Where to start when it comes to buying parts?

[Krustalien]

Interesting! I've seen plenty of karts of that style. Would I not be able to take the back wheel, and replace it with an axle, instead of trying to build a whole back end to fit a bike engine? How stable are these things?

Also, I doubt I'd buy plans as the parts I'd need likely won't be available, I'd build it of my own accord.

It all depends on whether I can get my hands on a bike. Also on if I get a reply from the guy on ebay selling this: http://cgi.ebay.es/6-5-HP-MOTOR-A-G...9?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_186&hash=item35b01982cd

It's the only engine of the right size and style I've seen being sold in Spain to date. I've asked him if he has a physical shop somewhere in Spain.

Is anyone familiar with that make of engine? Thanks.

 

[fowler]

never heard of it

the reverse trike is qutie stable and probs a good move to design your own
dont froget if u get an engine like this one then u will be up for a clutch as well

a scooter might work as it has a torque converter build in but im not sure

read the local paper or ask around i bet u will find a bike for cheap

 

[Krustalien]

Well, I mean, you can buy brand new mopeds, 49cc, for 600€. Although, I think I'd be looking for a little more power than a 49, I think they're usually around the 2.5hp mark.

I am aware I'd need a clutch for that engine. Also, I'd probably find a scrapyard of sorts for a bike, I wouldn't need any of the front end besides maybe the brake system.

 

[fowler]

u dont even need the front brakes as there is brakes on the back u do want the controls like throttle and clutch

 

[Krustalien]

I meant the controls and hydraulic brake parts for the back that are on the front, haha, sorry, my bad. But that is a good point, I'd pretty much need a whole bike.

I think I'll be stretching my budget if I need virtually a fully functioning bike. I just spoke with my dad and he has agreed to take me and a friend down to take a look. I might get lucky...

 

[fowler]

the best thing u can get is a bike someone has crashed and it has smashed the front end out of repare as these bikes are usless for anything but spares (or gokarts )

u need to make sure u have both (or one) carberetor and if u can get it the header pipes
dont worry about the muffler as u can make one

if u can get a running bike (self explanetory) but if u cant then do some basic checks

like kick it over and see if u can feel good compresion, also do a visual check to see if there is any other structural damage

oh and if they alow u to take the spark plug out and check for a spark because if it is a case of just cleaning the carb then u are in for a win

i think most of the stuff i metioned u would figure out your self but the compresoin check is quite important

 

[Krustalien]

Thanks. What should I be feeling for in checking the compression? I'm currently looking on a particular site, I have found many many old bikes in my area in decent condition, just had a crash and buckled the chassis making it no longer road worthy, going for 200€ or so!

Quite a few parts going too.

 

[CriticalMass]

If you get a bike it's going to come with alot of parts you need. Brake cables, sprockets. You can even use the foot pegs as your gas and brake in some fashion.

After you get something built it would probably be easier to find replacement parts too. I see quite a few benefits of adapting bike parts for a cart.

 

[r97]

Here is a great example of what you are probably interested in making,
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8563

 

[Krustalien]

Thanks for the links. I'll be going down on Thursday, or tomorrow, to take a look. I am still very interested in that engine I linked from Ebay. 6.5, 196cc, standard engine. I can get it and it sent here for 110 euros, which I think is a fantastic deal.

I have a problem with sourcing (surprise surprise) an axle. Could I not simple buy a steel tube of the right diameter and weld sprockets and whatnot to it? Or do I need an axle with a keyway and all that jazz?

Thanks.

Edit: when I say trouble, I mean racing kart axles that are amazingly pricey (more pricey than the engine by quite a margin).

 

[redsox985]

Tube will most likely not work unless it's cro-moly. What size have you been looking for and where have you been looking? Does it need to be from Europe?

 

[Krustalien]

I haven't found enough of anything to be able to be as specific as size yet, really. And yes, more accurately Spain.

 

[redsox985]

You may be on your own for the most part here. I think you may be the only one from Spain. We could get you a handful of US sites, but that may cost too much for imports and customs. Maybe the additional fees will be worth it. You can get a 40" long, 1" OD axle with 1/4" keyway for 20 USD. This is solid steel and has threaded ends. This is at BMIkarts. Maybe you can look into customs fees?

 

[fowler]

id tryu and souce from european countrys

try germany they have big industry

but it wouldnt hurt to look at freight costs because they are definitly cheapest

 

[r97]

instead of looking for a go kart axle, look for "keyed shafting" might get you some more results. also, if you g with the clone, maybe use a belt tensioner clutch to save cash? look for old exercise equipment, steel tube and other goodies!

 

[Krustalien]

Thanks guys. It appears I'd have to find other parts or things under other names and then try and get them to work for me. I am aware of the things you can get in America, haha, as I've said I am super jealous of you all, that may be hard to understand from your perspective though I guess.

I'll look into "keyed shafting", I'll recheck prices for shipping stuff too. (I fear shipping may cost x5 more than the actual product, my dad had a hard drive sent over from the US, it weighed maybe half a pound, 130$ to get it here!)

I have also, believe it or not, considered a homemade clutch. A belt that goes around 2 pulleys, with a spring that tensions it and therefore engages, or loosens and therefore disengages. Would a car fan belt be OK for something like that?

I mean, a commercial centrifugal clutch might well be worth the extra cost. I don't know, we shall see.

In other news, yesterday I went to town and found out some stuff. I can get wheels which have metal rims, probably iron haha, with crappy bearings of some sort in them. What is interesting though is that they're filled with foam, so they'd probably be better at speed as a valve for air is less likely to be ripped out. 19€ though, more expensive than I thought. The equivalent ones with air and a slightly nicer (less knobbly, actually) tread were 22€. Possibilities for front wheels methinks.

I then went to the car spares in town, I asked if they had trailer wheels, as I expected they said no, but when I asked if they had high speed bearings, they did. So that's good.

I then went to one of the metalwork shops/things in town and asked for steel, they said no, no one in town sells or uses steel. I'll have to go to the nearest big city, Málaga. And even then, I'll have to find somewhere that sells steel.

Also, if anyone cares, I thought I struck gold when I found the spare wheel for a mini Harley in the back of one of the "Chinese shops" (places where you can get virtually anything, for a good price. I got an air pump capable of 230+psi for 4€!). It was 11" in diameter, had high speed bearings, although when the bearings were taken out it hard a 1" bore. 25€, I was going crazy, the thing had nice treads and was nice and wide. Sadly, as is the way with these things, the guy didn't have any more. He is going to look, but he says chances are he won't get one.

SO!

Basically, I'm still searching the options. Next stop, shipping prices. I may just stuff it and buy from the US, in the long run I may benefit from doing so, we shall see.

Thanks for the replies and I apologize for the long messy post.

 

[redsox985]

WOW! That sounds so inconvenient. This may be a year of searching and gathering parts before you even get started.

 

[Krustalien]

I do have a 13 hp Honda generator which was smashed by some bastards that realized they couldn't take the whole thing. The engine will run, it's just got oil in every hole. A good clean out and fresh oil, it should run.

So, I believe it is a 13 hp "Honda GX390", in a generator rated at 6500 watts, the electrical part still needs to be removed. Does anyone know if the shaft will be tapered and therefore useless?

Thanks.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

It likely will be tapered. Very good engine though. Maybe if you're lucky, you can find a way to make use of it.

 

[redsox985]

If it's a true Honda and is going to be opened up anyways, you may want to buy a new PTO and crank to put in and try selling your tapered one if it's in good shape.