TaoTao bought to flip

[MrC.]

Flipping Karts

Hey Guys,
I picked up this little jewel this morning to flip for some extra spending money to put a live axle in my kart.

Its a Chinese 2014 Taotao side by side gokart,
The seller said it needed a clutch, a key and a battery, I also see its missing the sprocket cover.

All I know right now is it will freely roll in all gears even park. I can hear the trans clicking or shifting but do not get any resistance when I push it. First things first is to do the basics get it running and see what works and what doesn't.

Plan A is to fix it and sell it.
Plan B strip it and put a predator on it and sell it.
Plan C rip the axle out and put it on my little kart.

Does anyone know of a good stateside dealer to get parts?
I'm looking for a online manual now.

Thanks for looking,
MrC.

 

[Hellion]

Looks like a good score, if you didn't pay too much. I've seen these though with the 'faux Hummer' grille on the front. Basically a car too with all those amenities.

What's your overall impression of this buggy (build quality, quality)? I guess you'll know more when you can get it running halfway...

 

[MrC.]

I got it at a good price so no issues there.
Over all I really like it. the frame is thin wall tubing and cheaply made, but there is a ton of tech in this kart: Hydraulic brakes, rack and pinion steering, adjustable upper and lower control arms, full suspension, 4 point seat belts, 3 forward gears, reverse and electric start with lights. I know its not a name brand but that is a lot of options for very little money.

Update last night;
I cleaned the carb and fuel system and checked the electrical side of things, motor was stuck but freed up pretty easy with some PB blaster and rocking it with a ratchet a little, found a bad main ground on the case it didn't even meter. after all that I choked it and spun it over.
Success it runs and idles nice revs up smooth, I do not have any gears! so now I will have to pull the engine and check the clutch and flywheel. it is got to be one of those not transferring power to the output. I adjusted the clutch all the way with no change. There are no noises or rattling inside so that good news.
So for this first night I feel it was very successful.

MrC.

 

[MrC.]

Update

So far so good,
Pulled the engine took about 15 minutes. it drops out the bottom after you take off the muffler.(incase anyone wants to know)
I opened the case and all looks well, I was able to shift it manually now with the case opened. It looks to be the original gasket so I don't think anyone has been in the case before. Maybe someone over adjusted the clutch and the selector got moved out of position and then could not get back in. I don't know. but since I have it tore down, I will change the clutch anyways. I have a new one on the way and hope to have it put back together and moving under its own power next week.

Does anyone know who might sell the small 12volt batteries that these Chinese bikes use?

MrC.

 

[Hellion]

Looking good and thanks for the update. This is like a mini-review for these basically unknown buggies.

I'd figure any motorcycle type small battery (lawn & garden too) would fit -- there's certainly an abundance of different types.

--> What size is the battery box?

 

[Eric87]

I bought a small battery at Walmart . Chinese quad eton 90cc .

 

[MrC.]

It has a very small Battery box I have not measured it but I'd guess about 4x5 at the most.
I have a lawn tractor battery but its like 5 x 7. I may build a box and use it just to not put anymore money in this since I am building it to sell.

I have secured a two seater cater this morning. It runs and drives, just needs some TLC. will sell it too. I will post its progress as well. these things are addictive, I have 4 karts now. lol that crazy.

MrC.

edit: Thanks Eric I will look into it.

 

[Hellion]

Indeed it is addicting, especially when you know thyself and thy capabilities and the fact (as Poboy knows) that we live in a disposable society. Part of it is also the gratification one gets from turning someone's junk back into treasure and worth.

I need more space in the garage...

 

[Eric87]

Did you just order plates for that clutch . Friction and drive plates?

 

[MrC.]

Well, I don't have a lot of capabilities, maybe just average shade tree kind of guy. I got lucky on this one because the coil, and CDI box seems to work. The electric side of things cause me more grief than the mechanical.
Yes, the satisfaction of fixing something someone else gave up on is very rewarding. I enjoy the art of the haggle as well. I have been wheeling and dealing my whole life.
MrC.

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:27 PM ----------

No Eric, I didn't, I found a new clutch on ebay for 29$ free shipping, I saw the disk after I made the order for 12$ which is a good deal, but I have no idea how to change them.
MrC.

 

[firemanjim]

The clutch isn't hard to change at all. First and foremost though, when you get it, put it in a dish and covered in fresh oil. It needs an oil soak for a good 12-24 hours.
If I'm not mistaken, you will also need a special clutch socket to remove it. It cost me like $15-18 ..... It is the only way I know how to remove the nut holding the clutch. I also found that it's easier to break it loose by hitting the end of ratchet handle with big rubber mallet (or a hunk of 2*4) .... Like a homemade impact wrench. Don't try wedging something in there to keep the clutch from spinning. You will do some damage.
It's not a hard job. I taught my oldest boy how to do it, when he was just 10 y/o .....

 

[MrC.]

So while I am waiting on parts for taotao I drug this beauty home.
I will tear into it tomorrow and see whats what..someone needs to stop me this is number 4.

Mrc.

 

[MrC.]

I didnt buy this one. Any idea what it is? The tube size is 1.5 a very strong frame?

 

[MrC.]

Anyone recognize the last kart pictured? The black one. I am thinking about buying it to.
mrc.

 

[kevbo22]

someone needs to stop me this is number 4.

If you're making money flipping them, dont stop!

 

[MrC.]

The Good and the Bad.
I have replaced the clutch and re-installed the engine, Clutch works great but still no gears, I was able to find second and neutral by shifting by hand but not consistently. It feels fine no issues with the feel of the shift selector but it does want to go into gear its like a half shift it try's to shift out of one gear but doesn't make it to the next so it just stays in the gear it is in.
This is one smooth quiet running little engine. While I was in the case on the clutch side I didn't see anything out of place, it looks like the gear selector on the driver side runs through the case to the passenger side where it moves a arm which cycles a plate on top of the clutch, I did not see any gears or shift forks or synchronizer.

Do any of you know where or how to inspect or replace syncro's or shift forks? Are they located deeper in the case maybe behind the flywheel and clutch?

Thanks
MrC.

 

[Eric87]

The Good and the Bad.
I have replaced the clutch and re-installed the engine, Clutch works great but still no gears, I was able to find second and neutral by shifting by hand but not consistently. It feels fine no issues with the feel of the shift selector but it does want to go into gear its like a half shift it try's to shift out of one gear but doesn't make it to the next so it just stays in the gear it is in.
This is one smooth quiet running little engine. While I was in the case on the clutch side I didn't see anything out of place, it looks like the gear selector on the driver side runs through the case to the passenger side where it moves a arm which cycles a plate on top of the clutch, I did not see any gears or shift forks or synchronizer.

Do any of you know where or how to inspect or replace syncro's or shift forks? Are they located deeper in the case maybe behind the flywheel
and clutch?

Thanks
MrC.

When I did my cr 125 I fried primary first . Had to split the cases to replace it . Not sure if your engine is like that or not .

 

[Jfive]

I thought these just had forward N reverse? Pictures I seen showed an interesting way for getting reverse almost like spider gears how you make one tire spin the opposite of the other when you turn it by hand in the air.

 

[MrC.]

This model has 3 forward gears and a reverse. its a semi auto and has a live or solid axle in the rear. the trans is part of the engine. The model you are speaking of runs a separate gear box that the axle runs through. this is not that type.

Thanks,
MrC.

 

[MrC.]

Update:
I spoke with a mechanic at www.killermotorsports.com they sale and service these type karts and atv's. I have to say after being hung up on by three other's sellers of these type units. He was very helpful. There is a set of shift forks that tend to get bent and also the main gear set in the trans can be replaced for less than $50. which all sounds good. The real question is can I split this engine in half to replace them? I don't know. I am going to pull it out again and take a chance, I have nothing to loose at this point. a predator and torq-convertor has always been the fall back plan. I will post pics of the engine as I tear it apart incase anyone wants to see it.
Wish me luck.
MrC.