New to go karting, need help identifying my kart!

[Olyptorius]

Hey there, so as many of you know, almost every child dreamed of having/owning a go kart. So it was my time to make that dream come true. I picked up a MBA shifter kart + lots of extras (another frame included, extra spindles, tires, rims, etc) for 160$ the other night not knowing anything about this thing.

So i was hoping that perhaps i could get some advice and information about it. Here is a link to a video i've made regards of the kart i purchased. Any help to be greatly appreciated! Telling me the year this kart is, a little about the braking system (assuming they're hydraulic) and whatnot.

VIDEO OF MY KART (1080p flawless quality) : http://youtu.be/dUm4Emqh_N4

 

[OzFab]

So, you got 2 frames plus a bunch of miscellaneous parts (but no engine) for $160; that's an awesome deal You should have enough to put at least one kart together... once you find an engine of course...

Anderkart is our resident race kart guru; he can probably tell you anything you need to know...

 

[souperman000]

That is a very good deal.

I agree, we need Anderkart!

 

[Olyptorius]

So, you got 2 frames plus a bunch of miscellaneous parts (but no engine) for $160; that's an awesome deal You should have enough to put at least one kart together... once you find an engine of course...

Anderkart is our resident race kart guru; he can probably tell you anything you need to know...

Awesome, glad i bought this kart then! Luckily i already have a rm125 engine waiting to be put in this bad boy once everything is sand blasted, powder coated and ready to be put back together!

 

[OzFab]

Awesome, glad i bought this kart then! Luckily i already have a rm125 engine waiting to be put in this bad boy once everything is sand blasted, powder coated and ready to be put back together!

Woo hoo! this thing is gonna scream. We demand you start a build log :toetap05:

 

[Olyptorius]

Woo hoo! this thing is gonna scream. We demand you start a build log :toetap05:

A build log huh? Would i just keep posting on this same thread i've created as my build log? If not, how so! I plan on making a rebuild video along with plenty of photos!

 

[OzFab]

On the main page you will see a "Photo Gallery & Project Log" link, start a thread in there when you're ready to go

 

[Olyptorius]

On the main page you will see a "Photo Gallery & Project Log" link, start a thread in there when you're ready to go

Perfect, thanks!

 

[anderkart]

You got an awesome deal there, but I'm not sure what brand your frame is. Although it might be a Birel brand kart. You could try sending them a link to your Video (and your CIK numbers) asking If Its one of their older models. Here's a link to their website with contact info: http://www.birelamerica.com/

I could be wrong, but I dont think "MBA" is a racekart brand/manufacturer, I think a previous owner just put those stickers on your frame.

Those "CIK 01 274/99' numbers on your frames tag are set of Homologation code numbers the CIK (this stands for: Commission Internationale de Karting) assigned to this brand/model/year of racekart, when the manufacturer had them inspect/approve the kart for competing in sanctioned racing events in Europe.

Those last 2 digits of "99" on your tag are not necessarily designating the year 1999.

The seller was telling you the truth about those angled (front) nerf-bar mounts in the frame no longer being allowed for competition at some racekart tracks; because sometime around 2001, new CIK rules required all racekart manufacturers to start installing front nerf-bar mounts that were positioned strait-outward from the frame, instead of angled-rearward like yours... (this was done for safety reasons to improve side-impact protection)


If you want to confirm what year/brand/model you have, I'd suggest you email (the Homologation numbers on your frames tag) to the CIK and ask them if they still have records of this number in their archives. You'll find their email info at this link: http://www.cikfia.com/contact.html

 

[Olyptorius]

You got an awesome deal there, but I'm not sure what brand your frame is. Although it might be a Birel brand kart. You could try sending them a link to your Video (and your CIK numbers) asking If Its one of their older models. Here's a link to their website with contact info: http://www.birelamerica.com/

I could be wrong, but I dont think "MBA" is a racekart brand/manufacturer, I think a previous owner just put those stickers on your frame.

Those "CIK 01 274/99' numbers on your frames tag are set of Homologation code numbers the CIK (this stands for: Commission Internationale de Karting) assigned to this brand/model/year of racekart, when the manufacturer had them inspect/approve the kart for competing in sanctioned racing events in Europe.

Those last 2 digits of "99" on your tag are not necessarily designating the year 1999.

The seller was telling you the truth about those angled (front) nerf-bar mounts in the frame no longer being allowed for competition at some racekart tracks; because sometime around 2001, new CIK rules required all racekart manufacturers to start installing front nerf-bar mounts that were positioned strait-outward from the frame, instead of angled-rearward like yours... (this was done for safety reasons to improve side-impact protection)


If you want to confirm what year/brand/model you have, I'd suggest you email (the Homologation numbers on your frames tag) to the CIK and ask them if they still have records of this number in their archives. You'll find their email info at this link: http://www.cikfia.com/contact.html

Thank you for replying! I've emailed CIK asking them so hopefully they can identify a few things. The odd thing is the brake calipers and cylinder that holds the hydraulic fluid (don't know the correct term) has MBA engraved on it. And what i've seen on birel karts is that they're brake systems have birel engraved on it. So it's a bit if a head scratcher.

 

[Kshannon17]

I don't know much about the karts yet, but comparing what you got for $160 to what I got for $500, you got an AMAZING deal! It looks like we have something close to the same year because my bars are angled and our set up looks similar but I don't know a ton.
I do know that if you are going to put an rm125 motor on it, you might want to buy a mount for something else and try adapting it to fit yours rather than starting from scratch. It seems that those front spindles are worth a lot more than $160 alone, and without those you can't bring the kart to many tracks with having a 125cc motor.(anderkart taught me that)
Feel free to refer to my thread for any questions, as you will be running in to similar problems that I had.
Anderkart left a list of online resources for used parts and great deals on anything you will need. Good luck on the rest of your build and keep uploading videos! Can't wait to see yours rip around, even if it is before mine.. Lol

 

[anderkart]

Thank you for replying! I've emailed CIK asking them so hopefully they can identify a few things. The odd thing is the brake calipers and cylinder that holds the hydraulic fluid (don't know the correct term) has MBA engraved on it. And what i've seen on birel karts is that they're brake systems have birel engraved on it. So it's a bit if a head scratcher.

Whoops, your right and I was wrong. With a little more Internet searching, I've learned that MBA is an Italian racekart brand I've never heard of before.

I found some good info here:--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBA_karts

Heres a link to the the MBA website (in the UK) with contact info: http://www.rossokorsa.it/index.php?lang=en

I'd try sending them your frames numbers, and a link to your video. They should be able to ID its model & year, no problem. (especially if you 'imply' you want to buy some parts from them...

PS:
You could look through these google search links too:
http://www.google.com/search?q=MBA+...XOFULmxMsayqAGB8YG4Cg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&prmdo=1
http://www.google.com/search?source...24fb5637e33ac3&bpcl=35466521&biw=1024&bih=556

 

[Olyptorius]

Whoops, your right and I was wrong. With a little more Internet searching, I've learned that MBA is an Italian racekart brand I've never heard of before.

I found some good info here:--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBA_karts

Heres a link to the the MBA website (in the UK) with contact info: http://www.rossokorsa.it/index.php?lang=en

I'd try sending them your frames numbers, and a link to your video. They should be able to ID its model & year, no problem. (especially if you 'imply' you want to buy some parts from them...

PS:
You could look through these google search links too:
http://www.google.com/search?q=MBA+...XOFULmxMsayqAGB8YG4Cg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&prmdo=1
http://www.google.com/search?source...24fb5637e33ac3&bpcl=35466521&biw=1024&bih=556

Once again, appreciate the help! Many thanks. I'll take a look at those links you've provided, hopefully i can learn a little more about this kart! That being said, i have a quick question... My pistons on my rear brake calipers seem to be jammed due to excessive rust and corrosion. Nothing is rotted, just caked. Any ideas how i could possibly free these pistons up? If you would like a detailed video, i'd be more than happy to make one!

 

[jpwaltz]

Olyptorius,

You got a good buy, for an older racing kart.

Now, the picture in your first post does show a shifter kart with front brakes.

That would indeed make it a 125 shifter.

The problem with that is that running in a 125 shifter class means you're going to be in a high competition environment - and I'm gonna bet you haven't raced karts before.

My suggestion to you is to find yourself a Yamaha KT 100 engine, or perhaps a 4-cycle clone engine, pull the front brakes off and join a racing club in your area and do a lot of track time, and then ease into actual racing.

I also would suggest that you save the refinishing of the chassis, etc. until after you get it all together and working. Then you can tear it down and refinish what you want. Otherwise you find yourself drilling holes in newly-refinished stuff. Just a thought.

A 125 shifter is a very, very fast machine, and you will definitely hurt yourself if you are not very careful.

Most clubs will let you run an outdated chassis in their low-competition club races, so having an old chassis won't hurt you there.

About the highest competition you'd really want to get into with your kart would be a TAG class, with a 125cc engine with centrifugal clutch. Pretty fast stuff, but nothing like a shifter class.

If you get into high competition, regional racing, they will definitely require that your kart meet current tech regs, which would not be cheap to do.

Have fun. Don't get in over your head.

PS: I've been racing for 14 years myself and have a few club class championships under my belt.

 

[OzFab]

Compressed air is the way it's usually done: Place a scrunched up rag in front of the piston, wrap the whole caliper (you don't want brake fluid spraying everywhere) & apply compressed air (as strong as possible) in where the fluid line goes. With enough pressure, the piston should pop out.

 

[Olyptorius]

Olyptorius,

You got a good buy, for an older racing kart.

Now, the picture in your first post does show a shifter kart with front brakes.

That would indeed make it a 125 shifter.

The problem with that is that running in a 125 shifter class means you're going to be in a high competition environment - and I'm gonna bet you haven't raced karts before.

My suggestion to you is to find yourself a Yamaha KT 100 engine, or perhaps a 4-cycle clone engine, pull the front brakes off and join a racing club in your area and do a lot of track time, and then ease into actual racing.

I also would suggest that you save the refinishing of the chassis, etc. until after you get it all together and working. Then you can tear it down and refinish what you want. Otherwise you find yourself drilling holes in newly-refinished stuff. Just a thought.

A 125 shifter is a very, very fast machine, and you will definitely hurt yourself if you are not very careful.

Most clubs will let you run an outdated chassis in their low-competition club races, so having an old chassis won't hurt you there.

About the highest competition you'd really want to get into with your kart would be a TAG class, with a 125cc engine with centrifugal clutch. Pretty fast stuff, but nothing like a shifter class.

If you get into high competition, regional racing, they will definitely require that your kart meet current tech regs, which would not be cheap to do.

Have fun. Don't get in over your head.

PS: I've been racing for 14 years myself and have a few club class championships under my belt.

Thank you! I don't plan on racing this kart though. Just for a little bit of fun and maybe get on a local track around here during a practice day if they will let me! Yes i most definitely will have to be cautious on this kart once it's built. I've owned a rm125 and a cr125 before i bought this puppy.

And yes i will get the mounts built and everything before powder coating begins! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Olyptorius]

Compressed air is the way it's usually done: Place a scrunched up rag in front of the piston, wrap the whole caliper (you don't want brake fluid spraying everywhere) & apply compressed air (as strong as possible) in where the fluid line goes. With enough pressure, the piston should pop out.

Here is my situation.

 

[anderkart]

I agree with Fabroman.

I'd use a rubber-tipped, air blow-gun. (like the pic below)

Also, be sure to flush your master cylinder and lines out, then use Dot-5 type brake fluid when you refill/bleed. Most all racekarts made in the last 20 years call for Dot-5, your gummed up caliper may have been caused by someone mistakenly adding Dot-3 (or 4) type brake fluid . Dot-3 or 4 doesn't usually mix very well with Dot-5 brake fluid....

 

[Olyptorius]

I agree with Fabroman.

I'd use a rubber-tipped, air blow-gun. (like the pic below)

Also, be sure to flush your master cylinder and lines out, then use Dot-5 type brake fluid when you refill/bleed. Most all racekarts made in the last 20 years call for Dot-5, your gummed up caliper may have been caused by someone mistakenly adding Dot-3 (or 4) type brake fluid . Dot-3 or 4 doesn't usually mix very well with Dot-5 brake fluid....

Just the answer i was looking for. What dot fluid it takes. Btw! Mbakarts got back to me and and this is their exact words.

"cik from 1996\99 vintage mean

if u need parts send pics"

So i guess they only built these from 96-99?

 

[OzFab]

Here is my situation. View attachment 27467

Ok, you may want to soak them in PB Blaster first...