Anyone ever build a custom go cart?

[Flicktitty]

Looking to start building a go-cart over the winter for my nephew. He is getting close to out growing the power wheels and i want to get him into something else.

I've looked at a few of the off the shelf "manco" go cart's and they don't seem to be bad. Just wondering if anyone has done something a little different. Looking for an all-terrain one would be best.

Thing is it NEEDS to be safe. roll bar/ seat/harness/padding. adjustable pedals would be awesome as well as an adjustable seat.

Thoughts?

[BR3W CITY]

How big of a cart? The offroad ones tend to be a little different than the "Race" cart type.
If you keep an eye to craigslist, I've seen frames for all types of go karts, as well as a handful of engines. Apparently go-karts are a popular project to start then sell.

Imo the fun thing to do would be to find a rolling chassis or frame and parts, and source a newer or different engine. Obviously briggs engines are popular for karts, but for a larger offroad kart you might consider the larger 2 strokes or even think about a small cycle/atv/snowmobile? engines.

[Wagonbacker9]

Reminds me of the old "Gixxer-kart" youtube vid from back in the day.

[Flicktitty]

I'm looking for a decently low speed setup for a 8 year old he drives really well but no need for a Busa swap lol

[BR3W CITY]

sure but there were thousands of 2 and 4cylinder motors in 500cc and less made in the 60,70' and80's, both 2 and 4 stroke. With a throttle stop or governor, you could build a cheap off road kart with lets say 40hp, and have it be totally usable for him (think of how a golf cart is)...then as he ages you can build it more, buy better parts, uncork the engine and have him grow into it....maybe he wants to get more into off road, or maybe he doesn't like the dirt stuff, or isnt' into it at all. No reason it couldn't be a SAFE and under $1k project, depending how far you take it.

[BoosTT]

I really think you would be better off buying something already done off craigslist. I've see some nice ones in the sub $1k range. What would be even cooler would be a youth side by side. I think polaris makes a razr 170.
The issue with building one, is finding a good frame. It's near impossible to find a frame with a nice roll cage that's not a complete cart.

[nismodave]

Buy a real kart and equipment and go to Dousman.

http://www.badgerkartclub.com/

[Adamsy87]

I have a Manco EZ Rattler that I bought with the intention of building something out of it. It's a one seater with a 6HP Tecumseh Motor and it does have a governor, roll cage, headlights, seat belt etc.

I never did get anywhere with it but disassembled it. I am looking to sell it. It ran great before I took it apart. There are a couple little things that would need to be done before driving it but maybe a fun little project for the winter. Let me know if you're interested. It's out at my shop in Genesse which I have with BossLX

Needs: Brake Cable
Some sort of linkage for the throttle cable

[wrath]

Roll cage? Seatbelt? I can remember many times tumbling across the yard with a measly 4hp Tecumseh powering my kart. I think I only got hurt once, and that's when my lawnmower steering pooed the bed directing me into a telephone pole along the driveway. Took a while to scrape the gravel out of my hyde. Maybe this is where the term helicopter parents began?

Mine was made from the steering of a lawn mower, schedule 40 shitter pipe, and some tires I stole off a junk minibike. I bought it as a bare frame for ~$20 in the 80s. I think I was done with it and riding a 3-wheeler at age 7.

It's way cheaper to buy one already built, especially at the end of the season.

[Nix]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/21/udyqa6a7.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/21/qy6u3egy.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/21/runuqyza.jpgA house down the road from my place has a go-kart for sale. I've passed it several times and glanced at it. It looks pretty basic but it looks to be all there and from just driving by it looks pretty nice.

If you are I interested I could cruise over there tomorrow and snap a few pictures and get phone number for you if you're interested and if you would like to know more where about that it is I can get the address for you. I drove by it today and it was still there at the end of their driveway.

It's your call, I'm just trying to help you out. Let me know if you'd like pictures and a phone number or any other info.

For what it's worth I life right outside of Oconomowoc and I get off of 94 Weston to Hwy F in Jefferson County and go South on Hwy F.

**Update** I just took a cruise over there because it was only 5 miles up the road. So here sure the pictures. There was no posted price.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/21/sadyza9e.jpg
Nick Schultz

[BoosTT]

http://janesville.craigslist.org/rvs/3281124124.html

[Ricky Bobby]

shit if that thing runs for 450 thats a deal for time and money spent

[Josepy]

This

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/rvs/3284011444.html

[GTSLOW]

The last two look like sams club edition go karts.