Karts to Go |

I can't wield and I have like no money. I'm only 14. I want to build a metal go cart with a frame that goes over the head. Any ideas?
I can't wield and I have like no money. I'm only 14. I want to build a metal go cart with a frame that goes over the head. Any ideas? Also, do I buy the engine or make it?

14 AND NO MONEY… hardly an ideal start. Do you have parents, Uncles; a buddy in an auto body shop or junk yard?

No real offense meant; but the task sounds pretty daunting. It also reminds me of my first and only downhill racer. Long before GO KARTS were considered.

It was a 1x 12 pine plank salvaged, with salvaged baby carriage wheels, 2 x 4's rope a broom handle shaft, a seat; and could beat any other in town.

i don’t know were to start…. or what to do ?? or what websites will help i hope to save money???any suggestions please.
can someone tell me if you can where i should start or detailed instructions of doing it please


If you are making a copy, then you must have an idea of what you are copying. Where’s the original that you are copying.

is there a website that i can go to to get picture of a racing (shifter kart) go kart frame where theres no engine on seat nothing on it except the frame and where can i find a a shifter racing go kart type frame for under $300 so that i can modify


look at craigs list or ksl.com for a used one or build your own

Is it doable? Any ideas how to do it? Idk maybe like a engine from the 60s what could I do for a transmission? Oh dose anyone know were I can get a go cart frame?
Could this idea also be kinda like a doon buggy?

That is a lot of HP for such a small wheel base>

heres the link,please read the desription.im thinking about buying it.http://cgi.ebay.com/1-SEAT-GOCART-GOKART-CART-KART-FRAME-PIPE-KIT-CR-2_W0QQitemZ260257427432QQihZ016QQcategoryZ64657QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Personally I don't like it. It doesn't even include the 2 long side pipes. There is a lot of fabrication that will need to be done to make it remotely look like a go cart. Floor pan, seat, gas & brake pedal, axles, MOTOR, motor mount, steering wheel and steering components, not to mention a fair amount of welding.
If you are competant enough to take this on, you can probably make a better one by yourself.
This kit is $49 plus about $20 to ship….thats almost $70 bucks for what?
Search the internet for free go kart plans, see what else you can find.
I built a go kart several years ago ant it was a tremendous amount of fun to build and ride. I have above average skill so it wasn't too bad. You need access to a welder, possibly a torch, drill press, grinder, metal cutting saw, nuts, bolts, screws, etc. Email me if you want to discuss further.
Cruise you neighborhood on junk day for old lawn tractors, garden tractors, snow blowers. You should be able to come up with wheels, steering wheel, steering components, seat, and an engine, all for free. Also sign up for freecycle (yahoo groups, I think) maybe you can find stuff there for free.

Save that money and find a prebuilt frame or semi complete go kart that requires less effort.

Good luck.

What type of welding should I use when welding together a go-kart frame?

Thanks for your help.

prolly mig (wire feed) will be the most economically sound way to weld it and if done properly the weld will be decently strong if you use a flux-core wire instread of a solid core wire you will get stronger welds with a correctly set-up machine. when i say economically sound i mean in comparison to any other welding process. If you have a oxy-acetalyne torch you could also weld it with that but there is a harder learning curve and you had better be ready to bend some stuff back straight even after clamping

I want to make a body for a go kart, not a metal frame but a body. should I use wood or fiberglass or what? how do I go about doing this

Sheet metal and pop rivets if you can't weld. That would be the easiest and best. It will require some simple engineering. Make templates out of card board first then transfer it to the sheet metal. A spot welder would be cool to use too. Wood would be too heavy. Fiber glass would be too hard.

i also would like to know how big of an engine id need for a racing go-kart like 10 hp or 15 hp

Depends on whether you have a transmission behind that engine. If you don't, then it depends on the sprocket sizes the chain (or belt) are running on. It also depends on the tire size of the go-kart.

It looks like I got a brand, and its been like that for 8 hrs.

Keep it clean and dry. If it gets infected go to the doc and get antibiotics.