Predator 301: The Build

[DirtRhodes]

Hey everyone,

Rhodes here. I owned a go kart as a young kid, like most of you probably did. I've always wanted to relive the glory days.

Found a go kart frame and decided the time is now. I know little about mechanics, just enough to get me by and learning on my own.

Here are the specs I've measured out thus far:


One seater
23" rear tires
Rear Differential!
12" Jackshaft 5/8" bore
9 to 60 Sprocket
Torque Converter (Comet 30?)
Brake Rotors

From what I've learned, these are the bare essentials. I've got a Predator 301cc 8HP fresh in the box ready to be mounted. She's quite big, so I have to rip apart the back end of the engine housing roll bar. Ordering a Comet 30 series with a specialty belt (because of the longer center distance between the driver and driven) rated for 10''+.

This is my first build and any help/advice/comments are highly appreciated!

 

[firemanjim]

LOL I saw that kart on craigslist a while back, if I'm not mistaken. It was 2 of them, the other had skinny front tires.... I tried to buy them, but was a day late.....
Sounds like you got a good plan of attack, but why a differential? It already has one?

 

[OzFab]

Jim, those are the current specs...

A series 30 TC on an 8hp engine? It may work but, you'll be pushing it; what size shaft does the engine have?

Oh & welcome to the forum

 

[DirtRhodes]

fireman: No way! Glad I hopped on the deal!

It surprisingly had the differential on it already. Which raises the question of whether this cart was custom fabricated, or made by a larger company. Regardless, I'm pretty happy with the overall construction of the frame.

Fabroman: Thanks! There's a lot of great info on this forum. Glad to have found it.

The engine has a 1'' shaft. I guess I am pushing it a bit with the 30. Figured as long as I install the 7'' instead of the 6'' driven there would be some cushion for the pushin'

 

[KartFab]

I had one like that and it had a 20 series. Either way your good with the 7" 30 series new and 8 hp.

It came from the factory with a differential, even the brake bands lol. Such a weird kart. Weird steering, weird engine mounting set up. No adjustment for the chain other than a tensioner under the motor mount.

Someone has posted about this as well a while back. It was identified. Can't remember the post though. Seemed like the kart was blue. The one I had was rusty and blackish reddish.

 

[tiremikejr]

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25722http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25722
take a look at this thread looks like the same make, Bird Baja

 

[DirtRhodes]

Gran_Pann: Yea that's exactly the same one I have. Super pumped. It's a nice little kart.

Tiremikejr: Thanks for finding the thread for me! This helps a lot!

Pictures soon on the progress. Thanks guys

 

[DirtRhodes]

New Progress:

Springtime is back and time to get to work on the old resto-mod of the Bird Baja.

I have primed the little bugger with Rustoleum. She looks good. I've also fabricated some seats out of an old Jeep Top, wood, and some cushion. She now has a new steering wheel that I welded on and a brand new jackshaft.

New tires are ready to be installed. Just need to get the rust out of the old rims.

 

[DirtRhodes]

Decided to go with the Comet 40 series TC with a belt with 10" CD. I'm having trouble finding the end pice that goes in before the bolt to attach the Driver to my 1" engine shaft.
Can anyone help me find the piece for it?

 

[supermanotorious]

you're looking at it, that is the large black "washer" that precedes the lock washer and bolt, OR wait: are you showing us the washer indicating you are missing that piece? if so I can get one from my man Ken at Bulletlines, although you can prob reach out to him direct and he'll sell it to you

 

[DirtRhodes]

Thanks for the reply. The picture I posted is showing that black "washer" is more than just a "washer". It actually goes about half an inch into the Driver and has a notch to fit the key of the engine shaft.

I may not need this part, a simple washer and bolt might do. Thoughts?

 

[kevbo22]

Thanks for the reply. The picture I posted is showing that black "washer" is more than just a "washer". It actually goes about half an inch into the Driver and has a notch to fit the key of the engine shaft.

I may not need this part, a simple washer and bolt might do. Thoughts?

I used a grade 8 bolt and flat washer, becasue I too could not find that part. Will be watching this thread to see what replys you get about this.

 

[supermanotorious]

I know it plunges in a little, I believe it is for support. In the past I packed a bunch of washers inside when I was missing that part as well. The washers I used were pretty close to the ID and OD

 

[DirtRhodes]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to the hardware store for a grade 8 Bolt and washer. Hopefully that'll do the trick.

Progress:

Work on the pedal fab went well. I came together rather quickly. I was also able to finally take off two of the outer bearing and replace them with new ones.

 

[DirtRhodes]

More Progress:

After fighting with these ancient wheels, I was able to take them to a local tire shop and have them break the bead. That's all they would do. The guys there said they couldn't take them off. So I loaded them up and took them home. Fought with them for an hour and a half and finally got all four tires off. I'll be working on getting all the rust off and painting them white

 

[DirtRhodes]

Off to get painted! Any suggestions?

 

[Hursty]

Off to get painted! Any suggestions?

Metallic Purple

 

[promccown]

That differential is sweet!

 

[DirtRhodes]

Tires and Wheels

Before and after of what the tires used to look like. It was a tough job, and I almost gave up. Every tire shop I went to wouldn't touch em.

They're all done and pretty now Perseverance pays off.

 

[DirtRhodes]

Decided to wait on painting the kart until a complete mock up.

Just mounted the tires on! Starting to look like a go kart.