Nice to meet you!

[NitroxNewbie]

Hey there y’all!
Appreciate the opportunity to find a group of like minded individuals!

Just started my Karting escapade
Got ahold of an older Murray frame for cheap and a brand new 212. Now I’m in love and have to do all so

I did notice I was flying through my back tire, and I’m looking to upgrade, but wasn’t sure how to measure for clearance around the back axle.
I’d like to go with 14’s for the front and 16-18’s for the back.
Idk much about tires and sizes and such so I could def use some help
What’s currently on it is 11/4.00/5 on the front, and 145/70/6 on the rear.

 

[Thepartsguy]

It’s not that simple post a picture of the clutch chain and sprocket. You’re going to run into issues immediately wanting to run big rear tires.

 

[panchothedog]

Welcome. The tires that are on the rear right now are very close to as big a tire as you will find for 6" rims. 15" tall is as big as there for 6" rims. Are you running a torque converter, or a centrifugal clutch? Big tires will kill a C. C. very fast. Can't tell you about the fronts. Just look for the tallest tire you can find for a 5" rim. Might not be a big selection in that size. If you find taller ones, mock up some cardboard disc first and make sure they won't run the frame when you are turning.

 

[Hellion]

 

[Hellion]

Go bigger!

I did notice I was flying through my back tire

Ambiguous statement. Do you mean wearing it out? I mean it happens, but the singular “tire” as you say almost implies you’re wearing out just one which also implies the kart might be one-wheel drive.

As for tire choices I would perhaps avoid tires that have that rounded profile (they look like minibike tires) like yours. That means you’re wearing out the raised center and quickly. You can do well on ‘turf saver’ lawnmower tires with the chevron shaped lugs which will give you more traction, even wear and lower cost over the specialty tires.

I would attempt to match the tire sizes front and rear, avoiding the ‘top fuel dragster/funny car stance’ wherein you really don’t want lower ground clearance in the front. It’ll be fun shopping for bigger rims and tires….

…and a Torq-A-Verter which you’ll need.

 

[Denny]

Welcome!

 

[Thepartsguy]

Go bigger!


Ambiguous statement. Do you mean wearing it out? I mean it happens, but the singular “tire” as you say almost implies you’re wearing out just one which also implies the kart might be one-wheel drive.

As for tire choices I would perhaps avoid tires that have that rounded profile (they look like minibike tires) like yours. That means you’re wearing out the raised center and quickly. You can do well on ‘turf saver’ lawnmower tires with the chevron shaped lugs which will give you more traction, even wear and lower cost over the specialty tires.

I would attempt to match the tire sizes front and rear, avoiding the ‘top fuel dragster/funny car stance’ wherein you really don’t want lower ground clearance in the front. It’ll be fun shopping for bigger rims and tires….

…and a Torq-A-Verter which you’ll need.

a torque converter won’t fit his kart without modification/welding if his clutch is mounted outboard.

 

[Hellion]

a torque converter won’t fit his kart without modification/welding if his clutch is mounted outboard.

I had no idea. Luckily we're a DIY site and we can kick him out or chastise him mercilessly for non compliance.

 

[Thepartsguy]

I had no idea. Luckily we're a DIY site.

ON ANY ENGINE ON ANY GOKART\MINIBIKE it is the general remember this before buying parts rule #1

Torque converters are very easy to study. The chain rides very close to the engine case on a torque converter.

Just like picture #1 the chain is close to the case. Remove the clutch in picture #1 and bolt a torque converter right on without chain misalignment.

Picture #2 shows a clutch mounted outboard away from the engines case. So a motor mount available from gps to raise and move the engine over on most mini bikes.

OR cut your engine mount and move it over. Best case scenario is you just loosen the live axle sprocket hub and move the axle sprocket so it all lines up.

 

[Hellion]

Actually I had an idea of the effort involved but not on his particular kart. I see it now. Shoulda looked at the pics more closely and at the 'business end'.



That being said, I hereby change my mind. Instead of reinventing the wheel and hacking up his kart for a TAV, he should unbolt the silly roll cage [thereby dispensing with the silly shopping basket in the rear], add smaller rims in the back, do away with the knobbies and mount slicks. Et voila! A road racer....