Just got this gokart, my first ever

[johnp]

I got my first gokart at 70 yrs of age. woooooo hooooooo. Its for my grandkids, oldest two boys are 8. Any advice as to what I have (manco) and ideas to make it the safest for my grandkids would be welcome. Couple questions, is cable or rod best for applying the brakes,,,,,,,,is a hydraulic brake necessary.

 

[Master Hack]

Welcome aboard! There are a few of us old guys using the same excuse as you, the grandkids! Safety is first prioriy, always!
you'll get plenty of advice here. Some of it might actually be good advice!
Don't take stuff too seriously, and have fun.
use rods and bellcranks (if needed). Avoid bends.
cables stretchtoo much. Hydraulic brakes unnecessary if ya mechanical brakes work right. But driving style can change everything!

 

[johnp]

I use the grandkids as an excuse for a lot of things. Thanks for the information. My gr sons are 8 yos right now and are graduating from a electric ATV and razor dune buggy to this gokart

 

[Master Hack]

I use the grandkids as an excuse for a lot of things

Way to go!
What fab capabilities do ya have? Can ya weld? Ya have a full on machine shop, or a hacksaw and a hammer? The advice ya get can taylored to your abilities, if we have an idea what they are.
Denny may want to inspect your shop, but thats no big deal. He hever stays more than 5 days.

 

[Denny]

Not a Manco but looks more Carter Brothers. Looks to have had a 20 series CVT on it when new and somebody cheeped it out and put a crappy centrifugal clutch on it. If it’s going to be ridden on any other surface than a paved road at full throttle you may want to consider converting it back to a CVT.

 

[panchothedog]

I responded to your same question on " Old Mini Bikes ". Same answers as above.
A rod for the brake, and you're going to burn up that clutch real fast. You need a torque converter with tires that big.

 

[johnp]

Thanks guys. And ty panchothedog for responding on the other forum. I am going to use this forum exclusively.

 

[johnp]

I responded to your same question on " Old Mini Bikes ". Same answers as above.
A rod for the brake, and you're going to burn up that clutch real fast. You need a torque converter with tires that big.

The brake rod doesn't go all the way to the caliper, he used some wire to connect the end of the rod to the brake lever. Is there an aftermarket rod that can be used to extend the longer brake rod in order to connect it to the caliper?

 

[JimD]

How tall are the tires from the ground to the top, looking for the diameter. Also a count of the number of teeth on the rear sprocket. The answer will tell if you have to switch from a clutch to a t/c.

 

[johnp]

How tall are the tires from the ground to the top, looking for the diameter. Also a count of the number of teeth on the rear sprocket. The answer will tell if you have to switch from a clutch to a t/c.

the rear tires are 19" diameter, the sprocket is about 9" with about 60 teeth.

 

[JimD]

There is no doubt about it you NEED a torque converter the clutch will only work if you live on top of the hill and you are always going down the hill. It will never make it up any hill and the tire size says it HAS TO BE a torque converter. Carter Brothers made their own jackshaft arrangement and because they burnt down in 2005 I am not sure if there are any parts around for the torque converter but if anyone would have them it would be BMI out of Ohio (Barhorst Manufacturing Inc. )

 

[johnp]

Way to go!
What fab capabilities do ya have? Can ya weld? Ya have a full on machine shop, or a hacksaw and a hammer? The advice ya get can taylored to your abilities, if we have an idea what they are.
Denny may want to inspect your shop, but thats no big deal. He hever stays more than 5 days.

my garage is not a super shop, i can get things done. my son in law can weld, i can do most other things.

 

[Master Hack]

I'll call off Denny. Cool, sounds like ya got all ya need to get in deep enuff to get addicted to this stuff. Start thinkin about more storage space, you'll need it.
The grandbrats (my endearing term) out grow things quickly, and the cheif mechanic/driving coach will need something to ride along with.
Grandma would never cancel funding for project, if it even remotely involves the grandkids, would she?
the fun is just begining!

 

[johnp]

I'll call off Denny. Cool, sounds like ya got all ya need to get in deep enuff to get addicted to this stuff. Start thinkin about more storage space, you'll need it.
The grandbrats (my endearing term) out grow things quickly, and the cheif mechanic/driving coach will need something to ride along with.
Grandma would never cancel funding for project, if it even remotely involves the grandkids, would she?
the fun is just begining!

LOL. Grandma doesn't always agree with my spending but she knows its for the grandkids (ummm sure). I am looking at torque converter kits and getting excited to get this going. Am thinking of just buying a new engine while I am at it........FOR THE SAFETY OF THE GRANDKIDS!!!

 

[Master Hack]

ZACKLY!

 

[panchothedog]

From your pictures it looks like you have a typical clone ( 196cc ) engine. Nothing at all wrong with that. If it runs decently, it will work as good as a new one. Two or three people have tried to tell you that a rod works better for your brakes. A piece of 1/4" steel rod, A die to thread the ends, and a couple of clevises, and you are in business. 20 bucks at the most, and an hours work. Do you own a hacksaw and a vice?

 

[Denny]

I have many vices!

 

[panchothedog]

I meant the kind that hold things steady. NOT the kind that hold onto you. But you could probably use the hacksaw to cut yourself free of them. Might hurt a bit. It's

 

[Denny]

I have both kinds!

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

But what about an offset vise?