Using race kart wheels on vintage race kart

[oldbeagle]

Got what I think is a vintage race kart with live axle, similar to an A-bone or similar.
When I bought it for $75, it had race kart wheels on it with slicks in poor shape. The rims are 1pc and attach to 3 bolt hubs which seems to be what current race karts use. I want to put a new/used set of race kart wheels on it of the same size so I can turn it both left and right and use it other than just a circle track.

The front wheels were as wide as the rears and the previous rider used spacers to keep the rims from hitting the frame. What's a typical rim size and width I could use for vintage karts that will prevent interference?

The rear axle has threaded ends, but are rusted and damaged so I like the 3bolt hubs that clamp on instead over the keyway and don't use the threaded ends. What's a typical size and width for rear slicks? I see rim sizes of 5 and 6 inches and I want to stay with a popular size and width. This thing will never be raced unless an informal event comes up so don't need an expensive wheel setup. I will certainly look for used wheels and tires.

I COULD use my old margay series 62 rims from my superdart, but that's a future restoration project.

 

[jandj]

First question is "how original do you want to keep the kart?"
Post some pics so maybe we can tell what you have and what originally came on it.
One thing to remember about a vintage kart is they are not designed to run wide sticky tires, you can get on your head quickly that way.

 

[jandj]

It's the way the chassis are designed.
Vintage karts don't flex the way modern ones do, you run wide sticky tires it's gonna bicycle and dump you on your head.
Say you go hard into a left hander - a modern kart will
pick up the left rear, a vintage kart will pick up the left front.
There's a reason guy's who race vintage rear engined karts stay on hard skinny tires.
Part of the fun is the "toss it in there and slide the *** end" technique.

 

[Poboy kartman]

You should listen to Jandj.....there's a reason he wears a helmet just to post......

 

[jandj]

I'm far from any kind of expert and there's a lot I don't know, but I've learned a few things about vintage karts since I started messing with them a few years back.
Most has come from listening to people who have been at it far longer than I have, and some from practical experience....wearing a good helmet being one of them, the other being "fight the instinct put your arm out if you get tossed!"

 

[Desertduler]

I'm far from any kind of expert and there's a lot I don't know, but I've learned a few things about vintage karts since I started messing with them a few years back.
Most has come from listening to people who have been at it far longer than I have, and some from practical experience....wearing a good helmet being one of them, the other being "fight the instinct put your arm out if you get tossed!"

Absolutely!

 

[oldbeagle]

Original poster here:

I think I have a post on this board from last year showing a pic of this kart. 4inch x 5/8 spindle on front, standard 1inch axle with keyway in back. Anyway, I'm not interested in keeping it original since there's nothing rare or special about the frame. I do want to have something skinny on the front since that is what it was designed for. I was considering modern 1pc rims and slicks since I already have the 3 bolt front and rear hubs that fit them and sometimes there are cheap used wheel/tires sets on ebay. It goes without saying I want to do this with cost in mind.

 

[jandj]

More than likely what was used "back in the day" on that kart were either 11x4.50-5 (a hair under 4" wide) or 10x4.10/3.50-5 (3 1/2" wide) on the rear.
Up front probably were either the same 3 1/2"
wide tire or possibly the 2.5" wide 11x3.50-5 or 4.10/3.50x4 skinny fronts.
A big motor kart might use the 5 1/4" wide 11x6.00
-5, that's about as wide as they got in those days.
Keep in mind these are hard tires, 65 Duro.
You could probably get away with a softer tire on dirt where you're sliding more just keep in mind you don't want too wide or soft on asphalt.
I know you're trying to keep the cost down but if you're lucky you might find some old Douglas or Van K two piece wheels that'll both fit your existing hubs and the skinnier tires.

 

[jandj]

That's his Superdart with side bars and a rear bumper added to survive dirt ovals.
I think he's talking about the one in his "Can you ID this kart" thread, looks somewhat like an A Bone but not quite.

 

[jandj]

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=49273&d=1403404242
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=49274&d=1403404242

 

[oldbeagle]

jandj, you're pretty good! That's my kart I am talking about. As you can see, the sprocket is almost as big at the rear tire. Had pretty good acceleration even with a stock motor. From looking at tire sets on ebay, I might have to spend around $150 to get rolling again.

 

[jandj]

How many teeth are on your clutch & sprocket?

 

[oldbeagle]

IIRC, 60 teeth on the sprocket, and not sure on the clutch. It's just a standard old Maxtorque using #35 chain. It's pretty worn out and does not track straight either so I'll have to get a quickchange sprocket hub to replace it.

 

[jandj]

Probably a 10t on the clutch, that's a good ratio.
The sprocket looks big because those racing tires are lower in height than what came on it.