Go Kart Project

[Sanman]

I've acquired a couple Go Karts to work on and bring to life. I've never done this before, but have always wanted to. So, I was scanning the internet looking for information and I found this forum. What an incredible place this is! So for my first question. Does anyone have an idea of what brand my go karts are?

As you can see, my youngest son and I have already disassembled the red one and are now preping for paint. He doesn't know about the blue one... yet.

 

[OzFab]

What an incredible place this is!

Yes it is

No, seriously, this is one of the better forums when you consider the content & the member base; we can get a bit nuts sometimes but, that makes it fun & keeps it interesting so, welcome to the nut house

 

[Poboy kartman]

Here we go again. ... New guy coming on not only posting pictures but filling out his profile. ....

Once again- new members take notice. ...this is how you join a forum.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And thank you so much for putting some effort into your original post and your gracious and may I say- very observant assessment of this forum. ...

You will undoubtedly fit right in and find quality answers to any questions.

 

[Half-breeder]

I've acquired a couple Go Karts to work on and bring to life. I've never done this before, but have always wanted to. So, I was scanning the internet looking for information and I found this forum. What an incredible place this is! So for my first question. Does anyone have an idea of what brand my go karts are?

Welcome again... I cant tell you the company name(s) of your karts... but Ive found in the year, that Ive been doing the 'kart thing'... the name brand dont matter other than personal satisfaction of knowing(except the karts that come factory w/ lights... then the name 'brand' is handy to know. The lil blue one looks modded IMO... but pretty sure you can knock Manco off the list of possibilities of them being. The other... 'if' I HAD to guess... Carter Bros. maybe?

So... what are your expectations for these karts... performance wise? Are you after speed, power or alil of both? Were you shooting for on or off road? What was the TOP speed you were wanting to attain? What all do you have asfar as parts/motor(s). What kinda budget line were you allowing for the builds? What kinda experience do you have w/ small engine movers? Sorry for asking all these questions... but we crave detail, when assisting someone. What some call 'long winded' we like to call 'descriptive'... so dont be afraid to 'share'... heck we even have a off topic(off the wall subject matter) thread.

... and welcome again!

 

[Sanman]

Thanks for the warm welcome. What is my vision for these karts? Well, that's a difficult question, mostly because it's evolving. When I first got the karts I was just going to get them working for the kids and call it good, but then diykarts came into my life. Now "good enough" is no longer good enough.

So, Things I need to remember.
1-The karts are for the kids, and need to stay that way. I have my own VW transformed into a poor man's dune-buggy that I can play on.
2-Budget... I don't mind spending some money on the karts. I fully expect that as the kids become better drivers, and remain interested, I'll be looking into a torque converter and more horse power. So for now Keep It Simple and Safe will be the flavor.
3-The karts will be used mostly for dirt roads. They don't need to travel faster than 25 mph (for now). Acceleration is more important than top speed. Especially when we go down to the river, lots of great tracks down there with lots of turns.
4-Engines: I have a B&S and a Honda, both 5 hp. The B&S came with the kart, well used, but runs and no governor. The Honda is on an old power washer that is not worth fixing. The motor has been well cared for and still has the governor.
5-Getting headlights and taillights is a must. We live in the country surrounded by agriculture, and it's really fun to cruise around fields and orchards in the evening. I've read some threads on lighting. I've got a couple power backup batteries that I can use, but I really would like to increase the motor's amp output for charging.
6-Bigger tires! A side from the coolness, there is no suspension and I figure some big knobby rear tires will smooth out the bumps in the field.

That's a long way of saying I'm looking for opinions on tires, gears, and headlights.

 

[Half-breeder]

Gotcha!... well... bigger tires WILL soften up the ride(and look cooler!)... and if your not going over 25mph(IMO) the gearing will determine on the size tire. A 7.5:1 ratio w/ 16"wheels will go bout 22mph at governor limit(3600rpms)... but youlll need a JShaft to get that ratio. If you plan on running larger than #35 chain, you can go w/ a 10T clutch, then get a 75T to attain the same thing(#35 chain smallest cent clutch is a 12T... 40/41 chain can house a 10T) but seeing that your going off road... ull need the clearance... so youll wanna run a smaller gear at the axle, which inturn would be compensated by the JShafts gearing.

So you can see the difference in tire size n gearing... This is 7.5:1 on 10" wheels=14-15mph... and this is 7.5:1 on 16" wheels=22-25mph.

 

[OzFab]

Lights are gonna be the fun part as neither engine is equipped with electric start, therefore, no battery to power the lights...

 

[Sanman]

A 7.5:1 ratio w/ 16"wheels will go bout 22mph at governor limit(3600rpms)... but youlll need a JShaft to get that ratio. If you plan on running larger than #35 chain, you can go w/ a 10T clutch, then get a 75T to attain the same thing

Great info!

Lights are gonna be the fun part as neither engineis equipped with electric start, therefore, no battery to power the lights...

I know! It's starting to feel like an obsession. Adding a battery is easy, and using a little wall charger is a beginning point, but I've got to find a way to produce some more electricity so the battery can charge.

 

[firemanjim]

Pretty sure you can buy an alternator kit for both engines. I know honda makes a gx160 electric start engines. They have the alternators...... pretty sure briggs does too......

 

[Sanman]

Pretty sure you can buy an alternator kit for both engines. I know honda makes a gx160 electric start engines. They have the alternators...... pretty sure briggs does too......

Do I have to get a different flywheel too, or does the alternator work with the standard magnets on the original flywheel?

Also, we are now primed. In the fist pic you can see part of my "bone yard" and the Dune Buggy!

 

[Sanman]

Do I have to get a different flywheel too, or does the alternator work with the standard magnets on the original flywheel?

Found the answer. I know a guy that has a small engine shop and I spoke with him this morning. I would need to find a flywheel to go with the alternator. The standard flywheel doesn't have the magnets that are needed. Then he wished me luck in finding that for a 5 hp. So, looks like we'll be charging the battery manually.

 

[rocketkart]

you can use one of these i got them on my off road kart's http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Bicycle...amo-Headlight-Tail-Light-12V-6W-/370861666410 only down part is thay want run unless your tire is spining but it's cheap and simple.

 

[Sanman]

you can use one of these i got them on my off road kart's http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Bicycle...amo-Headlight-Tail-Light-12V-6W-/370861666410 only down part is thay want run unless your tire is spining but it's cheap and simple.

I've thought about using one of those little generators, but I wasn't sure about whether or not they were durable enough for a kart. When I was a kid I had a friend that had one on his bike. Of course we all thought his bike was the coolest! Can you send me a pic showing how you have it mounted?

We had fun painting last night. Tonight we'll paint the engine & rims.

 

[rocketkart]

I don't have the kart with me at this time but if i get a chance to i'll go out to my shop and take some pic's.

 

[Sanman]

I don't have the kart with me at this time but if i get a chance to i'll go out to my shop and take some pic's.

That would be great!

We now have the kart up and running and need to make some simple modifications:
1-Padded Seat - Mom is going to help us here. She just got a new sewing machine for Christmas and is reluctant to let us use it.
2-Lights - I expect that two 12V DC lamps will be best, suggestions?
I'll also have a 12V battery on the kart. Thinking about the bicycle generator and whether it would be durable enough for a kart.
3-Rear Tires - http://www.quickieparts.com/tires--...-15x600-6-turf-style-2-ply-tubeless-tire.html with these wheels http://www.quickieparts.com/go-kart---mini-bike-parts/379-go-kart-split-rim-for-a-6-tire.html
How do I know if the current hubs I have on the 5" wheels will work on these 6"?

The maiden voyage...
Well, tried to upload the video a couple of times, but it didn't work. I must not be doing something right.

 

[qtband]

I think if you use LED lights, they will be a better choice for you. Less drain on the battery means less charging.

 

[Sanman]

Electrical question

Ok, I finally have some time to get back to the go kart.

The lights are ordered and on their way. I bought 2 for headlights, but haven't done anything yet for tail lights. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008KXDO8Y/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Those of you who have some electrical expertise, I would like to use a small 12v battery that I have to increase time between charging. The battery packs that come with them are each 8.4v. Can I just wire the lights in directly to the 12v battery, or do I have to get something to step the voltage down? I don't want to burn out the LED.

 

[OzFab]

Short answer, no, you can't push 12v into an 8.4v battery or the light, you will burn them out, you will need some sort of resistor.

LEDs can take any voltage depending on the resistor fitted to them; I can't remember the formula right now but any good electronics store should be able to help you &/or have a look at this site for some pointers

I'm not suggesting you place a second resistor in the circuit (the LEDs are already fitted with one), I'm suggesting you replace the existing resistor which may or may not be possible...

If you intended to use a 12v battery, why not just buy 12v lights in the first place instead of 8.4v? Trying to get 8.4v lights to work in a 12v system seems like a bit too much work to me

IIWM, cancel the order & find some 12v lights; there's plents of them to choose from...

 

[albersinmas]

I've acquired a couple Go Karts to work on and bring to life. I've never done this before, but have always wanted to. So, I was scanning the internet looking for information and I found this forum. What an incredible place this is! So for my first question. Does anyone have an idea of what brand my go karts are?

As you can see, my youngest son and I have already disassembled the red one and are now preping for paint. He doesn't know about the blue one... yet.

View attachment 43961View attachment 43962

View attachment 43963View attachment 43964

it's good ....... maybe you can help me ?? how to make it ??

 

[albersinmas]

I've thought about using one of those little generators, but I wasn't sure about whether or not they were durable enough for a kart. When I was a kid I had a friend that had one on his bike. Of course we all thought his bike was the coolest! Can you send me a pic showing how you have it mounted?

We had fun painting last night. Tonight we'll paint the engine & rims.

good ... think to use the spray to painting it