First kart, ZX7 Ninja engine.

[erix920]

Hey everyone!

This is going to be my first kart and I need lots of advice as I slowly read up on other peoples builds to get some idea about suspension, braking, steering and all that. I will post up ideas that I find or think of as time goes on.

As the title says, this beast will have a 4 cylinder 750cc ZX7 Ninja street bike motor in it. I'm curious as to what parts would be best suited for this project and what would stay together under the power that will be generated. Since it's a bike motor the transmission is attached so that will make this a shifter kart right? What are the standard engine sizes used in go karts and shifter karts?

I will be updating this first post with a parts list as I acquire them.

Parts on hand:

• ZX7 Ninja 750cc street bike engine

Thanks!

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. This should be an interesting build. Just make sure that your frame is super strong to handle all that power.

 

[fowler]

what sized kart are u looking at

that will best suit an offroad buggy or custom small car type frame

a standard race kart frame will need massive changes to handle that power
normally a shifter race kart is 125 to 250cc

to use all the power u need a proper chassis and a proper drive chain

 

[erix920]

Yes, I agree that a buggy type kart would be the best type with all the space to reinforce.

Would anyone here suggest 4 corner disk braking? If so, how do people properly attach the disk to the hub?

 

[redsox985]

I feel that this 750 would be better suited in a buggy as race slicks just don't have the friction available to transfer all that power. You'll be smoking tires left and right. If I were you, I would sell the 750, pick up something in the 125-250cc range and use that on a shifter kart. It may actually preform better because it will be able to transfer all of the power as well as weigh less. A 125cc 2 stroke can easily push 30 HP with light mods. That 750 is rated at 123 bHP. IMO, that's a lot for a shifter kart.

If you were to have a total change of heart and go with a buggy, check out www.edge.au.

The karter can't drive worth a lick and almost dies at the start, but look what 125cc's can do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bW6RC2vAFo

 

[OzFab]

I feel that this 750 would be better suited in a buggy

I would sell the 750, pick up something in the 125-250cc range and use that on a shifter kart. It may actually preform better because it will be able to transfer all of the power as well as weigh less. A 125cc 2 stroke can easily push 30 HP with light mods. That 750 is rated at 123 bHP. IMO, that's a lot for a shifter kart.

If you were to have a total change of heart and go with a buggy, check out www.edge.au.

Go the mini buggy. Yes, they're bigger & a bit more expensive & involved build wise but lots of fun too. I used to have a buggy with a suzuki 550cc & it screamed.
But, at the end of the day it comes down to versatility: Do you have somewhere to ride & store a buggy?

 

[redsox985]

But, at the end of the day it comes down to versatility: Do you have somewhere to ride & store a buggy?

This is why I mentioned selling the 750 and getting a 125-250 if a buggy wasn't an option. I feel 750 will actually be disappointing in a shifter kart. 3rd gear will probably lift the front tires if the rears don't break free.

 

[erix920]

There's no way this would go into a shifter kart frame. By shifter kart I meant that it's a bike motor so the transmission is already attached (as everyone here knows) sorry for the confusion. This thing will probably not be a street kart but rather an off roading kart with a strong roll cage, 5 point safety harness and paddle / off road tires.

The reason we are sticking to the 750cc is because we got it all for $150. However, this was just for the motor without wiring harness, gauges, radiator, chain, rear sprocket, brakes etc. However, this motor was fully rebuilt 4,000 miles ago so it was a steal. We have a shop with everything we'll ever need for fabrication. The things we don't know are best practices so we don't make mistakes others have made.

Yes, there are places to ride and store the buggy as well as means of transportation. There's no time limit or cost limit so we'd like to do this right and make it safe enough to take it to a track. There's no denying that this thing will move and stop.

For projects like these where the kart is pretty heavy, what do people use for suspension? Do they use them from ATVs and dirtbikes or from somewhere else?

Thanks!

 

[fowler]

www.edge.au.com

Check the piranha

 

[johnb]

Erix920,how did this project turn out?Just curious because I have a 2002 ZX750 that I am putting on an E-Racer frame.Do you have any pics of the progress or finished kart?