Hello everyone! Oreolude intro.

[oreolude]

I wanted to say hello to everyone and I look forward to being part of the forum.

I recently purchased a yard kart that is in pieces and I am going to pursue rebuilding it. I have already learned a few things on the forum about general mechanics of go karts but I have a long way to go and many questions in my head. I'm expecting my first child in may so I am hoping to get this puppy running before then (probably won't have much time to work on it with a new born).

I will work on searching for help on my particular project before I start asking too many questions, but the main issues I'm facing include:

-wheels. I bought cheepo HF wheels and have learned since that they might not be the best idea.
-not sure what type of wheel the rear single drive is supposed to have. The kart came with hubs but no rims/ tires. The HF wheels easily bolt on everywhere but the left rear which has the longer hub and larger bolt pattern.
-no gas pedal or throttle cable (welding in my future)
-steering works
-have replacement pull cable for predator 3hp motor. (Have already searched and found instructions for replacing)
-no seat or seat brackets(more welding)
-sprocket, brake drum and band brake are all included

So like I said I will do some searching on the forum for these particular problems but if any one has quick ideas or knowledge out would be much appreciated. Also, here are some pics of the kart.

Thanks,

Oreolude

 

[KartFab]

Welcome to the forum. I'm new here too, but here are a few suggestions for your needs.

1) Wheels: try Walmart; turf saver style tires for all around tires, good grip and wear. If you want aggressive style offroad(they wear out fast on pavement) you can try northern tool. If you shop online, Kenda and Carlisle are great brands. If you need rims, the most affordable ones are made for lawn tractors/mowers. They typically have junk bearings already installed but will accept a 1 3/8 od, 5/8 id high speed bearing.

2) rear drive wheel. The hub/sprocket you have for this will determine what size rear rim/tire to buy. You generally don't want the tire to be much bigger than the sprocket (3-6 inches greater in diameter is great)

3)The gas/brakes can be operated by a cable, solid steel rod, or both. With any way you set it up, you will need some sort of return spring for the throttle and brake. The return spring can be installed over the steel rod in the middle of the kart, at the pedal, or at the throttle/brake band.

4)Pull cable. Easy.

5)For seats you can go two routes for the upholstry. 1) make your own. Plywood, vinyl, 2" high density foam. 2)buy a bench or bucket seat (~40$). Either way you will also need to buy what is called an 'adjustable seat slider' (~$20) if you ever want kids to drive it too.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck!

 

[oreolude]

Gran,

Thanks for the reply.

I will go take a look at the turf savers. I guess I am a little confused about how the larger hub in my picture will work with the new tires. It feels like there is a part missing. (see pic with hub/sprocket)

I am going to focus on getting the wheels and engine situated first, then move on to the throttle/brakes/seat. Well keep you guys updated. Might need to setup a different thread..

Thanks for the welcome!

Sent from my Milestone X using Tapatalk 2

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Welcome to the forum. I think you have an old Carter SuperWheels chassis there.

I don't think you're missing anything with that drive hub. On the inboard side of the hub, you install the sprocket, then the brake drum, and bolt together. Your drive wheel gets bolted to the outboard side.

 

[oreolude]

Ok. Walmart had the turf savers but no rims. I'll measure the bolt pattern on the outside of the hub before ordering anything. Thanks for the help.

Sent from my Milestone X using Tapatalk 2

 

[OzFab]

There's a few ways to source rims. You can:
-look on craigslist or similar for used ones or
-a local store like tractor supply or
-a kart supply site like BMI Karts, Go Kart Galaxy, etc

As long as they're the desired diameter & correct bolt pattern you'll be good to go

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum. It looks like you have everything there, and it should be relatively straightforward to get everything back together again.

You say you have a 3HP predator. You are going to have to gear quite low to get any decent torwue out of it. I am just worried that you might have to gear so low that you would be in need of a jackshaft to limit the drive sprocket size. When the drive sprocket gets too big, you can start having clearance issues.

 

[oreolude]

Fabroman and Landuse thanks for the info. I do not intend on keeping the 3hp motor for too long. I am going to get it all together and running before spending more on a motor. I kinda want to buy only the things necessary to complete the kart and get a better understanding of how it all works together. I know it will be slow with me on it until then.... Btw the current sprocket is almost as large as the 10" wheels from hf. Not sure if sprockets are normally that big.

I am pushing forward with my wheel search and will update as things progress. Thanks again for all of the great help!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

While I see your vision, I will say this-

You may go through the trouble to get it all set up, painted pretty, ready to roll. Start it up, get in, and not move because that little 3hp engine won't have the oomph to push you at whatever gear ratio you end up with. You should keep this in mind. The 3hp will require very low gearing. If you gear for a larger engine, the 3hp won't do much, if anything at all. If you DO gear appropriately for the 3hp, you will likely end up regearing again after getting the larger engine. Just try to save you some time and a few dinero.

 

[OzFab]

the current sprocket is almost as large as the 10" wheels from hf. Not sure if sprockets are normally that big.

The averave gear ratio , using a 5-8hp engine is around 6:1; as TS stated, using a 3hp it needs to be lower (higher number) if you hope to move

 

[oreolude]

Ok, sounds like I need to convince my wife to let me upgrade... I will cite your responses as reasoning haha. I should have picked up the 212 predator last weekend for $99 at hf. Thanks again for the info, I think it will save me a lot in the long run.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Good plan. Now, you can either sell the 3hp to recoup some costs, OR (and this is what I would do) Hang onto it for "Baby's First Kart". LOL

 

[KartFab]

I should have picked up the 212 predator last weekend for $99 at hf.

Just search hf coupons. You can print off one from their site for 20% off. The engine's normal price is 119 so it will cost you about $95 with the coupon.

 

[landuse]

Ok, sounds like I need to convince my wife to let me upgrade... I will cite your responses as reasoning haha. I should have picked up the 212 predator last weekend for $99 at hf. Thanks again for the info, I think it will save me a lot in the long run.

If you gear your kart right with the 212cc, you won't have to spend much at a later date. You might not even have to use a jackshaft, which can get a bit complicated for people who are not too technically minded and with not a lot of fabrication experience

 

[oreolude]

Landuse I'm hoping to upgrade to the 212 when I can. I'm not familiar with a jackshaft, I'll read about that. I'm hoping to get some wheels ordered this weekend. I'll also look for the hf coupon mentioned. Thanks y'all!

Sent from my Milestone X using Tapatalk 2

 

[oreolude]

Got the wheel studs measured on the old hub for the drive wheel. It is 2 5/8" from stud center to stud center if I measure in a square. It measures 3 5/8" diagonal stud to stud. Going to start my search for wheels and rims now, got busy the last two weeks but ready to jump back in!