Building a kart

[DGuzmanG]

Hey guys! I see you conviced @Hardyx to buy a Kart for himself instead of building it.

I don't want this thread to end specially with all the knowledge you all have. Also I'm in different circumstances than him, because I live in Colombia so here aren't many Karts for sale and is not an option to buy one from UK or US even, and the ones on sale here are much more expensive!

http://vehiculo.mercadolibre.com.co/MCO-412559375-kartings-otros-_JM - 3200€
http://bogota-capital.doplim.com.co/karts-profesional-id-119700.html - 3100€
http://www.alamaula.com.co/bogota/otros-vehiculos/vendo-karts-125-formula-birelly-italiano/5489984 - 1443€
http://www.alamaula.com.co/bogota/otros-vehiculos/kart-birrelly-90cc-italiano/5489114 - 1200€
http://www.alamaula.com.co/risaralda/otros-vehiculos/kart-profesional-birel/12202332 - 1400€

And a couple more for 1100 and 2000 but without pictures!!

I guess I'm not probably looking for something as "pro" as @Hardyx or @lbsf1 have been talking about, so I'm looking to build one, I have the blueprints of a Birel chassis but I'd like to have as much help as you can give me about materials, thickness of the steel measures, and also to know what is best (considering amounts of time/labour to make it work/performance/economy) in terms of engines if Rotax, motorcycle engine, etc.

Also if anyone one of you guys wanna check out those links and provide some advise (those are on spanish tough).

It could be sort of a collective project as I advance I post what I have and meybe even a "How To" manual on it...

 

[lbsf1]

If you were thinking of racing then look at the specs to see if they require homologation on chassis, otherwise just check that your track is ok with the idea of a homemade kart. If any of those are a problem then you can count building one out straight away. Also be aware that building one would take a lot of time and effort to get everything to fit, and you probably wouldn't have something as good as a bought chassis, if you are prepared to accept that though and go along with the project then I see no specific problem in building one, there are lots of specialist parts however you would have to buy that would make the cost not exactly cheap (axles, bearings, brake disk holders, stub axles, steering columns, ect ect).

In terms of the links you posted, 2 is much nicer (beautiful kart with quality engine) than 1, 5 looks decent aswell. 3 and 4 are very old and I would avoid completely.

 

[Bopop4]

It'd most likely be more expensive to build one rather than buy one.

Stuff like spindles, axles, bearings, by the time you finish you'll have spent more and have soemthing that doesn't handle at all. And nobody will he able to help you tune it because it's a one off.

Oh, tree'd by lbsf1.

 

[lbsf1]

It'd most likely be more expensive to build one rather than buy one.

Stuff like spindles, axles, bearings, by the time you finish you'll have spent more and have soemthing that doesn't handle at all. And nobody will he able to help you tune it because it's a one off.

Oh, tree'd by lbsf1.

I will just say, building your own decent kart is possible, one of my dads friends back in the day built a gearbox kart, raced it competitively and did well (he however was an expert metalworker).

 

[Slash]

Find yourself an XR-style Honda bike motor if you want cheap. 18-20hp, 5 speed manual. You can get pull start versions with an auto clutch running tip top for for about $200 with slightly less power.

I'd source an ATV rear axle (specifically a 400EX or Blaster) and sprocket set and with hubs and pick up a set of flat track indoor asphalt racing wheels and tires. They are pretty much exactly kart Wheels but with a much more commin bolt pattern to change sizes. I can hook you up with parts.

 

[DGuzmanG]

Oh thanks @Slash for those tips!
Before anything and answering both @lbsf1 and @Bopop4, Yes I won't be using it for racing and I have a private place to have fun and one of the kart tracks around is ok with bringing my kart if I go before the track opens to the public at 10 a.m.

I would probably buy #5 the thing is here 1500€ are a lot, and I think it will be frustratingly fun to build that as a project with my best mate and I can probably spend more $$$ in that time rather than one full payment.

Anyway, before I start talking about axles and engines, I would like to know what would be the first steps, I asume the chassis frame and as I said I have blueprints of a Birel chassis, but which tubing would be the ideal and I found there are two common wheelbase 950mm or 1040mm what to choose?

 

[Bopop4]

Well a 1 mm difference in tubing size can make a good kart handle like crap.

It also depends what kind of engine you're putting in it. Something with 10 hp may only need 28mm tubing, while a 40hp shifter will need something like a 34 mm frame.

Edit: I'd actually make an offroad kart, much less strict in terms of chassis geometry, plus you can make a track anywhere.

 

[Slash]

I have an offroad kart. Much easier to build.

 

[Legro]

Off road karts are also much less expensive to build, but if really you want regular kart, buying some used chassis will be easier, cheaper and it will most likely be much better.

 

[DGuzmanG]

Ok, @Legro thanks but as stated it is impossible to find used chassis here, it is either the full kart or nothin' so I'm looking forward to build one.

So far I would like to do a Kart not an offroad as the ones I've seen are hideous or seem way too complicated. If anyone has a good example of what could be achieved with an offroad homemade kart I'll offcourse look at them.

I would probably use an old bike engine I would assume between 15~ to 25 hp. So a rather safe bet would be 30mm tubing and in what thickness? The supports for steering and such are in what size are they tube as well or are round steel bars?

By the way thank you guys for all the help! I'll probably go to the U.S for the holydays so I might buy there all the small pieces from used cars or brand new... I don't know

 

[Slash]

Off road karts are also much less expensive to build, but if really you want regular kart, buying some used chassis will be easier, cheaper and it will most likely be much better.

I got this for exactly $3.

 

[Legro]

I got this for exactly $3.

That is less than a Big Mac over here.

 

[Slash]

That is less than a Big Mac over here.

It was brand new too Shame the motor is a gutless pig though.

 

[DGuzmanG]

I got this for exactly $3.

They don't sell anything like that here for less than maybe $800...

 

[Slash]

They don't sell anything like that here for less than maybe $800...

Raffle ticket

 

[DGuzmanG]

Jajaja, ok so back on track, I think I'll go for a regular Kart. Any books or something to read you guys know about? I hope to start with everything by november, so I've kept reading about Karts, the CIK-FIA regulations and stuff.

When I make some progress I'll upload the process here.

I've been looking for engines, although I can probably find motorcycle engines here, which one would you recommend, Yamaha 125 BWS engine, I've seen some IAME engines... That can be brought here and don't cost too much...