Help Me Decide

[j.concepcion54321]

Ok guys so i got 2 different offers that i dont know which one i should take.

The first is a carter one seater gokart. it has a 5hp Tecumseh engine. Needs a new clutch and both front wheels. He wants 100 dollars for it.

The second option is a amusement park gokart with a 5.5hp honda motor. It has a cvt with belt drive, and needs both front wheels, both back wheels are slicks and are in good condition. also brings a homemade gokart with 18inch tractor tires that need to be replaced pretty soon. this kart is in pretty sketchy condition. also brings a 18hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine. He wants 250 for everything.

what should i take?? the first option is ready to go, and the second option needs a decent amount of work to get them both going.

 

[devino246]

Pics would help. The 2nd sounds good because of the CVT, the first sounds like a really good deal though.

 

[B man]

check if the first has a live axel.

 

[jeremybentham]

Amusement park karts are H_E_A_V_Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be prepared to chop A LOT of unnecessary metal off of it.

 

[redsox985]

That Briggs Vanguard is worth $250 alone. Then add a TC. It's a much better bang for your buck even if it isn't instant gratification.

 

[anderkart]

Buy em-all, install the 18hp on the carter.

Get get the other 2 in ride-able shape and resell to get all your money back.

Then your bad-azz carter will be free...

 

[Bluethunder3320]

yeah! ^^^^^

 

[j.concepcion54321]

the carter would end up having to be for my brother seeing as im to big for it. my first thought was to put the 18 horse on the amusement park cart but seeing as the transmission cvt thingy gives it a belt drive to the axle i might not do it. the thought of taking both options ran across my mind but its still up there. i would fix up the carter for my lil bro and fix the amusement park one for me. then throw the 18 horse on the kart with the tractor tires

 

[Blazkowiez]

Stick a big engine on the concession kart, thats some of the most fun I've EVER had on a kart.

 

[j.concepcion54321]

since im pretty sure the hond and the briggs dont have the same sized shaft would i use a jackshaft from the briggs to the belt drive on the other side?? or switch the belt to a sprocket n get a clutch?

 

[anderkart]

since im pretty sure the hond and the briggs dont have the same sized shaft would i use a jackshaft from the briggs to the belt drive on the other side?? or switch the belt to a sprocket n get a clutch?

Some of those belt drive concession kart engines were the gear-reduction (w/internal clutch) type models.
So you'll need to check into that and see what your working with before planing your 18hp engine swap.

 

[j.concepcion54321]

i think i should just leave it the way it is then right??

 

[redsox985]

Not exactly. It all depends upon the individual kart. And I think that you're not fully grasping a torque converter (CVT). This has a driver and driven, which are connected by a belt. The driven is on a jackshaft and there is then a chain from this JS to the sprocket on the axle. Don't be discouraged by a belt drive, especially if it is in the form of a TC. Simple belt tensioners can be very good drive systems, too.

 

[sideways]

If it's an ex amusement park kart then I think what your saying is a CVT would be a gear reduction unit with a built in centrifugal clutch, then belt drive to the axle.

I have never seen any other kind of set up on such a kart, it is supremely reliable and will out last anything.

 

[anderkart]

i think i should just leave it the way it is then right??

All I was trying to point out is many concession type karts dont use conventional centrifugal clutches or t/c's.

The engines on many rental karts have gear reduction boxes bolted on the side with an internal clutch, and look kinda like this pic:

And then they simply use a cogged drive-belt system like the right side of this pic below:

http://www.jjamusements.com/chaindrive.htm

So what I meant was... If your concession kart has this type of system, It will probably affect your plans on retaining the belt drive system. Because I doubt a 5hp/6.5hp gear reduction box would fit and be usable on your 18hp.

See what I mean, jellybean?

 

[j.concepcion54321]

yep you guys are right its a gear reduction unit. i think i might be going with option 2. i talked the guy down to 200 bucks and i might be getting it today, if my dad decides to loan me the 80 bucks. (i only have 120)

what kinda speeds can i get with that reduction box on a 5.5hp honda with the belt drive to the axle?

 

[anderkart]

You could change pulley diameter's to achieve any speeds a traditional centrifugal clutch or T/C driven kart could.

If its a 2 to 1 reduction box, you could simply compensate by having a engine pulley that was larger and/or an axle pulley that was smaller.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

how is a belt drive more reliable then a chain? i would think the chain would last 20 times longer....

 

[redsox985]

Blue, who said that? Me?

 

[sideways]

how is a belt drive more reliable then a chain? i would think the chain would last 20 times longer....

Chains need constant adjustment and aren't really all that reliable. belts don't wear like chains do, belts can take sudden shocks better than chains too. The pulleys never really wear out either, where as sprockets do.