Race kart build! GSXR 600

[Tstucke]

This is my first race kart build. I have a Carter kart and recently found a hammerhead. I am picking up a 05 GSXR 600 motor this weekend! If anyone has any experience with these or tips of building these feel free to shoot them at me! I'm new to this forum also so I look forward to talking with you guys!

 

[mckutzy]

Well you'll have your work cut out for you...
You'll need all the things that were on the bike that made the motor run, wiring harness/rad, clutch/throttle cables, might need all the lights aswell depending if the computer needs it...

 

[Tstucke]

Yea I'll have a better look at everything this Saturday! I'm getting it for a really good price and couldn't pass it up. I know it has wiring harness, cluster, ecm, air box, fuel rail. And I know I'll need to get a starter for it. I'm stoked about it right now, I know I'll be kicking myself later saying why did you put yourself through this but in the end it will be good!

 

[Tstucke]

Here's a couple more pictures.

 

[mckutzy]

What is wrong with the original motor?

 

[Tstucke]

I haven't even messed with the original yet! Mainly because I wanted to build a fast kart. Nothing over the top fast, I mean a 600 is pretty fast but I've also seen it done. But I have the same kart but it's all original put together with a 150cc motor and that's my family toy, my wife and I ride around the neighborhood in at very low speed. Here's a little backstory to the kart I'm building. I'm a trash truck driver, and I found this kart at a customers house in the middle of no where sitting under a tree with dry rotted tires. It was missing a battery and carb. I got it home and prepped it for a build, wheels and tires came off, seats which were falling apart from weather, came out along with seat belts that were so rusted they didn't connect anymore, then the motor came out. Very easy like 4 bolts in pretty sure. Anyways this is a project for sure, I'm not trying to build it in a weekend. But I figured motor should come first since that's the main part. After the 600 in ready to be in and everything, all suspension will be replaced with new. Including rack and pinion, steering linkage, steering wheel, mind you a lot of the moving parts are rusted. But anyways I didn't want to cut up my good running kart so I'm pretty much starting with a good frame and going from there. I'm more a car guy, I know more about bigger motors I don't know a ton about motorcycle motors but hey we all learn something new at some point!

 

[Turbshangin]

Here is a pic of my joyner buggy converted to a gsxr600 with a turbo hahaha

 

[big-d]

I like the idea! As long as you are not replacing the suspension with stock replacement parts. In a project like this, the engine is usually the cheap/easy part. Not saying that it is cheap or easy... It needs better suspension, shocks, brakes, steering, beefier parts all around, the cage is not up to par with the new speeds and force being applied and the list goes on. As long as you understand the items needing addressed (and if not, you will by the end) go for it! keep us updated with progress and we will help wherever we can.

 

[big-d]

Let me back up a little. I always assume off road use (I have an off road racing background). If it is a street only machine, or light trail use, it won't need near as much upgrading. Stock replacement suspension would probably work great.