Go Kart Newbie's First Thread

[WetPaperBag]

Hello All!

My name is Kris and today, I purchased my first go kart. Well, two actually. I just recently completed the build on my street legal dune buggy and was looking for something else fun to keep me occupied. (I'm addicted to toys.)

One is a Wisconsin engine and the other is a Honda, both 13hp. They both need a little TLC but, for what I traded for them I practically stole them.

Anyway, I know absolutely nothing about go karts but, I'm a hell of a learner and I'm looking forward to getting some great advice from all the seasoned vets in here.

As for right now, no big plans for them. Just a clean up, some minor repairs to make sure they get up and go and that'll be it until the seasons over. Then full tear downs for both with repaints and whatnot. Thanks for reading my post!

(Here's my big "go kart" I just finished)

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Welcome, Kris! You're definately in the right place, and looking at your buggy, you're going to have no problem with the karts. In fact, I'd wager by the time you're done, at least on of them'll looked like a scaled down version of your buggy. Once you start, you can't stop!!! Cheers- Chris

 

[WetPaperBag]

Thanks Toystory. I'm actually thinking about a rat rod look for one of them. Flat black, white walls with red trimmed rims, a little brass here and there, pinstriping. The other one will most likely be blue and gun metal.

Should be fun!

 

[mrfreyguy]

The karts look like they have lots of potential. I'm digging the rat rod idea. Could you give me some specs on the mini buggy?

 

[WetPaperBag]

The karts look like they have lots of potential. I'm digging the rat rod idea. Could you give me some specs on the mini buggy?

Not much to the dune buggy. It's mostly 1967 VW components with a few crazy ideas of my own mixed in there, like GSX-R front blinkers and home made LED rear blinkers, home made windshield and mounts, home made console, etc. etc.

Here's a link to my facebook album of it's progression.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=106182&id=507221574&l=3abb4fa93c

 

[WetPaperBag]

Wow. Can't believe it's only been a month. Seems like longer! Well since I've joined the Karting community, I've picked up another one. I found this 2 seater on Craigslist and stole it from the guy for $100. The 5hp Briggs needs TLC but, I just really wanted it as a rolling chassis to put my GX390 on.

I had a BBQ last Saturday and some of my buddies thought it would be cool to pose on all my toys.

Well, I thought I would start my thread back up because I've finally started working on the karts. I've removed the GX and did some cleanup. The paint is dry and the shroud and pull start are back on. This was on the black kart that had flipped so the muffler housing and air cleaner housing are all jacked up. Luckly my Uncle is a Honda dealer in central Missouri, so I'm waiting on some parts. Until then, I've gotten my new clutch and will be mocking it up in the 2 seater within the next day or two.

I shot the block and head with High Temp Semi-Gloss black. You can't really tell but everything else will be gun metal.

So, that's it for now. Hopefully time will allow me to have some more wrench time soon.

 

[redsox985]

Lookin' good! The street legal buggy is really nice. It looks like bare steel, that look is nice but doesn't last. Just wondering...how much did you "steal" those two carts for?

 

[WetPaperBag]

Just wondering...how much did you "steal" those two carts for?

I purchased a car audio system off of a friend who was really hurting for money for $200 that included 2 amps and 2 12" subs in a sealed box. The subs and box were too big for my Dodge Ram so I had them up on Craigslist for $150. I ended up trading them for the gokarts.

The Honda engine starts on 1st pull, the Wisconsin takes a pull or two but, I haven't even messed with it yet.

 

[redsox985]

Wow, you were practically giving those subs away (depending upon brand),

 

[WetPaperBag]

Rockford Phosgate P1s 4ohm SVC. They only retail for 109 but they were a year old, and I got them for next to nothing, so I came out ahead.

 

[DirtTrackRacer_07]

Those Rockford Phosgate speakers and amps sound good and they hit hard.

One of my buddies has got 2 350amp 10s and 500 amp amp and it will raddle everything in the truck but still got the good sound.

But i really like your dune buggy and good work so far on your carts.

You got some darn good deals too.

 

[steezy]

WHATS THAT LEVER THATS ON TOP OF THE BLOCK< ITS A LEVER i took that off and air and oil are coming out of it

 

[r97]

thats part of the gov depending on how much of it you took out you coul have disabled your gov and left a hole in your block

 

[WetPaperBag]

Take a look at this steezy.
http://dennyskaraoke.com/dennys_011.htm

 

[WetPaperBag]

This is for the GX200 but, I think the governor removal should be the same.

http://www.affordablegokarts.com/govenor-removal.php

 

[Blazkowiez]

Heh, I'd say Steezy is in for some fun... if he took off the "rod" then the pin leading to the governor dropped in the block, after 1 run this way the engine will be history.

 

[WetPaperBag]

Got to wrench on the karts a bit today. Removed the engine from my 2 seater and started to see how much fab I would need to get the GX390 in place.

Rolling Chassis (Had a bar dead center in the rear but had to take it off to clear the new engine.)

Out with the old, in with the BIGGER.

(I'm waiting on my new air filter and I'm cleaning up the exhaust soon, I just wanted to throw it back together for now.)

Setting it in for the 1st time. Moving the mounting plate is a MUST.

So, that's as far as I got. Will hopefully find the time this weekend to break out the cutting wheel and welder to see if I can't get this thing mounted up where it needs to be.

I'll also be figuring out a way to get my Golf Cart rims and tires on. I need about 2 more inches offset before they'll clear the frame.

 

[r97]

im so jelouse, youve got soooo much room on the back of that kart for moving the engine around, my kart clears every thing by 1/8", lol