Go kart questions

[highwaystar]

I picked this up recently. I am wanting to use it as a yard kart. To do so I need larger front wheels and rear wheels (right now I do not have any rears).

I was thinking 6" wheels for the rear and 5" or 6" for the front and using a turf style tire.

I was hoping you guys could point me to a set that will bolt up to this thing.

After Christmas is over I may post up a "wanted" thread. Right now I am just trying to figure out what I should be looking for.

As for power, I have a Tecumseh 5hp OHV that will go on it. It would be killer to put two two strokes on it, but that is a bit costly for something my family is going to use around our yard.

Here is a pic of the rear of the kart:

 

[highwaystar]

If you guys need better pics, please let me know.

Sorry for asking what I am sure most think is a "stupid newbie question". I just want to know what I need to get wheels on this thing. It looks like a well made frame and should be a fun project for myself and my kids.

 

[Half-breeder]

If you guys need better pics, please let me know.

Sorry for asking what I am sure most think is a "stupid newbie question". I just want to know what I need to get wheels on this thing. It looks like a well made frame and should be a fun project for myself and my kids.

Well... being a person that took a 'toy' yard kart...

and turned into...

... all Im gonna say bout going bigger drive/rear tires is you'll probably have to change your ratio some to get the 'same' response/speed as you do/did w/ smaller racing slicks.

Depending on 'how far' off road/yard you're planning on going will determine a reasonable recommendation of wheel size(s). Round here(DIYgokarts) we, normally, associate the 'tire' size, and not so much the 'rim' size. Depending on the 'type' of hubs youre running will also determine the 'type' of rim youll be able to use. You currently seem to have a vintage racing(road/track) kart w/ a very large axle(maybe 1 1/4?!). Which will limit the variety(if any) of rims that will house larger tires, that will actually 'fit' on your hub.

W/ these factors to consider... "yes" please post more/better pics. A walk round vid would be better... but w/out seeing/knowing what you 'have' currently... troubleshooting your 'wants' will be limited.

 

[OzFab]

There are no "stupid newbie question", we all started somewhere &, in most cases, it was by asking "stupid newbie question"

The first thing you need to do is figure out the bolt hole circle of the wheel hubs. Measure from the centre of one stud/bolt hole diagonally across the hub to the centre of the appropriate stud/bolt hole.
Tip: an easy way to measure centre to centre is to measure from inside to inside & add the diameter of the hole/stud

Maybe a few more pics of the whole kart isn't a bad idea; if we can ID the frame, we'd have a better idea of what to look for...

 

[highwaystar]

Thanks man!

You can't tell in the pic, but it was pouring rain and about 35 degrees when I took that pic. I was trying tohurry, I didn't realize I had the tape upside down until I uploaded the pic. I will get better pics.

I would like to run a 6" wheel with a 13.5 tire on the rear and 6" front with a lower profile front tire. The kart would be used on a heavy gravel lane that has not been maintained and has grass growing over it.

I have thought about having a machinist I know look at it to see if we could maybe machine a pre-existing wheel or maybe just make new centers.

 

[highwaystar]

I'm pretty sure it is a '61 Sears Racing Kart.

Here are some more pics.

 

[Poboy kartman]

There are no "stupid newbie question", we all started somewhere &, in most cases, it was by asking "stupid newbie question"

Tip: an easy way to measure centre to centre is to measure from inside to inside & add the diameter of the hole..

An even easier way is to measure from the outside edge of one hole to the inside edge of the other. That's the same as center to center.

 

[OzFab]

An even easier way is to measure from the outside edge of one hole to the inside edge of the other. That's the same as center to center.

Try that with verniel calipers...

 

[zbuck]

Most people can not sifer Verniel calipers/height gages or Mics. Seems everything is Digital. Use fabroman measuring advice. Poboy, I am not saying your idea is wrong, have used it many times.

 

[highwaystar]

The axle is 3/4" the hub has a 5 hole pattern with 4" spacing.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

An even easier way is to measure from the outside edge of one hole to the inside edge of the other. That's the same as center to center.

Exactly what I do. More accurate than try to guess where the centers are.

 

[Poboy kartman]

This brings up an interesting question: do the same rules apply for gokart wheels as automobiles?

With automobiles, 4 lug wheels are measured center to center, however 5 lug wheels are measured from the outside edge of one hole to the center of the other.

 

[firemanjim]

Ive NEVER seen 5 lug KART wheels....? But I would assume you measure the same as a car. Could those be hubs for 3 bolt wheels, with just extra sets of holes, and not a 5 lug hub?

 

[OzFab]

They appear to have 12 holes so, they're not 5 stud (there's no possible combination to evenly fit 5 into 12). I would assume they're multiple 4 stud...

 

[highwaystar]

Sorry about the tape being upside down and not relevant to anything, but here is a better pic of the hub.

There are 5 threaded holes in the hub.

When I measure across in a star pattern like I would on a full size car it measures 4".

I hope the pic helps. I would like to find some wheels that just bolt on.

 

[OzFab]

Umm, did you forget something?

4 on 4" is a common bolt circle, you should have no problem finding wheels for it; the 5 threaded holes confuses me though...

 

[highwaystar]

Here is a better pic.

 

[highwaystar]

I found these on epay. They look like they would work. but I would like 6" if I can find them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/m9-go-kart-...pt=Race_Car_Parts&hash=item3388e8caea&vxp=mtr

 

[OzFab]

Well, there goes my last comment, there isn't 12 holes, there's only 10 which means thay are 5 stud pattern...

Those halves look the part but, I think a little more research is needed to check the bolt pattern

 

[highwaystar]

I was starting to doubt my ability to count!

That is kind of what I was thinking. I need to contact that seller to see if he can measure those wheels for me.