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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ OT: Building a Go-Kart

Posted by: McMark Jun 10 2005, 06:09 PM

I'm thinking of building a go-kart. Unfortunately I don't know anything about it. Mainly, the centrifical clutch. Where do I buy one? How much do they cost? Any other tips and ideas? Our shop is on a dead end street and I want to do some weekend go-kart autocrossing.

Posted by: Verruckt Jun 10 2005, 06:14 PM

Surely in your neck of the woods there would be several places that sell gokarts and minibikes, and the associated parts. I woudl think a clutch wouldnt be more than about $30? If not, then definitely you could find one online.

Posted by: Mueller Jun 10 2005, 06:37 PM

eBay has a bunch.......pretty cheap like mentioned above...you gotta see how many 914 parts the go-kart can be made with

Posted by: i love porsche Jun 10 2005, 06:40 PM

id say build something in the vein of a FSAE car....super fast....if you build it big enough you could probably take the drivetrain out of a civic or something and throw it behind you for lots of power and grip...just get a pipe bender and a bunch of pipe, and you can build your own tubeframe...its tons o fun

Posted by: McMark Jun 10 2005, 06:45 PM

I just want something small and cheap. It's just for fun and practice. If this one goes well I'll retire it and build one with suspension. I don't want to buy one, I want the fabrication expereince. I'll have to check out eBay.

Posted by: Mueller Jun 10 2005, 06:56 PM

QUOTE
id say build something in the vein of a FSAE car

might "attract" too much attention and be unsafe

the cops are less likely to bother you if just putting around in a go-kart powered by a lawn mower engine....

I've got a 5.5 hp motor, only problem is that it is a vertical shaft motor.....not sure what is wrong with it....it seized up on me one day and I just went out and bought a new mower...

Posted by: bondo Jun 10 2005, 07:20 PM

QUOTE (Mueller @ Jun 10 2005, 05:37 PM)
eBay has a bunch.......pretty cheap like mentioned above...you gotta see how many 914 parts the go-kart can be made with

I'd say start with the type 4 and 901, and go from there. Every time I see a freshly dropped 914 drivetrain sitting on a moving dolly, I can't help but think "Wouldn't it be awesome to put some wheels and a seat on that?"

Posted by: McMark Jun 10 2005, 08:20 PM

My dad has an old dirtbike that I'm going to check out. I might be able to use the engine off that.

Posted by: Verruckt Jun 10 2005, 08:21 PM

Oh man, gokarts could be so much fun....

80cc dirtbike engine, shifting gears!
Look at the ass end of a 4wheeler sometime... nice beefy axles, disk brake...
Then go look at some kart race shop.. wheels, tires, steering...

Posted by: rick 918-S Jun 10 2005, 08:28 PM

Use the bike motor! Cool!

If you use a Briggs find a Nothern Tool and Supply. They sell Mini Bikes, Go Carts, and parts.

Posted by: trekkor Jun 10 2005, 08:29 PM

O.K., I'm *officially intrested*.

I'll round up some motors for you to fool with.

6.5 hp spec 914 gokart cup?

KT

Posted by: i love porsche Jun 10 2005, 10:46 PM

heres "my" go-cart, 10 hp, briggs and stratton motor, chromoly tubeframe, lots o fun!

next week is the SAE event!

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Posted by: sj914 Jun 10 2005, 11:23 PM

There's a place down in San Jose called Cal Carts. You could give them a visit and see what they got as far as parts.

Posted by: McMark Jun 10 2005, 11:26 PM

Just talked to my dad. The motor is torn apart (no biggie) but it's a 175cc. Should be interesting.

Step One: Put the motor back together.
Step Two: Buy all the pieces (brakes, wheels, etc).
Step Three: Build the frame.
Step Four: Put it all together.
Step Five: Zoooooooom!

Posted by: Rand Jun 10 2005, 11:28 PM

Play with http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=ig&q=go+kart+parts&btnG=Google+Search.

http://www.gokartsupply.com/
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/gocartparts_index.html
Etc., etc.

I'm with you man. Building a kart from scratch in the garage and playing with it in the neighborhood... what's better than that?

I have a 12-year-old son who loves cars, our 914, and other projects. There's no better way to get him into driving!

Grainger has everything too.

If you're handy with fabbing, you can scout around for parts from lawn mower places, pick-a-part junk yards, etc. We have a motorcycle place around Seattle called "Bent Bike" that's good for parts. It's fun to experiment with this kinda stuff.

Posted by: McMark Jun 10 2005, 11:39 PM

I looked at both of those places today. Lots of nice stuff.

I was looking at McMaster Carr for shocks and springs, but I think this first kart will be solid suspension for simplicity.

Maybe I can make a fiberglass 914-esque body for it.

Posted by: Mr.C Jun 11 2005, 12:57 AM

Try this http://www.edge.au.com/ They have some awesome plans. I would like to build their sidwinder.

Posted by: rhodyguy Jun 11 2005, 11:30 AM

for a cheap shifter cart, look for an old honda trail 90. the one with the step through frame. 4 speed auto. no clutch.

k

Posted by: Aaron Cox Jun 11 2005, 11:34 AM

go 2 stroke....only way to fly.

we had some 125cc shifter carts on our block. 60 mph 1 inch off the ground? too much fun

Posted by: David_S Jun 11 2005, 12:15 PM

I had an early 70's Honda 750 four cylinder with a trashed frame given to me last night ......and I have a 250 cc Odyssey with no engine !!!!!!! hmmmmmm things might get a little wild here ........

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Jun 11 2005, 12:28 PM

Before I left Oregon I had an old Rupp snowmobile that was pretty beat up but the engine ran great. I wanted to turn it into a go-kart. I think it would have been very fast.

Posted by: street legal go-kart Jun 11 2005, 12:30 PM

Mc,
See My icon.
My son, The Creature's ride.
This was built for $ 60.
42 mph.
Stock Briggs 5 hp.
However this is nothing, pm me and I will send you pictures of a 90+ mph $600 kart!
The Creature is now 15 yo and eying my Teener

JT

Posted by: street legal go-kart Jun 11 2005, 12:35 PM

Oh yeah Clutches?

Fresno Saw or PKS Karts both in Fresno.
Both have good prices and will ship..

JT

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Jun 11 2005, 01:24 PM

AAAAAAAAAHemmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. The Cap'ns Kart is still on the market........................ The Cap'n

Posted by: Rand Jun 11 2005, 02:51 PM

Shifter karts get crazy.

I had a Honda CR-500 (223 lb motorcycle with 60 hp 2-stroke water pumper). I sold it to a guy and later found out he only bought it for the motor, which he put in his kart. Bittersweet, but... he was clocked at 90mph in his kart at a race. Like Aaron said... 1" off the ground, no body around you... it takes the rush factor up a coupla notches.

Posted by: Rand Jun 11 2005, 02:52 PM

Ok Cap'n... stop teasing. Tell us more about your kart... or do we need to go dig it out of the classifieds?

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Jun 11 2005, 03:25 PM

QUOTE (Rand @ Jun 11 2005, 12:52 PM)
Ok Cap'n... stop teasing. Tell us more about your kart... or do we need to go dig it out of the classifieds?

Invader, Yamaha. Older Kart, built by a guy who spent years being competitive. Bought it from a friend who put his kids into it. Spent most of its life being used for practice. I need 800 bucks for it. Comes with a starter, needs tires. The Cap'n

Posted by: Joe Ricard Jun 20 2005, 10:41 AM

Ok, I'll confess I need a KART. Like I don't spend enough $$$$ on the teener. This needs to be a Junior Kart for Autocross. Not keen on the wheel to wheel stuff.
Saw 8 year old girl in a Junior Kart Saturday night AX. She ran within seconds of the big cars. Actually I think she beat the lower 1/3 of the cars. (not me).

My 5yr old said "Hey I want one of them". No reason not to. shop this year for a good deal and then 2 years to practice in the local parking lot. April 2007 he should be able to put a whippin on anything with 4 wheels.

Posted by: iamchappy Jun 20 2005, 11:00 AM

Here is a shot of me at 14 with my kart at Brainard International. I've been trying to make my 914 as fast and handle like it even though I know I cant. The kart got kinda light and scary over 140.

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Posted by: Joe Ricard Jun 20 2005, 11:14 AM

I have a hard time keeping my Carbbs synched up. Can't imagine two engines