Need help with build for son

[Johnbrown8907]

I bought this go kart for $50 for my son for Christmas. Want to add roll cage live axle maybe a new motor and a seat belt. Also led light bar and bigger wheels and tires.

Here are my questions
1 where can I find a good reasonably priced live axle assembly? Keep in mind I'm new to go karts and really don't know what I'm looking for.

2 How can i power the lights if it's a pull start?

Thanks

 

[KingCobra]

Try ebay, go power sports, BMI kart supplies, etc. Powering your lights has nothing to do whether it's electric start or pull start, I understand that you meant>> There's no starter, therefore, there's no battery, therefore, there's no generator. You have to make sure you have a built in generator and usually a sign that there ever was a lack of a battery and/or starter on your kart is a good giveaway that it has no generator. I doubt you have one. OK, you don't have one. Just keep it simple> Install a battery and lights to a toggle switch and just charge before using. Deep cycle batteries work best for that lack of self charging system w/ the engine for longer lasting charge to power your lights. OR, you can purchase another engine w/ a generator, OR you can install one if that engine will allow it.

BTW, LED's, ( and a smart idea) draw very little power from a battery and will run all night and day on one charged battery ( motorcycle size battery too!) And you didn't have to stand on that boat for a good close-up photo...... What engine is that?? And is that building a fine looking, well built 'MORTON'?? I miss our old one!! Must have been 1000 sq. feet!! Nice kart!!

 

[Hellion]

Nice find for $50--looks relatively complete.

What you have is a classic Brister's Thunder Kart. They typically came with a roll bar of sorts, over the engine and painted white. Pics attached.

1) To add a live axle, you're going to have to weld on some axle bearing hangers. If you are prepared to do that, we can advise you further.

If you desire this course of action (which needlessly complicates a fine kart as-is), you're going to need live axle wheels, or live axle hubs and wheels to fit. What is the length of the space between your rear wheels right now? That measurement can be used to size a new live axle...

2) What you need to power lights on a kart is simply an engine with a lighting coil. Such an engine has no need for an electric start, a battery, or what-not. It can be a recoil start engine if you like.

 

[Johnbrown8907]

I'm going to go with the predator 212 engine if the current one needs to much work to make it run. Does the predator have a lighting coil? Also adding a roll cage to it and bigger tires so the extra weight and the bigger motor is another reason I want the live axle. That and I have 5 other kids behind him so this thing is going to be used and abused for awhile after her outgrows it.

 

[anickode]

I'm going to go with the predator 212 engine if the current one needs to much work to make it run. Does the predator have a lighting coil? Also adding a roll cage to it and bigger tires so the extra weight and the bigger motor is another reason I want the live axle. That and I have 5 other kids behind him so this thing is going to be used and abused for awhile after her outgrows it.

The predator does not have a lighting coil, and it is not cost effective to add one. Look at Home Depot's Duromax engines. They are Honda clones as well (might actually be Lifans), and their 7hp model is available with a charging system and electric start for $175 I believe.

 

[Johnbrown8907]

How well does that motor run on go karts I just read the reviewed on all 3 and they all seem about the same.

Any other's want to recommend their favorite motor in the under 10hp class?

 

[Randy H]

http://www.powerlanddepot.com/power...log-splitter-gas-power-engine-electric-start/

Another option.

Is your engine beyond repair? What is it?

 

[KingCobra]

Just run LED lights and charge the battery before each nightly/weekly use and run the Preditor 212 cc, you'll be very pleased!!! There's videos on adding the charging system and changing out the flywheel on the Preditor 212 cc if you are so inclined.

 

[Johnbrown8907]

Randy H- not sure about ot the condition of the engine I'll get into it this weekend. Maybe somebody on here will know what it is. (There's a JD inside of a diamond) I was told its the predecessor to the predator engines.

King Cobra - I've heard the predators are good engines and I've considered going the route you suggest with the battery. But with that being serous it seems like almost every mage of engine has similar reviews.

Thanks guys.

---------- Post added at 06:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:24 AM ----------

Hellion- On the measurement for the rear axle should I pull the wheels off and measure from tip of spindle to tip of spindle that the hubs are currently mounted on?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

This is your engine?

 

[Johnbrown8907]

No mine is blue and half that size. I'll taker pictures later I'm hiding it at my friends house so my son doesn't see it.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

More like this:

 

[Hellion]

Hellion- On the measurement for the rear axle should I pull the wheels off and measure from tip of spindle to tip of spindle that the hubs are currently mounted on?

That would work. I didn’t realize you were that handy.

Most new guys with new-to-them go karts cannot get the wheels off (usually rusted-on permanently).

If you can find a stock engine off of a Baja Warrior MB200, they come standard with a lighting coil for the bike’s headlight.

Predators are good, also Duromax, the lronton engines from Northern Tool, they are all about the same and probably come out of the same factory in Chongqing...

 

[Johnbrown8907]

The hubs on this thing look fairly well greased so hopefully they will come off fairly easily. But if not cutting torch and a new axle it is. The wife and I decided to go ahead and leave it as is so my son can help work on it his self. Thank you for all the info I'm sure we'll use plenty of it and be back for more soon enough.

 

[Hellion]

The hubs on this thing look fairly well greased so hopefully they will come off fairly easily. But if not cutting torch and a new axle it is. ...

Golly. Now your cutting torch option is only a theoretical what-if at this point, but that sounds like drastic measures.

Come here first if it comes to that sort of... barbarity.
We're pros in dealing with seized and frozen stuff.

Keeping the kart stock is a good idea. With the final drive as-is, you can do cool burnouts like this Thunder Kart...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrSi68FtxcU