Hello from cheshire, uk

[Simlomax73]

Hello all, here to learn. So it’s ears open mouth shut for me until i have some pertinent questions. But i am in research stage of my cart build. Still undecided between electric and petrol engine to power my project. I have found a fnr gearbox which gives petrol option an edge at the moment. But as i say. Here to learn. Will be reading posts mainly.

 

[Budget GoKart]

Order a predator 212 on the internet unless you cannot because the country then buy a 212 - 196cc engine or whatever and look on letgo and offer up for engines and frames more than likely there will be one

 

[Simlomax73]

Thanks for that.

 

[mxer]

Still undecided between electric and petrol engine to power my project.

Are you building a kart or a vacuum cleaner?

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

I don't know what's available in the UK, but I would go "petrol" with a little single cylinder with about 200ccs. Electric is nice with being quiet, instant torque, and fewer moving parts, but unless you have a background in electrical stuff, gas is generally simpler, cheaper, and easier.
Good luck!

 

[Simlomax73]

Thank you JTSpeedDemon. I have decided on petrol. Do people have an opinion on the predator or honda 6.5hp clone engines. Is it worth paying the extra for the original honda engines? Torque convertor seems the way to go too.

 

[Budget GoKart]

There is almost no difference and yes a torque converter from ebay is perfect for a budget build

 

[Simlomax73]

Thank you.

 

[Hellion]

Greetings and felicitations, Simlomax73

Very interested in hearing about the karting situation in the UK; in other words, what do you have available to you both in newly manufactured wares and the secondhand department?

Like for us, secondhand, there's always go karts on the local buy/sell/trade papers (now online).



Are Predator (branded) engines available to you in the UK or are you speaking mainly of Chinese clones in general?
They are not available to our nearest neighbor to the north (Canada), at least off the shelf.

 

[landuse]

Welcome!

 

[itsid]

Hi,

for you on this side of the grand pond,
the worst thing you could try is to buy a stinking predator.
the non relabelled engine (a RATO 210 -II) would be almost as expensive as the real deal Honda GX200
which is in fact the most reliable engine of that kind and should be preferred .
Lifan Clones (168F) are easy to find and as cheap as a predator is in the US
and just as reliable as a predator (just a true clone which the 212s are not)
(true clones are fully compatible with Honda Gx200 parts [repair and tuning])

And for all you who didn't know yet: Predator brand is OWNED by harbor freight,
HF is a strictly US thing, nowhere to be seen anywhere else in the world.
HF relabels RATO engines (china) to predator and sells them exclusively at HF.
(some get bulked out to ebay and amazon .. still they all hit US soil prior and are located in the US [being still a HF rebrand])

Check UKKartStore on ebay for other parts, sometimes it's cheaper (considering oversea shipping) to buy from them, sometimes it's not.
chinese TAV Clones (on ebay) are sent from mainland china anyways
so it doesn't make a difference if you buy them, and there's nothing wrong with them.
Apart from a lousy belt at times.. the original Comet belt
might be available locally but chances are you need to buy it overseas.

make sure to use the #41 variant chain option for the TAV,
since 420 chain is a perfect fit (just stronger) and american sized chain (#35, #40, #41) is
hard to come by in europe.

'sid

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

Welcome

 

[Simlomax73]

Thanks for the information. I was thinking about the honda engines. Yes a little more expensive but i’m thinking better ?

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Generally better quality parts/assembly quality. If you want reliability, you can't get much better than a brand new Honda GX-series.
The Predator/lifan/loncin knockoffs are usually acceptable quality and more bang for your buck.

 

[Functional Artist]

I don't know what's available in the UK, but I would go "petrol" with a little single cylinder with about 200ccs. Electric is nice with being quiet, instant torque, and fewer moving parts, but unless you have a background in electrical stuff, gas is generally simpler, cheaper, and easier. Good luck!

Um, I disagree

Look at it this way
...kinda like with electric cars (especially some of the exotic ones) many folks just don't want to buy, transport, store or deal with gasoline any more
...or mess around with checkin' (& periodically changing) the oil
...or fiddlin' with a choke
…& for most karts, "pulling your arm off", tryin' to get 'er started

Then, you gotta deal with a centrifugal clutch (& periodic replacement)
while always waitin' around for the torque to show up :toetap05:
...or a TAV (& it's periodic cleaning & belt replacement)

Electric is clean & quiet
...no gas to buy
...no oil to change
...no choke to mess with
...no clutch
(need I go on?)

Get in, flip a switch & go
…& when your done, just plug 'er in & she's ready for the next ride

 

[Simlomax73]

Functional artist. What Electric motor, controller would you recommend if any.

 

[Functional Artist]

Functional artist. What Electric motor, controller would you recommend if any.

The simplest & most cost effective is a MY-1020 48V 1,000W brushed motor
(~$100.00 for the whole kit motor, controller & throttle)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1000-W-48V...448993?hash=item25b0e2e221:g:eA4AAOSw~jNZYaoN

Just gotta add a key (on/off) switch (~$5.00), (4) batteries (~$100.00)& a charger (~$20.00)

For more info, these all have 48V 1,000W My-1020 motors, check 'em out

Desteny's "Cotton Candy" kart
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=39760

Torsk (backbone chassis kart)
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=38905

El Mini Badger 450 (electric mini bike)
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=37720

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

I don't mean to hate on electric, and I don't mean to offend you Kevin(if I do, go ahead and shoot me a PM), but added up, that setup is ~$225. A Predator 212 with a generic centrifugal clutch is ~$120.
And gas engines can be greatly upgraded, but with electric motors, there's only so much you can overvolt them, and even then, at the possible expense of motor life.

I admit, I am a diehard petrolhead, but it's like asking if apples are better than oranges.
They're really just different.

Simlomax73, no one here will choose your powerplant for you, so you can choose what you want.

 

[Functional Artist]

I don't mean to hate on electric, and I don't mean to offend you Kevin(if I do, go ahead and shoot me a PM), but added up, that setup is ~$225. A Predator 212 with a generic centrifugal clutch is ~$120.
And gas engines can be greatly upgraded, but with electric motors, there's only so much you can overvolt them, and even then, at the possible expense of motor life.

I admit, I am a diehard petrolhead, but it's like asking if apples are better than oranges.
They're really just different.

Simlomax73, no one here will choose your powerplant for you, so you can choose what you want.

No problem pal, everybody's entitled to their opinion
...I was just expressing mine

The OP said that he was "undecided between electric and petrol engine to power my project"
...so, I just wanted to point out some of the differences (or advantages)

Later, you said "unless you have a background in electrical stuff, gas is generally simpler, cheaper, and easier."
...ya don't need a background in electric stuff (I don't)

If someone does not have any background in engines, there isn't really any advantage, either way
…& most, the kits I mention are practically "plug-n-play"

Then, the OP asked about electric motors
...so, I replied

* Also, you didn't add on the cost of gas, oil, maintenance or even clutch replacement costs

** Then, if/when you get into modifying stuff, the costs really "go nuts"
*** Always remember (see below)

 

[Hellion]

Thanks for the information. I was thinking about the honda engines. Yes a little more expensive but i’m thinking better ?

Honda is king of the small engines. Utterly reliable and bulletproof, but the quality comes with a price.

So uh, what are you thinking on in terms of a kart or vehicle?