Mounting a CB400 engine on a Manco Kart

[lewikenzie1]

Hi all,
eventually decided to get back to building/redsigning my buggy and fitting a new engine in it, ive got a Honda supedream 400cc engine to go in it but before i mount it i checked the chain etc to line it up.And encountered a problem, the angle of the chiain going out of the engine is too steep for the engine and is scraping off the bottom of the chain guard/gear changer, now there is only two fixes i know of, a jackshaft, or a smaller sprocket, the jackshaft will have tremendous force on it so not sure about that and the sprocket would work perfectly if only i could fine one that fitted. I havnt measured the chain but ive looked online and it seems to be a 520/530 chain the sprocket has 41 teeth so im thinking about 34?
Where can i get a sprocket from that will fit this or where can i get one custom made in the UK?
Thanks ppl

 

[rabies]

before people scream at you and tell you not to do it and stick to a 2hp motor.
i would like to see pics.
def post a pic of this "angle"
the least amount of fabrication the better

 

[kartingizm]

Hi all,
eventually decided to get back to building/redsigning my buggy and fitting a new engine in it, ive got a Honda supedream 400cc engine to go in it but before i mount it i checked the chain etc to line it up.And encountered a problem, the angle of the chiain going out of the engine is too steep for the engine and is scraping off the bottom of the chain guard/gear changer, now there is only two fixes i know of, a jackshaft, or a smaller sprocket, the jackshaft will have tremendous force on it so not sure about that and the sprocket would work perfectly if only i could fine one that fitted. I havnt measured the chain but ive looked online and it seems to be a 520/530 chain the sprocket has 41 teeth so im thinking about 34?
Where can i get a sprocket from that will fit this or where can i get one custom made in the UK?
Thanks ppl

this is what you want to do

 

[lewikenzie1]

Best pic i could get

EDIT:, better size pic

 

[lewikenzie1]

this is what you want to do

Holy ****ing brilliant idea! , but i cant find a sprocket atall for this chain size i dont know where to look

 

[kartingizm]

Holy ****ing brilliant idea! , but i cant find a sprocket atall for this chain size i dont know where to look

ill try to find out the chain size and try to find some more pics

 

[kartingizm]

Holy ****ing brilliant idea! , but i cant find a sprocket atall for this chain size i dont know where to look

http://www.monstercraftsman.com/products/Bolt-on-Tensioner.html


i would try to make one or buy it. plus the teeth on the gear on the chain tensioner doesnt matter if that clears anything up.

i would call a motorcycle shop and ask them what chain size is. tell them is the old cb400 not the new ones

 

[lewikenzie1]

Thanks, yh think I'd rather make one than pay $125 for a sprocket on a spring lol, I've found a company which make sprockets for bikes and I think they may also make custom ones so I'll give them a ring tomorrow

 

[r97]

if #530 chain, you can use #50 sprockets and chains. if #520, you can use a combination of #520 sprockets, and #50 sprockets, but you must run #50 chain.

you can compare chain dimensions here,
http://www.gizmology.net/sprockets.htm

#50 idler sprocket:
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=1-2410-13-A&catname=powerTrans

using an idler sprocket that way will put the sprocket, and its mounting location under a whole bunch of force. if you do it this way, put the idler sprocket on the SLACK side of the chain.

the better option is to use a well reinforced jack shaft, some keyed shafting, a few #50 sprockets, two pillow blocks, and some scrap metal.

_____________________________

be very, very careful with this kart, the cb400 will be wayyy too much power. the steering parts, the wheels, and other components are probably not made to go past 40mph. and many of the parts probably can't handle the power, the frame may get bent, or broken just from the engine. can you post pics of the kart?

 

[lewikenzie1]

if #530 chain, you can use #50 sprockets and chains. if #520, you can use a combination of #520 sprockets, and #50 sprockets, but you must run #50 chain.

you can compare chain dimensions here,
http://www.gizmology.net/sprockets.htm

#50 idler sprocket:
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=1-2410-13-A&catname=powerTrans

using an idler sprocket that way will put the sprocket, and its mounting location under a whole bunch of force. if you do it this way, put the idler sprocket on the SLACK side of the chain.

the better option is to use a well reinforced jack shaft, some keyed shafting, a few #50 sprockets, two pillow blocks, and some scrap metal.

_____________________________

be very, very careful with this kart, the cb400 will be wayyy too much power. the steering parts, the wheels, and other components are probably not made to go past 40mph. and many of the parts probably can't handle the power, the frame may get bent, or broken just from the engine. can you post pics of the kart?

I like that price better and yh that's what I thought put it on the slack side, it's the slack side that's rubbing anyway, I had it at 42 before with the stock engine lol, it was scary that low to he ground, it'll be fine(hopefully) replacing steering, front wheels, adding front suspension .....

 

[lewikenzie1]

Also will post pics of the kart in the morning, does that surplus shop ship to the uk if it did that would be brill

 

[anderkart]

the sprocket has 41 teeth so im thinking about 34?
Where can i get a sprocket from that will fit this or where can i get one custom made in the UK?
Thanks ppl

Besides just solving your chain angle issue, this would be a really good time to select a rear sprocket size to properly gear your kart.

Most motorcycle engines end up with a 3 to 1 final reduction at their output sprocket, so gearing a shifterkart gets kinda tricky compared to just using conventional go kart type engines.

I'm willing to help figure this out but I need more info, so:

How tall are your karts back tires?
Is that a 14 tooth drive-gear on your engine now?
What year was your Honda supedream 400cc made?
And also what top speed would you like this kart to achieve?

Also, what diameter is your karts axle, this will help trying to locate a #520 sprocket and hub that'll fit it.

ps:
This shop here in the states sells #520 sprockets: http://www.gokartgalaxy.com/shifter_kart_&_quarter_midget_sprockets_for_3.htm
But maybe you can find them in the UK to save on shipping charges...

 

[kartingizm]

Also will post pics of the kart in the morning, does that surplus shop ship to the uk if it did that would be brill

Heres a thing you should get its only 15 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.bmikarts.com/item/Spiderbox-Chain-Tensioner-Bracket-05768-4559
with this http://www.bmikarts.com/item/Chain-Idler-400630-3253


or


http://www.bmikarts.com/item/Frame-Mounted-Chain-Guide-System-PM-128000-7159

 

[lewikenzie1]

Thanks pll, I'll get more info up today once I'm back from school

 

[tomas02]

have the same sort of thing on the kart im building with a suzuki gsx250 engine
what are the disadvantages of an idler sprocket as i need avoid the gear shifter on my motor as its in the path of the chain at the moment

 

[fowler]

the only disadvantage is it is anouther moving part to fail (which is a minor problem)

the advantages are that it give u more accurate chain tension and it lifts the bottom of the chain so there is more chain rapped around the sprockets and anyone time

 

[lewikenzie1]

Besides just solving your chain angle issue, this would be a really good time to select a rear sprocket size to properly gear your kart.

Most motorcycle engines end up with a 3 to 1 final reduction at their output sprocket, so gearing a shifterkart gets kinda tricky compared to just using conventional go kart type engines.

I'm willing to help figure this out but I need more info, so:

How tall are your karts back tires?
Is that a 14 tooth drive-gear on your engine now?
What year was your Honda supedream 400cc made?
And also what top speed would you like this kart to achieve?

Also, what diameter is your karts axle, this will help trying to locate a #520 sprocket and hub that'll fit it.

ps:
This shop here in the states sells #520 sprockets: http://www.gokartgalaxy.com/shifter_kart_&_quarter_midget_sprockets_for_3.htm
But maybe you can find them in the UK to save on shipping charges...

I think there about 45cm?
Yes
Dont know sorry
Over 60mph
Too late to measure tonite, but its either 1" or 1 1/2"

Cheers

The bar is just sitting there btw

 

[theo]

Go with a jack shaft, it's much more substantial than the system you have there with a idler sprocket.

 

[anderkart]

I think there about 45cm?

Measure them when you get a chance, we need to be sure here

 

[lewikenzie1]

Ok will do, and would a jackshaft be fine under these kind of pressures, some of the hills I'll be going up are VERY steep.