New to karting(another one)

[Chuck Adams]

well to make it quick. I am very new to this, I just acquired a chassis that needs much much work. This is really just garage project for my son and I. So many questions but ill start with this.
My karts front left spindle has no hub and the front right has a hub. why is that? Can I replace the both with matching spindle or does that affect to whole kart. The rim with the hub is roughly an 1.5in longer. I take it it was set up for a track?

I know there is some serious karters on this site. I will have to piece this kart together piece by piece. I am all over this forum and it can get my head turning so fast. If you have some basics links would be good. Any help would be appreciated.

[Michael Taksa]

Post some pictures. If the kart has no front brakes, hubs are not necessary, there are wheels that fit on the spindle and have bearings in them, the are called direct spindle mount or DSW. measure your spindle diameter, if it is 17mm it's the common size and any 17mm DSM wheel will work. The hubs are nesessary if there are front brakes, do you know the make/model of the kart and the year? thet will help also, if you do not, take pictures and post here, people will hep you, just need to know what you have.

[Paul Makarucha]

Honestly I'd love to help but first things first, this is a track toy. Just about every serious injury or death I've hear of from gokarting has been from people in a parking lot or street. They just aren't made for that. If you want to do that buy a yard kart or something with low grip big soft sidewall tires.

Also, don't skimp on safety gear. Seriously.

That said, there is no reason someone would use a setup for a track with two different spindles for the left and right. I don't even think oval guys would do that.

Take you and your son out to the local kart track, grab your camera, start talking and taking pictures of everything. In 2 minutes there you'll learn 10x more than you did by reading this post
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[John Matthews]

Fill out your profile so people know where you are, for all we know you might be right next door to the most experienced karting family in the country.

Don't expect much help for driving karts on the street here, it's not the right thing no matter where you live.

From your description you probably have something someone set up for dirt oval, are there different size wheels on either side?

Karting is a great family activity, I got started with my dad as have many others. Definitely find your nearest track and visit on a race day, this really is a hands-on activity....

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

[Chuck Adams]

thanks for replies... i understand the reply on safety of driving in a parking lot and not a track. I am not trying to build a "race kart" to drive on the street. But I don't want to go invest in a nice kart and not know what to do. I dont see myself learning nothing by buying a kart ready to race and go race and something breaks or goes wrong. Then I'm stuck like Chuck. Maybe one day my son or l will get on the track. We have a 150cc yard kart that he has lots of fun with. But i definetly plan on visiting a track for some events to join in on the fun. I scared to go watch because I then know I will be hooked. Once I learn the basics of a kart with this one I think I am gonna sell the four wheeler and get a track worthy kart. In the links are some pics of the kart. I dont know what I have to say the truth. After looking at some karts on this site i understand mine is a pos in most minds but its mine. Maybe one day after I can learn how to build and maintain a kart I will invest in buying a nice one and hit the track. If you think I am on the wrong site just let me know if there is a site more geared towards beginners.

The kart had four different size rims and tires on it. The inside lefts were smaller than right. There was no front brakes on it when i got it. I dont plan on have front brakes due to fact I wont be racing. I would like to one day though. I was hoping I could just replace front spindles to run same size rims. But didnt know if it would throw the karts balance off or not.

The front left spindle is 4in long and the right is 4.5in long(from hub to end of threads it is 3in long) I measured 16mm for diameter of spindle. I measured with micro. I have extra set of rims for front. The opening I measured in the bearing is as shown in pic 16mm. Not used to using micro but I think I am reading it right. On the rims I have from inside bearing to outside bearing it measures around 2.5in. Is there spacers I can put on spindle so the rim is not sliding on spindle or do I need smaller spindles? I am sure these are no brainer questions to you guys but I am just learning about these karts.


http://s1002.beta.photobucket.com/user/cwa1224920/media/kart/frontrim_zps3db56022.jpg.html

[Dan Haynes]

That looks to be an LTO (left turn only) kart. I have no experience with LTO's. It is common to have stagger built into it, such as smaller tires and rims on the left side. Can't say about the spindles though. And that is a Briggs flathead motor.
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[Chuck Adams]

Well if it is a LTO kart, does that mean it is designed for oval use only or is there steps I could take to change that. I would think there would be a way to change spindles and square it up to change it?? Or should I should I just try and get another kart to start with? I am in no rush to learn about karts. Just want to start off in the right direction. Again I sure do appreciate your guys input. I understand there is a bunch of knowledge and experience on this site.

[Russell Stevens]

If you plan to ever race it on a non oval course... Get a different chassis. Even squaring up the spindles and wheel offsets you will be at a disadvantage vs a sprint chassis due to the way the LTO chassis distributes weight and blances wheel lift.
You are missing a fair bit of hardware from what the pictures show. You might be better off looking for an $800 beater sprint that is more complete, or even a $1200 ready to run and stripping it down / rehabing it.
We bought a used Rotax Tag that was "Ready to Run". Learned a lot as it proceeded to break down, and we wound up going through the entire kart and engine bolt by bolt.

[Walt Gifford]

You have to get a kart for the track you're going to run. That kart is made with an offset frame for an oval track. I've restored several karts and my suggestion is to get rid of that thing before you get started on it.

Buy something with all the parts on it then take it all apart and replace anything that's worn or broken then put it back together.

If you get a kart with a straight frame you can still run it on an oval with a simple tire change. I suggest looking for something like a Coyote Wide Track.


Gif
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[John Matthews]

Hi Chuck,

You definitely have a dirt oval kart, I'm not sure where your closest track is but you can check here

http://kartfinder.com/track%20pages/georgia.html

for tracks in your state or other states close by. Since you're in the south there are a lot more places to run dirt oval than sprint which is what this site focuses on. Check out bob's 4 cycle for better info on dirt oval racing.

http://4cycle.com

Lots of guys have started with less than what you have and built up competitive dirt karts. I would definitely suggest finding your closest track and talking to the folks out there. You'll need brakes, pedals,bumpers, some bodywork, a seat, and of course an engine but I can definitely see you and your son building what you have into a kart you'll be proud of.

The biggest reason to get out to the track is you'll meet guys that have all the stuff you need to fix up your kart. Most folks that have been at it for a while will have at least some of the stuff you need and will be eager to sell it or even give it away. We're always trying to get more people into the sport so don't start buying stuff online until you check with the local racers to see what they have.

What you'll probably find at your local track is people running either the flathead (what you have there), or a clone. If you have the choice I'd get a clone motor since you can start out with a new one for just a few hundred dollars. Depending on what shape your flathead is in you might be able to fix it up yourself but if you need to get it rebuilt it'll cost more than buying a new clone.

The good thing about all this is dirt oval racing can be pretty affordable as long as you don't fall into thinking you need 25 tires or special built engines. Most kart tracks are full of people just like you out having fun with their kids, don't think you won't fit in or you can't do it because it costs too much. Sure it isn't as cheap as watching TV at home but if your family can afford little league you can probably afford kart racing at your local dirt track.

Let me know if there's anything else you need but I'm sure if you find your local track and talk to the folks there you'll be on your way to not only fixing up your kart but being involved in a great sport for your whole family. So get out there on that good Georgia clay and have some fun
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

[Chuck Adams]

Well thanks for the info... i have searching to do

[kyle luttrell]

Hey chuck,

I live in ga aswell if be willing to assist in anyway that I can but it might be smarter to invest in a new or newer chassis it appears that the kart you have needs just about everything lol 😇 lol

Since the kart is so old and out dated I don't see it being a good investment.

If you would need my assistance in repairing that chassis or buying a new chassis shoot me an email
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