(PROJECT) AmEx Black

[OzFab]

Holy crap, these things are popping up everywhere!!!

 

[Fast Eddie]

Another street-ified AmEx.

 

[rkinney]

Thanks! When I got my Dingo the axle was bent so I picked up a 42" axle which has 2 inches of thread on each end. I could prob cut off an inch from each end just haven't done it yet. It doesn't have the step down like the stock axle. I ordered another one for the am-ex, didn't like the narrow 36 in axle on it. My motor mount bars broke after riding hard one day after changing over to the slicks. I replaced the bars with 1" tubing and added the cross bar so the tank would sit down in that area. I used to have the tank on the floor board under the steering. My street dingo frame is identical in size to my am-ex. I have noticed that some of the Dingos had bigger frames. I fixed up a Dingo for my old roommate and his was the same size as mine too. I'm 35 yrs old, prob too old to be playing with go karts, but I have a freaking blast on these things! These style frames in street trim are like the old vintage racing kart frames from the 70's. Mine handles like it's on rails, and it's pretty fast. With a 14 tooth clutch sprocket and 54 tooth axle sprocket (currently have a 68 on it for a little more gitty-up), it will do 50 mph according to my GPS. That's what the clip is for on my steering wheel, it holds my iphone. Doing the math with the tires that are on it, that's about 6000 rpm. I haven't even really started to mod the motor yet. Should be interesting once I do. Here's a pic right after I did the wheel and tire swap with the tank mounted on the floor.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Thanks! When I got my Dingo the axle was bent so I picked up a 42" axle which has 2 inches of thread on each end. I could prob cut off an inch from each end just haven't done it yet. It doesn't have the step down like the stock axle. I ordered another one for the am-ex, didn't like the narrow 36 in axle on it. My motor mount bars broke after riding hard one day after changing over to the slicks. I replaced the bars with 1" tubing and added the cross bar so the tank would sit down in that area. I used to have the tank on the floor board under the steering. My street dingo frame is identical in size to my am-ex. I have noticed that some of the Dingos had bigger frames. I fixed up a Dingo for my old roommate and his was the same size as mine too. I'm 35 yrs old, prob too old to be playing with go karts, but I have a freaking blast on these things! These style frames in street trim are like the old vintage racing kart frames from the 70's. Mine handles like it's on rails, and it's pretty fast. With a 14 tooth clutch sprocket and 54 tooth axle sprocket (currently have a 68 on it for a little more gitty-up), it will do 50 mph according to my GPS. That's what the clip is for on my steering wheel, it holds my iphone. Doing the math with the tires that are on it, that's about 6000 rpm. I haven't even really started to mod the motor yet. Should be interesting once I do. Here's a pic right after I did the wheel and tire swap with the tank mounted on the floor...

Sweet ride fo' sho'. Yeah man I'm almost 40 myself. But it's cheap, fun, and relatively safe. This frame is the same basic frame design as my old Rupp race kart. That's why I've always liked 'em. Was planning to go to a sprocket in the 50's also. Once the new rims/tires are on, I'll determine if I need a longer axle. The hubs I'm gettin' mount the rim outboard, so I may be ok.

However, I think a TAV would be the ticket. Gonna see if any fellow Outlaws has one apart so I can borrow the mount plate to check for clearance.

 

[OzFab]

I'm 35 yrs old, prob too old to be playing with go karts, but I have a freaking blast on these things!

Sweet ride fo' sho'. Yeah man I'm almost 40 myself. But it's cheap, fun, and relatively safe.

I'm 41 & just getting started

You're never too old to have fun

 

[rkinney]

However, I think a TAV would be the ticket. Gonna see if any fellow Outlaws has one apart so I can borrow the mount plate to check for clearance.

I want to put a Tav2 on one of the karts. Keep the gearing for top speed but still have some low end. I wish there was a kart club like the Emmett Outlaws around here in south Texas. I don't know anyone that's into karts. I want to get this Amex going soon so I'll have a second kart for someone to ride with me. I recently moved back to Texas and some of the neighbors don't like me terrorizing the streets, already had the cops called. I have to take the kart to parking lots to ride, no fun.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I'm 41 & just getting started

You're never too old to have fun

Amen, brutha! I'm 39 and feeling like a kid! (with some tools and experience...)

 

[rwd4evr]

i'm working on a sears kart(amex clone) with a lawnboy duraforce. just a word of caution to you guys runnin the big slicks on the amex, these karts were meant to slide at the limit. if you get bouncin in a hard corner with those monsters you can end up on your head in a hurry! vintage racing only allows rear engine karts to run old style skinnies. if your in the dirt don't worry about it though.
my kart need tons of work but for 90 bucks i got most of what i need even if i gotta rebuild the frame.

 

[Orange Krate]

More Mancos..I saw another Orange Krate like mine on the HAMB go-kart thread. Only other one I've ever seen

 

[rwd4evr]

i know the obstacles. i built my own blast furnace and shouldnt have any problems casting the mount plates that i designed in 3D. i also have a mini lathe to cut the bearing carriers. i went to school for welding, not saying i'm a master cause that takes time, but i can weld pretty good. the manco is for the nephews(and myself of course).
i'm also putting a late seventies margay pro-x together to race in vintage events. 103cc mcculloch saw motor, should be lots of fun on the track.
and thats how i got it. not my mess on the rear!

 

[Orange Krate]

HEY! No getting on here and showing us up in two posts
LOL
I look forward to seeing some build threads from you!

 

[rwd4evr]

i dont know if i'm losing it or what. i was replying to a post from someone that said my duraforce wouldn't happen. did any one else see that? can post be deleted? i even thought maybe i saw it in a PM. not there either.

 

[OzFab]

Posts can absolutely be deleted, either by the poster or a moderator.

This thread is getting a bit fftopic: so it may be more beneficial to you to start your own thread on the subject

 

[Iron John]

Really nice karts on this thread, all of them.

 

[rwd4evr]

i didn't intend to change topic, or show anyone up. but if somebody wants to be negative and say i cant do something i have to tell them whats up. negative B.S. is probably why the post was deleted. i will be starting a thread when its picture worthy.

 

[ferarrienzo]

can you give me more information about the tires of the big one ? if you have some plans of the kart i would be happy if u share them with me. i want also to ask whats the width of ur rear axle and whats the width of the frame where the axle is installed

 

[Fast Eddie]

can you give me more information about the tires of the big one ? if you have some plans of the kart i would be happy if u share them with me. i want also to ask whats the width of ur rear axle and whats the width of the frame where the axle is installed

Sorry Enzo, I didn't get a new post notification. Tires on the Dingo are Turfsaver lawn tractor tires. They don't tear up the yard.

Right after my last post I rolled the AmEx. Was drifting on some dirt roads and went sideways into a ditch. Dislocated my shoulder pretty bad. That was late last summer and I still can't pick up anything with that arm.

These things happen I guess.

You can also see in the pic above I swapped the rears with some smaller shoes I had laying around. Still planning to put on those rain tires though. Switched my sprocket from a 72 tooth to a 55 tooth and got my top end back. Picking up an old Dingo a friend gave me this weekend that I'm going to steal the TC from. Hopefully I can make it fit on the smaller AmEx frame.

 

[landuse]

Ouch!! That must have hurt! Have you still got decent torque after changing to the 55T?

 

[Fast Eddie]

Ouch!! That must have hurt! Have you still got decent torque after changing to the 55T?

Short answer is no...got back my top end but it was a bit slow outta the hole. But that leads me to my newest mod...

I have a friend that called me last week. Said he got a couple of karts with a vintage sled he bought. Knew I was into 'em so he gave them to me. Picked them up Friday nite. Another Dingo and a 2-seat Yerf Dog.

Figured I could pilfer some parts and put them out to the road for the trash pickers. But I got home and found not one but TWO Comet 20-series converter setups...with jackshaft mounts and all!!

So of course off comes the Predator for some more fabbin'

After some mockup of the jackshaft mount, looked like I had to raise up the motor. So I eyed the motor mount on the Yerf Dog.

Busted out the artillery and went to work.

But before I started hacking the AmEx up, I tried mixing and matching jackshaft mounts and driven clutches from the two setups. Came up with an easier solution.

Use the raised mount from the Dingo with the smaller driven from the Yerf Dog.

Also had to combine different spacers on the jackshaft to get perfect alignment of the belt and chain.

The only surgery I had to do was to notch the framerail a little for driven clearance. Plated it, ground it smooth, and painted it up. Turned out good.

Also switched to #41 chain. Stole the sprocket off the Dingo. Had to convert it to a "split" sprocket to get it off. Dingo wheel was not comin' off.

Now this thing flies outta the hole! Plus, that Dingo sprocket is 9.5" diameter and I'm still goin close to 40MPH!! The best is watching people who've ridden it before hop on it and take off. After their neck snaps back, they turn around and give me that "holy sh#t!" look.

Gave away the Dingo to a friend and my neighbor bought the Yerf Dog for $100. Not a bad giveaway at all!!

 

[rkinney]

I'd like to see a video of the Amex with the torque converter on it. I'm curious what the take off is like. Do you still have the governor on the engine?