First Kart RestoMod

[jjensen]

I just purchased a little single seater for $167. Here is what i know...

212cc Predator Engine (2 hours on motor)
Fixed Axle (One wheel Wonder)
Old School Breaks
5 inch wheels with 10 Inch tires on back
3.5 inch wheels with 8? inch tires on front




It currently runs and drives PERFECTLY! But....

I plan on doing a few things to this kart this winter with my buddies, we are all Mechanical Engineering students with full access to a big shop including water jet, mini mills, cnc, laser engravers, welders ect...

I would like to keep the mods under $150 but we'll see what happens.

Here are the plans:
ADD KILL SWITCH!
1" Live Axle Conversion
Mechanical Disk, or Drum brakes
Hand Controlled Throttle and Breaks
Roll-Bar or cage
Side body Panels and Splash guards
New seat (maybe)
Re-Paint in forest green
Paint wheels Gold

 

[2SlickNick]

Looks nice! $167 is an oddball amount.

You guys must have been haggling to the dollar amount.


Oh ya.....

 

[jjensen]

Looks nice! $167 is an oddball amount.

You guys must have been haggling to the dollar amount.


Oh ya.....

Haha it was $500 for 3 split with my buddies. No haggling necessary

 

[6StringMercenary]

Don't forget a Lamborghini-inspired rear-wing for downforce when you're screaming down the road! That said, if you can design something cool, go wild.

Also, if you can pick up cheap parts and size them properly, y'all might be able to whip up something like an electric supercharger to enhance performance somewhat. I'm still researching them, but if you can afford the parts and solve the puzzle for your application, it's the *new hotness* of the auto world. Kia's debuting a car with one this year in Paris.

 

[jjensen]

Went out for a little 3 mile ride this morning on both pavement and trails. Top speed was 29.4mph with an average of around 20mph. It was a blast! Adding air filter, jetting and exhaust to the to do list!

 

[jjensen]

A little digging and it looks like I have a Manco Quicksilver. It's like a little brother to the 415. This name may inspire the paint when I get to that. We'll see

 

[jjensen]

Could also be a 405? Not really sure...

I went for a ride the other night and my top speed was 31mph. However when I for to full throttle the engine would kick off and on, Is this just the governor doing its job?

 

[jjensen]

Alright.... Well it's starting to get cold out.... Time to start the mods. First is the repaint and live axle. I'm going to go scrapping and see what I can find to work with.

Any recommendations of what to look for?

 

[firemanjim]

I wouldn't change it to a live axle....... My daughters 2 seater has the same engine, wheels,and brakes..... I love it.... It's the fastest kart we have and it does close to 40.....

 

[jjensen]

I wouldn't change it to a live axle....... My daughters 2 seater has the same engine, wheels,and brakes..... I love it.... It's the fastest kart we have and it does close to 40.....

Hmmmmmm..... Well that would leave a lot of extra money for cool stuff.... I end up on a lot of dirt trails so I was thinking the live would be an advantage, but It's not like I go through thick mud or anything.

My one complaint is that when I am at full throttle it kicks in and out which can be a little sketchy on dirt. I was thinking with the live axle it would at least leap forward instead of to the right.

I'm going to try to make an air filter adapter tomorrow from a pvc end cap and cone filter. We'll see how it goes.

 

[n3480h]

My one complaint is that when I am at full throttle it kicks in and out which can be a little sketchy on dirt.

Is the low oil sensor still connected? Mine did the same thing, until I unplugged the sensor.

 

[jjensen]

Is the low oil sensor still connected? Mine did the same thing, until I unplugged the sensor.

Nope. Low oil sensor is removed

 

[Badot]

Possibly bouncing off the governor.

On the old harbor freight engines there's a throttle stop screw that could be removed to let the engine rev up to around 4200 RPM and give it a little more grunt when engaging a centrifugal clutch -- I assume it would be the same for the Predator line as well. If it starts surging at 36 mph rather than 31 after backing it out, that's your problem.

 

[jjensen]

Possibly bouncing off the governor.

On the old harbor freight engines there's a throttle stop screw that could be removed to let the engine rev up to around 4200 RPM and give it a little more grunt when engaging a centrifugal clutch -- I assume it would be the same for the Predator line as well. If it starts surging at 36 mph rather than 31 after backing it out, that's your problem.

I will give that a try! Thanks!

 

[jeepguy79]

If you want the controls all on the steering like you stated you should pick up a Honda fl350 odyssey steering wheel. they have a thumb throttle, brake levers to control front and rear brakes (you could add cheap Chinese front drum brakes later and use it), and it has a shut off/run switch on the wheel as well. It also has switches for lights, high/low beam and a start button. so if you upgrade the motor later to say an electric start predator 420 or Honda gx390 etc. you could hook up some lights and have electric start right on the wheel.