways. After a little confusion, this went pretty straight forward and I will do another at some point. I used a Predator with the exhaust upgrade, air filter and re-jetted the carb. I left the Gov. on and did no other mods. Clutch is a max torque 12 tooth with 72 on the drive wheel. I am guessing I best be careful as I figure this thing will wheelie all day. Here is a mock-up pic and I hope to have it going in a day or two. This forum has been VERY helpful and I plan to stay around for a while.

 

[promccown]

Did you offset your gas tank a bit?

 

[DirtyDamage]

Looks good, although personally I wouldn't do strait yellow, maybe yellow and some other ascent color, nothing major just a personal opinion....love that shade of yellow though!

 

[Lefturns75]

Promccown, no, I did not offset the fuel tank. From some reading on this forum, I found that the Calif. version of the predator has the cap located in a different spot and causes some problems. This engine is not the Calif. version and is Item #69730--the non Hemi version. I have no problems with the frame or filler cap. Dirty, I went with the solid color as it was what I had on hand. Also since this the first mini I have ever attempted I just went the easy way first. I am sure I will do another and will try some different things next time as I can see things now I would do different. This is pretty good fun for a guy in his second childhood.

 

[landuse]

You are doing great! Soon you will have a fleet of the things

 

[chancer]

That looks great. I never had much interest in mini bikes, so I just noticed there are no foot pegs, but you already painted it. Do they usually have foot pegs? Do they bolt on or something?

 

[NinjaRay]

That mini bike looks awesome in yellow ! spray paint ?

 

[Lefturns75]

Chancer, I never had much interest in them either but after doing all the reading about them here and running across this kit on a trade I figured to give one a try. The photo was taken while still getting things together and yes, it has bolt on foot pegs. On the next one, I may take a different approach. NinjaRay, the paint is just plain old rattle can paint over white primer. The photo makes it look much better than it really is.

 

[Lefturns75]

OK guys, got this little bomb together and went for a test run. Since this is the very first mini I have ever owned AND the first time I have rode one, this little sucker scared the living crap out of this old guy! I tried to be extra easy on the throttle as I first took off and ended up crossing the yard with my head between the handle bars, front wheel off the ground and feet behind me. I managed to keep it up and get to a stop. After changing my BVD's and getting my heart rate somewhere below 150 I tried again and things went much better. I only lost the chain once and think I had it too loose. For some reason chain, sprockets and me don't seem to get along too well. I think adding a tensioner might help this one. All you mini pros out there go ahead and laugh, I know it must have looked funny. I will fab up a clutch/chain guard as the one that came with the kit does not fit. With some practice, I think I can have some fun with this thing.

 

[Lefturns75]

I'm Lost

Ok guys, I know this has to be simple but I'm lost here. I get about 10 min. or less time on this mini and I lose the chain. I have tightened, loosened, adjusted and cussed but nothing I am doing is working. Everything at the rear wheel is tight and turns true. The engine shaft is not bent, the clutch spins easily and both sprockets are for the #35 chain I have. The chain grinds, pops, klunks and grinds no matter what I do. It is the Azusa supplied chain and I have cleaned it and soaked it in oil/tranny fluid twice. I have lined the sprockets up with two different straight edge tools and I get the same problem. I have marked the engine placement and know it is not moving. I have seen 12 year old kids put on a chain and ride all day with no problem. What the heck am I doing wrong???? I have used some machine washers to space the clutch first one way and then the other and it don't walk around. Here are some pics, if you wish for more I will gladly post them. I don't know what to do next so please help. Would a tensioner solve this problem?

[/IMG]

 

[Poboy kartman]

Well...it's really hard to check alignment on that backwards clutch....we need a shot right on top of it....but....even in the cock-eyed partial pics....I think I see an alignment issue....motor looks cocked to me....and that's where it doesn't take much....

Being off a hair but parallel won't throw a chain nearly as fast....

Post some pics rifle sight style...straight down the chain where we can see both sprockets....

 

[Lefturns75]

Poboy will these help you any? If not I will take more.

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o644/Gloozalot/Kart%20Project/DSCN3738_zpsh5mkuxws.jpg[/IMG
[IMG]http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o644/Gloozalot/Kart%20Project/DSCN3739_zpsjlp8zsoh.jpg

 

[DirtyDamage]

Looks a little tilted and cockeyed.


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[Poboy kartman]

Looks a little tilted and cockeyed.


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Yep...see that bow in the chain in pic #1?

 

[DirtyDamage]

Sure do. Maybe elevate that side of the engine with washers to get rid of the tilt?


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[Lefturns75]

Shucks, with these darn try-focals I have to wear, EVERYTHING looks tilted and cockeyed to me! Left, right, up, down? I am about to put this thing in the barn and forget it.

---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 PM ----------

OK, I see what you are talking about. I will try some washers on the clutch side and see what I get. I am thinking I should get the 12 year old neighbor kid to do this. At least his eye sight is better than mine!! LOL!

 

[Poboy kartman]

Well...not only that....but what I'm seeing is the front of the motor needs to move to the left....put a straightedge on the bell....and then measure to the front and rear of the wheel sprocket...

By putting it on the top and then the bottom....you can also check your vertical alignment as well....