New guy here. Was given a kart/buggy..need help. Lots o' pics

[danielzink]

Hey All,

Title kind of says it all.

I obtained this kart/buggy from a friend.

I guess first off - I'm looking for any I.D. anyone might have on this thing.

It look likes there's been quite of bit of DIY before it got to me.

I'm just having a hard time wrapping my mind around how I'm going to get some sort of a drivetrain into it (due to the angle of the sprocket/cover combo).

I'd like to run a motor/gas tank combo and get rid of the "sword of damocles" hanging over the kiddo's head.....

As well as pedals for go and stop.

Ultimate goal here is to build something for the kid to tool around the yard with while I'm wrenching on my buggies

My fabrication skills are okay, I can wield a pretty good mud gun

Before I drop even a dollar on this thing I want to make sure it's feasible.


Just looking for a little help/direction.

pics:

Thanks !

Dan



www.danielzink.com

 

[souperman000]

good looking kart!

The gas tank you can take off and use the one that comes with the engine you will eventually buy. One thing though, the seat back might be a little close to the motor mount, meaning the motor might not fit very well. But that all sepends on what engine you get.

I would remove the chain gaurd that is on the wheel for now. The drivetrain will probably fit, but again it depends on the engine.

Welcome to the forum

Edit - looked at the pics again, the positioning issue shouldnt be a problem. The engine mounting holes are far enough away from the wheel that the clutch should fit and the seat in far enough away as well...didnt see that the first time.

 

[danielzink]

Thanks for the reply.

The engine mount plate you see there is loose. It's just flopping around - not attached to anything - so you could say my engine mount positions are "limitless"

So - do you think a torque converter setup will work - or will I be limited to a centrifugal clutch ?

Dan

 

[souperman000]

If you move the engine mount over then yea, you will probably be able to fit a TC. Cant really tell from the pics ( I know its a dead axle) Does the axle move both wheels, can you convert it to a live axle set up? that might be more agreeable with a TC

 

[TheWingnut]

Welcome!
Thats a pretty nicepiece of mtal ya go there haha

And to answer your question about where to find pedals, i foujd mine at spidercarts.com, buf most of my other parts i got from BMIgokarts.

Also, i can help you with your sprocket arrangements and such if you could supply me with the size of rear tires you have, and do you already have any sprockets or are you starting from scratch? And also how big of an engine do you plan on getting? (to help decide which tc to get)

 

[OzFab]

Re: Drive train. It depends on how many dollars you want to drop on this thing.
For simplicity & economic reasons I would stick with a centrifugal clutch. Torque converters are a good idea (so I've heard) but are a lot more involved (again, so I've heard).

As you may have guessed, I have no experience with torque converters, but I'm not opposed to them.

In the end it comes down to how much you can/want to do & spend

 

[bighead]

With a kart this size I would go with torque converter for sure. More so that it is a two seater.

 

[Conker5295]

im still new to carts but it looks possible to me.

 

[mysteryboy28]

Re: Drive train. It depends on how many dollars you want to drop on this thing.
For simplicity & economic reasons I would stick with a centrifugal clutch. Torque converters are a good idea (so I've heard) but are a lot more involved (again, so I've heard).

As you may have guessed, I have no experience with torque converters, but I'm not opposed to them.

In the end it comes down to how much you can/want to do & spend

centrifugal clutches are weak compared to a torque converter.

torque converters are also NOT complex, and VERY easy to install.

torque converters do however cost more than centrifugal clutches, and with good reason: because they work so much better!

 

[theo]

I would use a small bike engine and mount it beside the driver unless you want to keep it as a 2 seat.

 

[Stephen115]

That would be an awesome rally kart!

 

[danielzink]

Well.

With all the positive comments I think I'm gonna go for the build up.

I want to keep it a two seater - plus - if I was to move the motor next to the driver it would necessitate some different drivetrain setup and I'd like to retain the the sprocket and guard that are on there.

Some may wince....but I'll probably end using one of the electric start Clone" motors from HF and a Torque converter setup.

Anyone have any ideas where I can find:

"Kid" sized seats for this thing ?

Where I might start looking for Torque Converters taht would have decent pictures or diagrams that would help me along in the fabrication process.


Thanks !

Dan

 

[mysteryboy28]

ebay is a great cheap place to find the TAV2 torque converter kit (or TL2, a knock-off, but not bad) cheaper than what a lot of the go-kart parts websites are asking. complete with backplate and bolts. probably looking at around $140 for that.

lots of youtube videos on how to build/fix a go-kart. just gotta get youtube crazy!

go-kart seats are crazy expensive, much cheaper to just make your own - using plywood, high-density foam padding (2-3"" for butt, 1-2" for the back depending on how padded you want it and how much room you have), cheap vinyl, and a staple gun. get creative (put a little thought and planning into it) and make the seats look nice.

 

[qtband]

Make your own seat from some foam rubber, a piece of plywood and some store bought vinyl. It's easy and will end up being a custom fit!

 

[mysteryboy28]

ha, jinx you owe me a coke! lol.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Well.

With all the positive comments I think I'm gonna go for the build up.

I want to keep it a two seater - plus - if I was to move the motor next to the driver it would necessitate some different drivetrain setup and I'd like to retain the the sprocket and guard that are on there.

Some may wince....but I'll probably end using one of the electric start Clone" motors from HF and a Torque converter setup.

Anyone have any ideas where I can find:

"Kid" sized seats for this thing ?

Where I might start looking for Torque Converters taht would have decent pictures or diagrams that would help me along in the fabrication process.


Thanks !

Dan

the clone motors are great.


MFG supply is the best website for buying torque converters and they carry all the parts too. (i dont work for them!)

http://www.mfgsupply.com/gomini/gominiclutch/gominiclutchtorq.html

 

[mysteryboy28]

any legit website is the "best" website to buy torque converters from, if they have the best price and reliable shipping! a lot of the best deals are on eBay.