Just another new guy!!!

[scootertrash]

Hi everyone, my name is Jim and I'm an engine-aholic. I'll try not to pound you too hard on the questions!. I'm new to Karts and am in the beginning phase of building my first one ever and with a litre bike engine. My background is automotive drivability / electrical (GM)and motorcycle technician and performance tuner. I KNOW VIRTUALLY NOTHING ABOUT KARTING THO. luckily I have a fiancée that has so graciously earned a BA in design and is a god with CAD programs. She has designed the cart I am building which is just a standard style shifter cart that will be extended. I am happy to help others by volunteering her skills with CAD, hoping that I get some tips and tricks from you senior members and gurus. Welp, that's about it. Yes I have thick skin so I'm prepared to receive my noob bashing. lol.

 

[OzFab]

Welcome to the forum...

Just so I understand, you intend to put a 1000cc sports bike engine on a shifter kart? Does your life insurance cover you for acts of stupidity?

We never condone this simply because it's just plain dangerous; have a read through this

 

[chancer]

Welcome. and yes He is serious. That is a crazy amount of power for a 100 pound vehicle.

 

[landuse]

I like your enthusiasm , but i would unfortunately also not endorse the use of a 1000cc engine. It is just too much power. We have seen so many people try (or say they are going to try), and it always fails. I think there was one member who did build one, but i remember him saying that it wasn't worth it because of too much power. He just couldn't handle it. LOL. I remember it also got towed away by the cops

Here are some links. This was only a 600cc
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20402
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21549

The pics tell the story

 

[BirdFanatic]

I like your enthusiasm , but i would unfortunately also not endorse the use of a 1000cc engine. It is just too much power. We have seen so many people try (or say they are going to try), and it always fails. I think there was one member who did build one, but i remember him saying that it wasn't worth it because of too much power. He just couldn't handle it. LOL. I remember it also got towed away by the cops

Here are some links. This was only a 600cc
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20402
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21549

The pics tell the story

lol where i am they cant legally do that inless you hit somthing or they catch you doing it they have to see you to be able to take it away lol .Some times you get a really cool cop that just says hey istopped you because thats one heck of a cool ride .

 

[landuse]

It is not only the fact that you can get pulled over by the cops that i am worried about. I am also worried about whether you have adequite life insurance

 

[KartFab]

It is not only the fact that you can get pulled over by the cops that i am worried about. I am also worried about whether you have adequite life insurance

Thats ok, he doesnt need life insurance. His fiance will be able to pay the bills with her CAD work.

 

[chancer]

If that guy had 1000cc in the Kart he never should have got caught by the police, or maybe he needed More Power. Hehehe.
Just kidding you should never do anything illegal....... Ok so I'm still kidding hehehe

 

[OzFab]

lol where i am they cant legally do that inless you hit somthing or they catch you doing it they have to see you to be able to take it away lol .Some times you get a really cool cop that just says hey istopped you because thats one heck of a cool ride .

In that particular case, they did catch him; that thing is fast & powerful but, it's also nuts, traction (or lack thereof) was the biggest problem...& it didn't handle too well either...

 

[BirdFanatic]

In that particular case, they did catch him; that thing is fast & powerful but, it's also nuts, traction (or lack thereof) was the biggest problem...& it didn't handle too well either...

it looks like there at his house or apartment . The best answer to the traction problem is wider tires better grip just like they do on some cars .as for the 1000cc ill stick to my 30hp 100cc toys maybe one day ill save enough to buy a welder and make a kt-100 off road buggy .

 

[scootertrash]

Wow, As expected. Lol. A couple assumptions have been made here. The most notable being the act of being caught by the police. I am a deputy. I'm pretty familiar with the laws where I live. Having been in the service for quite some time also I've seen my share of death and destruction as well. I do agree that it would be a stupid endeavor for a youngster who thought they could do the impossible. It's very likely that as the build progresses into what is been drawn up, maybe your skepticism will subside. There are people who have been put on this earth with wrenches and racing fuel in their DNA. I suppose those who know me and my history of racing and building bikes , see this as normal behavior. But to clear up any assumptions, it's not being built to race down the public roads lol. I'm fortunate to have a track here where I live that has a 1/4 mile oval, as well as a course. They allow bringing your creations for Hollywood runs a couple days a week. I'm just curious. Have any of you guys ever heard of or seen a mini sprint, or midget?. What I'm building will be simular in size.. Those karts are pretty light. I do understand the power to weight issues. This is why I am using 1 1/2 structural steel. do have life insurance by the way.

 

[scootertrash]

Also I should. Clear my error in information. I said standard shifter style cart. That was the basis for the design. Obviously it's not going to be the size of a standard chassis, nor will it lack roll over protection, but to avoid having to impliment a one off steering system that would be too far beyond my abilities and also maintain the ability for the chassis to twist as it should, I thought it would be only smart to use the basic shifter kart design as a basis, making it bigger , stronger and with roll over protection.

 

[chancer]

Cool sounds like someone might actually get one of these Right. Please stick around and share your creation with us. If you truly are not just Nuts, I bet even some of these naysayers will lend a hand. There are some very smart very talented people here, But like you stated they cannot support the Stupid endeavors of some yungster.

 

[KartFab]

this is going to be awesome, you should post up pictures of your designing and building progress when you get to that point.

 

[Desertduler]

this is going to be awesome, you should post up pictures of your designing and building progress when you get to that point.

Yes, I agree,this would be refreshing to see, and welcome.

 

[OzFab]

Also I should. Clear my error in information. I said standard shifter style cart. That was the basis for the design. Obviously it's not going to be the size of a standard chassis, nor will it lack roll over protection, but to avoid having to impliment a one off steering system that would be too far beyond my abilities and also maintain the ability for the chassis to twist as it should, I thought it would be only smart to use the basic shifter kart design as a basis, making it bigger , stronger and with roll over protection.

Now, see, if that ^^ was included in your first post, there definitely would not have been any confusion, that sounds like an awesome project...

Every now & then, a new member arrives & writes a long, detailed intro & then apologises for it; I always say "don't apologise, more info is NEVER a bad thing..."

 

[chancer]

Now, see, if that ^^ was included in your first post, there definitely would not have been any confusion, that sounds like an awesome project...

Every now & then, a new member arrives & writes a long, detailed intro & then apologises for it; I always say "don't apologise, more info is NEVER a bad thing..."

Yeah but off duty Cops never tell you right off they are Cops.
Just playin here no offense Scooter trash.
Wait I never heard a deputy refer to himself as scooter trash either. So is it Officer Trash?

 

[scootertrash]

thanks all. I will definitely start posting pics as I get something worth showing. Im at the parts collecting stage now. I spent forever trying to decide if I wanted to go with mini sprint wheels or Kart size. I ended up just getting some used rubbers 5" for now. Im still considering the larger diameter wheels of the sprint, but with that, its a whole different direction with the rearend components. so, Ill see If I can somehow implement a not so hard way to change over if I decide to later on during the build. As for Scootertrash, lol ya its an irony given my job. I guess I am just one of those guys that never intended to end up in that career field. It just kind of happened after someone talked me into it during a major hiring that was being done at the time. Its always been a bit of a conflict between my love for racing and speed in general, but Ive managed to find some balance in it all somehow. (by no means easy though). I usually don't shout off what I do. Just so many comments about getting caught by the police, I figured that I would put it out there and clarify my intent with the project in hopes to still get some advice along the way and not be shunned by everyone.

 

[scootertrash]

By the way, I do have a first question. Being in the sportbike area for so very long, I've learned over the years that when it comes to bearings, such as wheel bearings, you have the high priced bearings you can aquire from retailers for app specific bikes, and there are the same bearings that you can get from your local bearing retailer for a quarter of the price. does anyone know what bearing number I would be looking for that I could go to the warehouse for front and rear bearings that are the standard for these karts?. or the measurements?. that would be great. I know I need collard rear bearings, but I would assume that they are used for lots of other applications so I should be able to get them from the bearing guys as well?

 

[DirtyDamage]

Just a quick question, if you're planning on doing a race kart kinda design or sprint car why not by a chassis and modify it? Maybe not so easy for you but in my local CL there is a sprint car dealership. $2000 for rolling chassis drop an engine and go type of deal. Or race karts from $1000. I see the ambition and building your own though too! Should be an awesome build!