Off road shifter kart

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Loylmongoose

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I was thinking about putting a 125cc 4 speed dirt bike engine on a Murray go kart. Any tips on hooking up clutch and shifter? Has anyone one else done it?
 

Flyinhillbilly

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I put a YZ125 on a dingo when I was a kid. I never got to ride it due to extenuating circumstances, but I used angle iron for the mounts, and made the shifter go straight up and down and connected a rod that ran forward to a lever I made that pivoted forward and backward on the frame. It seemed like it would've worked well. I cut a piece off of the handlebar and welded to the frame by the brake pedal and mounted the clutch lever on it. It was all pretty crude, but I was 13. I never got as far as getting the cable on it. I'd love to see you do this, I always wondered how it would've been.
 

Loylmongoose

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I going to start working on it around the 3rd of December. When I start it I will let you know how it goes. One thing I'me worried about is how to kick start it on the Murray frame. What would be a good cheap engine?
 

Jfive

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I buy a lot of 10 or so rod ends to make what ever lever contraption work smoothly, plus it allows for adjustability. Found eBay in a group/lot to be the best way to purchase these.
 

Joe-405

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The shifter and clutch lever you can make one piece by this..........

Take a old handlebar cut the end off
Put lever and grip on it
Add a hole at the bottom for the mount
Add a hole somewhere else close by for the rod end on the shifter

And presto all in one kit. No pedal issues. They stay the same.
 

Loylmongoose

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I want to do it on a murray kilowatt but there hard to find. I'm quite new to dirt bike engine do u have to hit the clutch ever time you shift?
 

Joe-405

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Most of these are no clutch needed after your moving just bang gears.

If you wanna keep replacing shift forks maybe. Unless it's a override there isn't any engines out there that you can do that Everytime and get away with it cleanly in the long run.

---------- Post added at 09:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------

And you can buy a clutch less 125 4-speed for cheap fyi. Just look for the semi auto transmission style.
 

Ebrownie

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If you want a decent motor you should find a CR, YZ, or RM. maybe get a blown up one for cheaper then rebuild it. A 2 stroke 125 will put out 30 hp+ I believe. They are lighter too, and you don't have to worry about changing the oil.

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 PM ----------

Many of them are also 5 speeds
 

Bwdeaton

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If you want a decent motor you should find a CR, YZ, or RM. maybe get a blown up one for cheaper then rebuild it. A 2 stroke 125 will put out 30 hp+ I believe. They are lighter too, and you don't have to worry about changing the oil.

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 PM ----------

Many of them are also 5 speeds

You still have to change the transmission oil in 2 stroke dirt bikes. You have to do it often, I change mine every 8-10 hours with good API GL4 wet clutch rated oil.
Also, many 250 2 stroke motors are 5 speed manual, however, almost all 125's and 85's are 6 speeds.
There is more involved in installing a 2 stroke dirt bike engine too due to the large expansion chamber that is designed to only fit one way, and you have to set up the liquid cooling for any newer bike motor.

The lifan 125 and 140cc pit bike type engines are easy ways to get a shifter build started on a budget. You also can select manual or auto clutch for your type of riding. These motors are pretty cheap and parts cost next to nothing.
 

bob58o

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I am interested for selfish reasons. I'm pretty sure I'm entering the contest next year with a ridiculous 5 speed minibike.
 

907debow1234

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I going to start working on it around the 3rd of December. When I start it I will let you know how it goes. One thing I'me worried about is how to kick start it on the Murray frame. What would be a good cheap engine?

Not sure how you feel about a dirt bike motor. But I Recently acquired a pw80 Yamaha engine. Upon doing some homework. Found they are relatively cheap and can produce a good amount of power with room for adjustments. Love to hear if anyone has used one of these before.


I'm in the same boat wanting to see an off road kart. Just have engine an no frame so can wait to see how the rest of your build goes.
 

OzFab

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As this relates directly to an existing thread, I've merged the two; we prefer you keep all related subject matter to the one thread...
 
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