[Kevin Reguera]

Copy that Gary…thanks!

[Kevin Reguera]

No, I haven’t checked the float level but I was just reading on the Briggs Animal web site and I saw that.

As far as a fuel filter…opps!  No, we ran it like we bought it and this is our first kart.  I feel like an idiot though because I’m not new to motor sports and we totally over looked a fuel filter.

We’ll clean the carb, add the FILTER, and check the float level.

Thanks for the ideas!

[Kevin Reguera]

Awesome, thanks TJ!

Unfortunately, there are no shops around for me to try out seats but at least now I have an idea what I should be considering.

Thanks again

[Kevin Reguera]

Thank you Sean for posting that vid of you in a race kart on dirt.  It looks like a blast!  I actually don’t plan to build the frame itself….rather just putting all the parts needed on a professionally build frame.

What size wheels do you run?  They look slicks, are they slicks?

My soil is clay and we’re working on adding irrigation to the track to help with dust during the summer.

Thanks again for sharing your experience and the vid for everyone to see what I plan on building.

 

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks Freddy and Ed!  It’s great to hear what others think because you guys have been there….done that.  I have not.

To answer your question Freddy, and I haven’t questioned the guy with the clone kart but occasionally, one’s like that go up on craigslist around here.  And I’m just guessing here because he doesn’t say much about the specs. But it may need things replaced where as if I just built one…it’d be only buying one.  I just don’t want to buy a kart for 1250, pay to have it shipped, then have to throw another lump of money at it for upgrades….and when it’s done, I’ve got a used kart.

However, if the right kart came my way…I’d definitely be interested.

Some thoughts I have that are making a used kart purchase hard are:  I’d like a nice 32mm frame, 50mm axle, large rims, large dirt tires, large seat, a nice KT100 motor.  I know the rim/tire thing is not realistic on a used kart but just pointing out that I’d have to buy them.

I’d like it to be a kart that when you walk up to it…you say out loud, I WANT TO DRIVE THAT THING!

Thanks again for your thoughts!

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks Ted….I’m really liking the idea of building a kart.  But, I’ll have to keep checking things out before I decide to do it or not.  Right now, I’m leaning towards building the darn thing!

Thanks for heads up!

[Kevin Reguera]

I don’t think the 1/4 midgets are going to work for me.  Too small, I want something the big boys can play with.  We all ride 450’s and 250 race bikes in my back yard so that’d be a let down.

I’ve been looking at some outlaw types that run 250’s that I think would be fun.  But, they are all offset and I plan to make my track with both right, and left turns.  Maybe the offset won’t be too bad for the right hand turns…it’s not like were out to win the Nationals in my back yard.

 

 

[Kevin Reguera]

I do not have the frame yet.  It’s a frame I saw on Ebay and I thought it’d be a fun project.

I’ll check out the 1/4 midgets again.

Thanks!

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks Jim…appreciate the input.

I may have loosely used the term “bash around in my backyard”.  I don’t actually plan on jumping this thing or bashing into trees…and I realize they have no suspension.

I’ve got a nice smooth (for the most part) track that that I can grade out if the ruts get too nasty.

I absolutely plan on putting something larger than a 6hp on it!

Maybe I’m seeing this all wrong but whats the difference between building a kart from this style of frame as opposed to an Outlaw dirt oval kart that runs on a CR500?  I don’t plan on putting on a CR500, I’m just saying they run those karts on dirt and they are rigid as well.  With taller seats and a roll cage.  They also run dirt karts just like these sprint karts in Australia with larger motors.

I think if parts are going to be a major hassle  though…it’s not going to be any fun and I’ll scrap the idea.

Thanks again!

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks again guys…much appreciated!

[Kevin Reguera]

I’m a rookie….who is Gary Lawson?

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks for the ideas Mike and Walt!  I’ll look at both of them very closely.

Darrin, I’m not sure what series they run.  It’s the track in Redding, CA.  I will probably venture over to Prarie City and Davis to run there as well after my brother picks up a kart.

Thanks again for the recommendations.

 

[Kevin Reguera]

Still available?

[Kevin Reguera]

PM sent

[Kevin Reguera]

Please send pics to kevin_reguera@yahoo.com

 

Thanks

[Kevin Reguera]

Please send pics to kevin_reguera@yahoo.com

 

Thanks

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks Daniel…I’ll check that out!

 

[Kevin Reguera]

PM and email sent.

 

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks for the input guys!

To answer your question Steve, no, I have not driven an animal yet.  I was offered to do so but I feel funny about borrowing other people’s hard earned stuff.  I just can’t get myself to borrow things especially something like a kart.  I know there are lots of very generous people willing to and I’d do the same but it’s just a thing for me.

I understand what you are saying about wanting to be in a pack of karts because I’d bet that would be awesome!  I know I love that feeling in my vette on the road course!  However, for me it’s a bit of both…the need for speed, and the comradery of bumping and grinding with other racers.

I’m still soaking up all this stuff about karts and trying to learn as much as I can while being patient before I pull the trigger.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Kevin Reguera]

Well, that’s sort of a problem for me since we don’t have a shop here in Redding that I’m aware of.  The closest place to me would be in Sacramento or Davis or the SF Bay area.  Maybe even going into Oregon would be an option since they don’t have state tax so that’s a plus!  I’d be traveling 3+ hours to the nearest shop, which is fine with me.  So far…I’m leaning on going with an Intrepid Raptor from a shop down south but I’d just like to hear if anyone has any other ideas.

Thanks again.

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks again to everyone giving their opinion on the subject!

It really has helped steer me in the right direction…which is to go with a new chassis and the animal to race with the guys at the local track.  I’d like to give them all a run for their money so I know I’ve got a lot to learn.

It of course will mean that I’ll be spending more on my kart than I originally thought however, I’m a sucker for nice gear and new toys so I knew going in that my budget was a low ball park figure.

Once again…thanks to everyone giving me their $0.02!

[Kevin Reguera]

Ok, cool Brian…good to know and thanks for letting me know about what it’d take to do the switch over.  It kind of sounds like a pain in the butt.  Timewise…how fast could you do a switch over?

So then let me ask you this….what if I did go with a Rotax?  Because that’s where I have been leaning lately.  Since I really don’t know jack about these things yet (but I’m learning thanks to people like you!), does the Rotax not use radiator?  How about others like the KT100 or a Tag?

Thanks

Kevin

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks for the input guys!  I really appreciate everything everyone has to say about this, and other subjects. Very cool!

Allen, Yes, they are actually very close to me and I’ve never heard of them because I’m just a new guy to the kart scene.  However, It’s seems to me he may just be operating from his house because the address is in a residential location kind of out in the country.  I’ll be giving them a fly-by.  That’s awesome to know about extremegokarts.com though!

Brian, I was afraid someone might say it might not be practical to go from 2 to 4 stroke engines.  Can you please explain why that is?  Sorry, I’m clueless and trying to learn this stuff.  New to karting but not to racing and going fast on four wheels and asphalt.  I do like the sticker price on that TS but I’m also afraid I’m going to get bored of only having an animal to scoot around.

If that is the case and it’s not going to be practical to just…switch from a thumper to a screamer on the same day for some adrenaline…then it’s back to the drawing board for me because I know I’ll need more than the animal to keep the interest going for longer than a season.

Once again, thanks to everyone taking their time to chime in and help out a rookie!

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks guys for the heads up!  I’ve discovered that sure enough…they are out of business and parts may be hard to find and are not even available to buy new Trackmagic parts.

I think the “Good” is: You can find them for dirt cheap.

The “Bad” is: They’re out of business.

And the Ugly is: No new parts available so they’re value is vary low.

Basically, after hearing that I’d only pay a few bucks more than what the motor and accessories on it are worth on a Trackmagic.

Thanks again to Greg Bell at Leading Edge Motorsports for giving me a heads up and to David Cole for advising me to get in touch with Greg.

[Kevin Reguera]

Thanks a lot for the input guys!  I really appreciate what you had to say and I think you both bring up some interesting points.  It seems my budget may be a little bit too low to be able to get into a decent shifter that would last for a while and also, keep me interested in the sport.  So, you’ve got me re-thinking everything once again!

I do like the idea of getting the newest chassis my budget will allow.  I think it might not be a bad idea to throw a Briggs Animal on it just to get some seat time.  I would also love to enter races and grind it out with the locals here in Redding.  Perhaps later, throw a Tag or something on it to get some fast time.

Once again, thanks for your input and help directing me to the best kart for me.

[Author]

Posts