New Guy looking for advice on first gokart kit for 10y/o

[mark4ksu]

Hello Everyone,

I'm planning to buy a gokart kit for my 10 year old son. I want a project we can build together. I'm looking for more of a nuts and bolts assembly project vs fabrication and welding. The Azusa gokart kits caught my eye, and look like what I want. I could buy the kit, a clutch, and harbor freight engine, and I think be good to go. The kart would be used on pavement, gravel, and in the grass.

But does anyone have alternative suggestions to the Azusa kits? I searched thru these forums and didn't see the Azusa kits pop up very often. So I'm assuming there are some good or better alternatives out there. I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Thanks!
Mark

 

[Denny]

As far as bolt together kits the AZUSA kits are it. 1 word of warning they are kind of small I hear. You should learn to weld though.

 

[mark4ksu]

Yeah, they do look small. I'm 6'-4" so I'm sure I wouldn't fit. lol. I saw a youtube video of some men folding up their legs to drive them. I'd probably try the same thing for a short period of time.

I can weld (not well), but for a first gokart project, I wanted to keep this somewhat simple. I think my son would enjoy doing a lot of the work, and I know he can't weld. I figured with a bolt together kart, he'd be involved the whole time.

If Azusa the only choice, are they decent? I'm handy and can fix issues, but I don't want to buy some junk.

 

[madprofessor]

I personally believe Asuza is the most reputable name in gokart parts, including kits. Linking below their catalog and retail price sheet downloads page so you can see the expanse of their products. Catalog should convince anyone that Asuza is a professional outfit, I reference my downloaded catalog all the time when figuring out various things on a build.................Downloads | Azusa (azusaeng.com) .................and here's a link to their gokart kits section, I personally would choose a full kit (frame included) with the largest (6") wheels to get that extra 1/2" of ground clearance for the axle sprocket, but note that on the 6" wheels kit that it only applies to the rear wheels, while the front wheels are only the 5" ones ................Go-Kart Kits (azusaeng.com) ...............and for reference, here's a link to JSE to price the Asuza 5" aluminum wheels kit (all 4 wheels) they sell for $685.34 ...............Azusa 3551 Go Kart Kit w/ Aluminum Wheels - Jacks Small Engines ..............because the same kit with the Asuzalite nylon wheels instead of the aluminum costs an extra $207.00 just for a miniscule weight reduction.

 

[Denny]

If you can’t weld good weld lots! Maybe you can teach you son how to weld on your kart, and you WILL build a kart for yourself.

 

[panchothedog]

Go Power Sports in Texas has kits also. They are quite a bit bigger than the azuza, and considerably more expensive. Have never seen either of the two but I would think that the Azusa aside from being too small for anyone other than a small child it would be too low to the ground for much off pavement use due to small wheel and tire size. I know the ones from GPS are available with bigger tires and wheels more suitable for off road use.

 

[mark4ksu]

@Denny. That's how I weld. Messy, but lots of it.

Thank you all for the input. I really appreciate it. It sounds like Azusa is a solid brand. I really like that you can buy replacement parts when/if something breaks. If he's driving correctly (having fun), he'll surely break something. lol.

I initially thought I'd go with the 5" wheel version, and upgrade later to the 6". After pricing the wheels/tires/tubes, I'm probably better off going with the 6" right from the start. The individual parts are expensive! He'll be doing a fair amount of driving in the grass and gravel, so I supect the extra ground clearance would be helpful.

One quick question about engines. I'm looking at the harbor freight predator engines. I initially thought the 212cc 6.5 hp would be good. Now I'm wondering if that's overkill, and if I should use the 79cc 3hp engine. Any thoughts on that?

 

[redflash]

never go backwards on hp. You won't be able to do much with the 3 hp if you want more poop later....but the 6.5 can be goosed up over 10 hp pretty easy. my 2 cents

Da Flash

 

[Denny]

Go with the bigger engine he will get used to it quickly. I put the step daughter(who was 8 at the time) on an 11 hp kart and in a few hours she was complaining about not enough power and speed. She had never driven anything before! Since he will be driving on grass and gravel it would be more prudent to skip the centrifugal clutch. Upgrade to a 30 series TAV II CVT with a Genuine Comet belt. The Chinese belts stink.

 

[mark4ksu]

Thankyou both. I'll go with the 'big' predator engine for the kart. 6.5 hp.

I hadn't given much thought beyone the centrifugal clutch. The kart I had as a kid had one and it seemed ok at the time. I'll check out the CVT. It sounds more espensive. lol. I guess all the good upgrades cost more.

 

[Denny]

Amazon has the generic ones cheap. Just use a genuine Comet belt on it. Yea they are more expensive but will outlast the generic belts 10:1.

 

[Budget GoKart]

i cant remember the company names but i think go power sports sells a manco repop and a couple other companys sell bolt together kits

Go-kart frames and Adult Go-kart Kits

Build your own adult go-kart with our complete kit or just start off with our complete frame.

www.gopowersports.com

 

[madprofessor]

I'll check out the CVT. It sounds more espensive.

Here's a link to just one of many CVT's on Amazon for an inexpensive price. No matter what you choose if you get a CVT (you really should), be sure to get one with the backplate for mounting to the engine instead of just the driver and driven pulleys, and be sure it comes with the sprocket you want. Most folks go with the #35 chain size (3/8" width) instead of the #40, #41, #420 chain size (1/2" width). Be certain before you buy, but the majority of the cheap CVT's come with sprockets for both sizes.....................Amazon.com: MOOSUN GO-KART TORQUE CONVERTER CVT CLUTCH 3/4" COMET TAV2 30-75 218353A Manco 12T #35 and 10T #40 41 420 : Automotive
EDIT: Oops! Forgot to give you a link to the GKS page that teaches you all you need to know about CVT's, plus how to measure for and order a genuine Comet belt to replace the short-life one that comes on cheap Chinese CVT's (the CVT's are fine with a Comet belt). Just read the whole page, the text at the top, and scroll to bottom to read even more text than that. The diagrams for each CVT series will show you how they work also.

 

[madprofessor]

Just accidentally ran across a pictorial guide for an Asuza Fun Kart build in my favorites file, pretty interesting, thinking you'll enjoy it................
Azusa Fun Kart Build-Up – Affordable Go Karts