Strange question for a future project

[dman]

I've been mentally designing a full custom kart build that, if I do it right, would be street legal at some point.

I'm mainly needing help figuring out first the engine, I'm wanting a v-twin where the heads and cylinders are removable so I can make a mold of them and the case.

Second, I'm wanting a sequential transmission with reverse or/and a Cvt that doesn't act like it's running through the gears like some cars do. I don't know if a car's Cvt is like a karts, though.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Get an old shovelhead H-D engine and a reverse kit (sells on Ebay for ~$1100).

Next question.

 

[dman]

Get an old shovelhead H-D engine and a reverse kit (sells on Ebay for ~$1100).

Next question.

I'm not wanting a separate shifter for reverse on this project, I'm already wanting three levers on the right side if I have it figured out right. Do any bikes have a manual with reverse?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Some trikes do, big touring bikes also. << Big $

 

[itsid]

BUT..

Most bikes I know use an electrical reverse instead of reversed gear
so that'd require an even bigger battery and some sort of motor controller ideally...
it's still cheaper than the traditional method (for 'lightweight' vehicles at least)
which in fact is put gearbox in neutral push button to roll back slowly...
IIRC Goldwing comes to mind using such electric reverse...
in fact I cannot think of any japanese bike that doesn't nowadays..
so be aware.


There are tiny chinese scooter engines out there with classical approaches (125cc 3+1 gearboxes)
and several with external F'n'R attachment (some as small as a can of coke)

but if you want a V-Twin as ez said... Big bucks ahead.

'sid

 

[Kartorbust]

Well you could find a wrecked quad maybe a Raptor and pull the engine out. Those do have reverse. Otherwise you'll be looking at getting a FNR gearbox out of a quad, those can come with a high and low range.

 

[dman]

Thanks Sid, very informative as always, it would be nice to have have an electric reverse, if I can put it on the front wheels between the hub and rotors maybe...... It something new to think about.