Trailmaster Go-Karts

[LSU-FAN]

I'm new to go-karts and this past year I've bought two Go-Kart Projects, for me and my kids.

The first one was this smaller one, what I believe is a Trailmaster, and is a kids-sized go-kart. It was used and the guy threw in a used Harbor Freight Predator motor for $250 (total). I added some tires, cables, chain & clutch, but quickly realized the sprocket was on the passenger side and the predator motor had to be on the driver side (to go forwards). I swapped the axle & sprocket to the other side, and got it ready for an ATV event the kids could ride in. Also found out it was one-wheel drive, making it less useful in the dirt where we normally ride....plan to fix that sometime.

Last week I found a deal on this other go-kart, was told it was a 2018 Trailmaster 150cc, maybe a Blazer. It was cheap ($500) but I hope to get it up and going again. The wiring harness is cut and missing pieces all over the place, and the motor seems to be missing a few things as well. Trying to decide if I should fix up this motor or swap to something else, but that's for another post. Hope to find some answers on this platform.

-Caleb

 

[Denny]

Welcome!

 

[Hellion]

I'm super cheap. When did $500 become "cheap"? You may have overpaid, especially if it's Bubba-fied and/or doesn't work. Then again.....this is 2023 and inflation is rampant....I must recompute.

These Chinese buggies go by a lot of names, and between years might have a different brand and model name so finding info is that much harder. They are best in original condition if you can find them that way. Good luck, sounds like you bought someone else's problem.

 

[LSU-FAN]

I'm super cheap. When did $500 become "cheap"? You may have overpaid, especially if it's Bubba-fied and/or doesn't work. Then again.....this is 2023 and inflation is rampant....I must recompute.

These Chinese buggies go by a lot of names, and between years might have a different brand and model name so finding info is that much harder. They are best in original condition if you can find them that way. Good luck, sounds like you bought someone else's problem.

He had it listed on FB Marketplace for less than a day and had over 25 people inquire about it....many offered him full price but he just wanted it out of his backyard. The wiring looks pretty messy, might just go with an aftermarket motor...will check on it more this weekend.

 

[panchothedog]

I feel your pain. This forum is loaded with people having wiring problems with their modern GY6 powered Chinese kart. There are a couple of active threads where the two most knowledgeable guys on here are helping out folks with the same problem as you. I am not one of them. Buying a new engine of the same style GY6 will still leave you with a rats nest of a wiring harness. Won't fix the problem. If it were mine, ( and others have done this ) I would get rid of all the electronic B S, and convert it to a simple pull start industrial go kart engine with a torque converter. It will take quite a bit of modification to the rear end of the kart
and drive train to do so, but if you are mechanically inclined and know how to fabricate stuff not that complicated. Choose your battles wisely. Wish I had more
advice to offer. Go kart wiring is not where I shine.

 

[LSU-FAN]

I feel your pain. This forum is loaded with people having wiring problems with their modern GY6 powered Chinese kart. There are a couple of active threads where the two most knowledgeable guys on here are helping out folks with the same problem as you. I am not one of them. Buying a new engine of the same style GY6 will still leave you with a rats nest of a wiring harness. Won't fix the problem. If it were mine, ( and others have done this ) I would get rid of all the electronic B S, and convert it to a simple pull start industrial go kart engine with a torque converter. It will take quite a bit of modification to the rear end of the kart
and drive train to do so, but if you are mechanically inclined and know how to fabricate stuff not that complicated. Choose your battles wisely. Wish I had more
advice to offer. Go kart wiring is not where I shine.

Thanks. This bigger kart originally had an electric start and made me wonder if I should get the nicer 420cc predator with electric start - but that would require a new battery every year or two...or more often. A pull start might just be what I do. Got a buddy in town that welds, so I'm sure he can fabricate something to mount the motor and work on the rear axle. Hope to get this done by the Spring, so I'm not in a rush.