Hello from Keswick Ontario, Canada

[Yukon]

Hello to all

Kinda found my way here via T-Man's YouTube channel, glad I decided to click!

I am a go-kart virgin, I've driven rentals and such, and when I was 16 we used to let the cops chase us around on our friends kart (they NEVER caught us... we could corner MUCH better then them LoL).

As for owning one, I went and bought my first frankenstein home made kart for $175 (cdn). It needs work, but it essentially it seems pretty good. It's a frame, wheels (nice brand new deep v grooved tires on new rims) a 1987 5 hp briggs, extra axle with new sprocket and rusty disk rotor, and 4 hubs.

The rims are no good for a kart, no bearings more suited for rototiller / snow blower axles. And with no suspension I don't see myself offroading in the bugger anytime soon. I am pretty sure the guy I bought it off of also bought those tires and rims not having a clue what it needed. I will most likely sell them as tiller blowers tires or try to trade them + or - $ for proper rims and tires.

(Yes I know two tires are mounted backwards)

I will post some more pics of this beast soon this is just the Craigslist pic, I'm guessing they would go in the Photo Gallery & Project Log section?

I've pretty much stripped most of her down and I am beginning to see obvious problems that even noob like me can notice.

I will be lurking for a while and see if I can't answer some of my own questions (I've already learned loads and scared myself just lurking), but rest assured, you will probably see me down the road crying out for help (or a noose).

Don't mean to drag out my intro... I tend to babble... sorry, I'll sign off for now.

Good to sort of meet you all, you're all OK in my books!

 

[landuse]

Welcome to the forum!! Post some pics when you get them so that we can give you some advice on whatever you might need

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Welcome to the forum, Yukon! A "local boy", eh? I'm pretty close- just outside of Bradford. That's a very interesting machine you've gotten hold of there- can't wait to see more!

 

[Yukon]

Welcome to the forum!! Post some pics when you get them so that we can give you some advice on whatever you might need

Thanks for the welcome. I'll be taking some pics in the next little bit. This beast isn't on the top of my "to do" list at the moment.

Where would the best place to start a thread for it?

 

[Yukon]

Welcome to the forum, Yukon! A "local boy", eh? I'm pretty close- just outside of Bradford. That's a very interesting machine you've gotten hold of there- can't wait to see more!

WoW, we are practically neighbours... who'd a thunk it

I've been to Bradford often, nice to meet you! You do realize I will have to pick your brain for local shops and such when I need to try and find parts... and taking a closer look at this beast... I'll definitely be needing some things.

I grabbed a brand new Powerfist 6.5hp for 40 bucks, so that's a start. I figured a guy my size (6'4" 240lbs) would need that extra 1.5 to help me get up and go and it was a nice score to boot!

I was hoping this beast would be a no brainer project, but it looks like I will need to learn how to weld to get this frame up to snuff. It appears to be twisted and certainly needs reinforcement in the center (and a few more places I don't trust).

I do have a nice little Clarke mig welder but have never given it a go.

The more I look at it, the more I think I got a lemon. LoL Oh well, time to try and make lemonade I guess.

blah blah blah... there I go again... where the hell is the off button... oh, there it is...

click

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You got a new clone from Princess for $40? How'd that happen? I'm very jealous! For those of you just tuning in to the game, that 6.5 you got is a chinese-made clone of the Honda GX200. All the Honda factory and speed parts fit. From what I can gather, these are amongst the better clones. I scored one several months ago and have started to play with it. I have removed the governor and low-oil sensor. For your own purposes, start researching "GX200 clone", "Honda clone", "6.5hp clone", and similar terms. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're very popular.

You've got a MIG and never welded? I could cry. My machine crapped out a few months ago, and I can't really afford to get it repaired right now...

Keep me updated on what you're up to, I might even have some goodies you could use. Maybe we can even work something out- If you're not going to use that old engine, I'd be interested in maybe making a deal for it...

 

[Yukon]

You got a new clone from Princess for $40? How'd that happen? I'm very jealous!

Sorry, didn't mean to make you jealous. LoL I bought a 22"MTD Snowblower with this motor on it for 100 bucks (he couldn't get the pulleys to line up or something). I'm now selling the Snowblower chassis and some guy should be coming over to pick it up on Saturday 60 bucks... thus 40 bucks for the Powerfist.

For those of you just tuning in to the game, that 6.5 you got is a chinese-made clone of the Honda GX200. All the Honda factory and speed parts fit...

...For your own purposes, start researching "GX200 clone", "Honda clone", "6.5hp clone", and similar terms. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're very popular.

Thanks for the info there, been looking around... looks like there is an electric start kit with battery charging capabilities for it....hook up the tunes... lights... horn... good to go! meep! meep!

You've got a MIG and never welded? I could cry.

Every place I have lived since I bought it kept popping fuses ie 157 year old farmhouse we rented for 7 years. Then we bought this house (111 years old) I didn't even try plugging it in, my garage/shop is on a 15amp breaker run from the house. I figured if my compressor popped at times, the welder would pop it for sure. I should just get a spool of flux core (I don't have argon and welder does both) plug the bugger in and see what happens, worst comes to worst, I go reset the breaker and wait til I can afford to get some proper power to the shop.

Keep me updated on what you're up to, I might even have some goodies you could use. Maybe we can even work something out- If you're not going to use that old engine, I'd be interested in maybe making a deal for it...

I'm sure we could work something out, I'm sure I'll need some goodies and I don't think I will have a need for the other motor.

Maybe I could even bring my welder along sometime so you can weld up some things that may need welding... I could learn while I watch and get my machine set up in the process heh heh heh... a method to my madness!!


Beam me up Scotty!
(Well, maybe not UP Scotty, beside him will do)

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Beam me up Scotty!
(Well, maybe not UP Scotty, beside him will do)

Nearly peed myself, there!

Yeah, pretty good chance your are going to lose the breaker. I don't know how far the run is from your electrical panel to your work area is, but if you have a plug very close to the panel, throw in a 20 amp breaker. Then use a heavy (12ga or better) extension cord to get you outside, that should get you going. I'm not familiar with your particular welder, but most of the 120v portables are happiest with 20 amps.

I'm not completely screwed for welding- I have the use of an older 220 machine that I can use if I really need to do some work. Problem is, I have zero portability with it. I have a 220 plug in my garage, but a suitable extension cord costs a bomb. The machine weighs a ton (wheeled or not) and my garage is so full right now, it's crazy! So basically, whatever I may need to weld mus be parked right at the garage door, and within reach of the cables. The machine is basically held together with duct tape and bailing wire, so it's not the greatest welding experience either...

I'd like to see more pics of that kart if/when you have the chance- looks very unique.

 

[Yukon]

I'd like to see more pics of that kart if/when you have the chance- looks very unique.

Here's a video I did of it when I got it home, it's a start until I take some more detailed shots later. It should give you a bit of an idea what I'm up against. (gulps a bit)
Could be more work than this kart virgin bargained for!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Well, it does look like some TLC and perhaps a little re-engineering are in order. There is some potential there, it's just a matter of sorting it all out and optimizing things.

Hanging around here and asking questions, you'll learn everything you need to know. I think I speak for our membership when I say that we're going to get you sorted out just fine. Personally, I'll help in any way I can- I'm thrilled to see another member in the same area code!!!

For what it's worth, The reason there's two chains and extra sprockets etc is that you have a "jackshaft". There are many possible reasons for using one- the most common use is for compound gear reduction. The purpose is to achieve a lower gear ratio than you could feasibly achieve using a pair of sprockets alone!

The lack of suspension will limit offroadability to a certain extent. In the short term, you can run a lower tire pressure, which will help a bit. In the long term, you can add suspension. It looks

AAAARRGGH! Sorry, The Predators just scored...

Umm- it looks like the frame dimensions are generous enough that you can attempt such modifications without horrendous space constraints.