I started making my son a locost go kart last year. i have built the frame, suspension and steering and i bolted on a lawnmower engine that i thought would be o.k.????
It has no power to pull the kart and the axle i made isnt good enough either as it warps when revved up (when the wheels are off the floor)
I could do with a cheap go kart engine and axle with a disc brake ideally, something with a centrifugal clutch would be nice so we can start it without having to bump it off every time. Its only for use round the block and in the paddock at track days and hillclimbs so even a good electric motor would be o.k.
Let me know if you have anything suitable

Hi mate,

Get a minimoto engine off eBay. Plenty of choice air or water cooled and very easily used with a kart back axle and sprocket.

Youll get a 39cc air cooled engine for about 40 quid tops. All of them have centrifugal clutches
I normally have them in but not had time to break any bikes recently
Rgds

Rich

[Edited on 4/12/05 by RichieC]

If you can get a 50cc (ish) engine from a moped type bike, they work realy well, gears, clutch, the whole nine yards. try scrap yards that do bikes, usualy not a lot of money. Enjoy Bigtime.

buy a kart back axle, plenty on ebay, some fully loaded - slimmest will be 25mm (Cadet level, or very old) - cheap will be 30mm - then 35mm then 40mm and more. For what you want 25 would do, 30mm max (some 30's are hollow), 2 bearings will be enough, 3 is nice for brake stability.

By the way if you look around on Ebay you can get electric start mini/midi moto engines for not alot more than a pull start and probably alot better for the kids. About £65 / £70 ish.

I made one a few years ago and used a suffolk punch engine. Did the job a treat. Didnt pull off very quick but went well. They have centrifugal clutches on too.

honda c90 engine would be perfect, 3 gears, semi-automatic clutch plenty of power to pull a go cart around 25-30mph, cheap to run and repair too

[Edited on 5/12/05 by daz]

Im trying to sell a whole 200cc kart at the moment. Looking for £200 for it complete as it cost far more than double this to build. I may consider breaking it if there is enough interest for engine and parts as I realy need the space in my garage for a new project. U2U me if your interested.

Carnut

cheers lads, i'll take a look on fleabay for a motor after xmas