Stephen115's homemade kart

[Stephen115]

Since my other build is going to take awhile I'd like to start this new one. The idea is basically to build a sprint kart and just have fun with it and see where it takes me.

Here is the frame so far:

(The pipes arn't off in the front, for some reason it just looks like that from the picture.)

I have coming in the mail: Steering, spindles and rear live axel

Yesterday I went and got slicks from this guy off craigslist he was selling them for $2 a piece and he had 100's. I got 4 6inch wide ones and 2 skinny ones, my friend also got 4. I'll probably be getting more from him later.

The Engine: right now I have a honda clone with govenor removed and 18lb valve springs. I'll just use this engine for now but I eventually want to get a briggs and straton and run 110 octane or something along those lines.

SJ

 

[Stephen115]

Anybody know where I can get wheels for my 11 x 6.00-5 tires? I can't seem to find any

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Why not enter this thing in the Build-Off? I love the seat!

As far as where to get parts, whereabouts are you?

 

[Stephen115]

I don't know anything about the build-off can you direct me towards some info?

I live in OKC,OK. I've been to the tractor supply here and they have wheels(i dont know if they have the wheels I need yet) and I know there is a Northern Tools here also. Parts that are online are a lot cheaper though...any advice will be helpful

 

[Doc Sprocket]

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14929

 

[Stephen115]

18lb valve springs came in today:

It was recommended to have when you remove a govenor

 

[Stephen115]

A little update on the kart, the whole front end cam in today except I need to get the tie rods. I just ordered wheels for the rear I'm super excited! I haven't decided if I'm going to use 6 inch wide wheels all the way around or just skinnies in the front....

 

[Doc Sprocket]

18lb valve springs came in today:

It was recommended to have when you remove a govenor

I don't know who recommended this, but I strongly caution you NOT to use them until you upgrade the other internals. Without a governor, valve flutter serves as a line of defense against catastrophic failure caused by overrevving. Stiffer valve springs negate this line of defense, making the proposition riskier.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

well the only thing gonna be slowing down the engine from exploding now is only the carb....

keeping the old springs acts like a rev limiter before you blow the engine.


put these springs in and there really is no limiter and the connecting rod is the next thing thats gonna brake, or the cam...

 

[Stephen115]

Affordable go karts.com and I quote

"With the engine side cover bolted back on, turn the engine over and watch the valves as they open and close to make sure everything is operating smoothly. Now you need to set the valve lash. Actually, after taking out the govenor, you should upgrade to stiffer valve springs. This is a good time to remove the stock springs."

 

[DustinWolfe]

you cant possibly believe everything you read on the internet. these guys aren't pulling your leg here. you may not break a rod(they never said you would), but you significantly increase said chances in disregarding their info. agk sells parts but they arent exactly world renowned engine builders.(ask this question on omb.....i dare you)

 

[Stephen115]

I never said I believe everything I read on the internet. I was showing where I read it so they didn't think I just pulled it out of thin air. I haven't even installed the springs yet so don't worry, i'll just have them for when I need him.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Oh, I never thought you pulled it out of the air- If you said you "heard it" somewhere, I certainly believe that to be true. My mission here is to make sure that you make a fully informed decision. While I do not profess to always be 100% correct (who is- really?), I believe that it is important to examine things from all possible angles before acting.

That said, this whole spring thing is a very strong belief of mine...

 

[Stephen115]

Oh, I never thought you pulled it out of the air- If you said you "heard it" somewhere, I certainly believe that to be true. My mission here is to make sure that you make a fully informed decision. While I do not profess to always be 100% correct (who is- really?), I believe that it is important to examine things from all possible angles before acting.

That said, this whole spring thing is a very strong belief of mine...

I understand, what all do I need to do to my motor to be able to use the springs, but not only to use the springs but to also gain power with pump gas? I have a 5.5 honda clone

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I wouldn't install the springs until you install a hi-po connecting rod at the very least. Depending on which of 8000 opinions you choose to accept, you may want a racing flywheel too. As far as other performance upgrades, you've got a lot of research ahead of you. There's plenty of things you can do by way of performance upgrades, from free to very pricey.

 

[bighead]

I used the 18lb springs with no problems. You just have to know when to back off. This was my first kart though. After learning more about it I would not do it again. It's fine when I am riding it. But not with friends and younger kids that just want to go ball's out.

Yah man enter in the build off.

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26

More info here.

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=25

 

[j.concepcion54321]

ive never modded my engines or anything but i can vouch for what your saying with letting friends and younger kids riding my kart. Its like as much as i tell them to fully release the gas before slamming on the brakes they just never listen and im forced to sit there and watch as they complain that the kart doesnt stop or that the clutch is wearing out... thats why i want to make a kart for just me myself and i, and then have a little fun kart that friends and family can use.

especially if it was modded like that you need to have a good control on speed and stuff like that so if its someone whos just gonna gun it and not be conscious of anything then i wouldnt recommend it like bighead said.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

IF you are forced to share a kart with a kid, or are building one for a kid that might be prone to mashing both pedals at the same time, there are two very doable fixes-

1) Place throttle and brake pedal on same side, like a car. This increases the chances that only one pedal gets pushed

2) Run a cable from the brake pedal to the governor linkage- when the brake pedal is pressed, the cable pulls the governor arm to the carb idle position, overriding throttle input. Therefore, pressing the gas pedal has no effect when the brake is on. Saw this on a kart once, and thought it was pure genius!

 

[Stephen115]

alright, made some progress on the kart today.

I am very happy with it so far. It rides about 2 inches off the ground give or take, the bar is just acting like an axel right now. I would have already ordered my axel and wheel hubs if BMIkarting's shipping wasn't so expensive! Anyways let me know what you think.

SJ

 

[cant kech me]

i cant see exactyly but aren't the two pieces of the bearing carriers supposed to touch so that the bearing fits into them with no play? not with one bearing carrier peice on each side of the mount?