Since this thread is back alive I'll throw this out. I need to clear out two kids karts I have in my possession now. My boys liked it but didn't love it and these have been in storage for a while now. I have a mid 1990's with old 50cc Comer and a newer kart with an 80cc Comer (I think). I'll get pics and post them or send them. I'd love to sell them to someone who will use and enjoy them.
In reply to wawazat :
Well duh, send pics! You've got my email right?
In reply to wawazat :
If you were in Texas, I'd take them lol
I do Adrian. I'll try and get pics this weekend. I do have a cart stand and starter for the 80cc version. Newish tires on both. The recoil system on the 50cc is a PITA and the carb on the 80cc is torn apart but I can put it back together.
yupididit said:In reply to wawazat :
If you were in Texas, I'd take them lol
If Adrian isn't interested in them I maybe able to get them from MI to Boerne, TX around Christmas. That help?
I raced karts back in the day when things were a lot simpler. All were 100cc 2 cycle with some exceptions. It was on a paved road course just short of 1/2 mile. Tires lasted a whole season and maybe longer. I ran the same cart for 5 yrs, the engine was refreshed at the beginning of each season, new chain and clutch and two rear tires.
clothing was long pants with a heavy jacket and heavy shoes plus a helmet with a face mask. Gloves were optional.
I won't get into costs but it fit into my budget.
The track was closed due to noise complaints of the summer folks. It is now used twice a year in spring and fall for an autocross.
wawazat said:yupididit said:In reply to wawazat :
If you were in Texas, I'd take them lol
If Adrian isn't interested in them I maybe able to get them from MI to Boerne, TX around Christmas. That help?
That's pretty close. Let me know
Oh, there is a thriving kart track not far from me. Dirt oval small. They run a bunch of different classes right up to Slingshots.
Adrian, I'll be at the track on Sunday with a kart or two - come take one for a spin!
So, almost a year later and I'm back in this thread. Chaparral, I obviously missed your post last year!
Anyway, update. So plans for karting this year didn't work out. Grandson's mom moved a little further away and organizing different things for him, Inc. football. Anyway, myself and the other grandpa still want to make it happen, and so does our grandson.
So this last Saturday after his last football game we headed over to East Lansing Kart track for Saturdays test day before races on Sunday. The other grandpa had arranged for our grandson to try a kid's kart (5-7 years old). He, the other grandpa, already goes to ELKT as his teenage son (now in hisgh school and in a full sized kart) is already racing, and the kid kart we were planning on trying belongs to a guy he knows who's six year old son already races there. Well, the best laid plans and all that. Non of us realized how differently sized six year olds really can be. After getting all togged up and the other kid having already taken the kart out, we were going to have our grandson go and do a couple of sessions. Unfortunately once in the seat his legs were too long to lift off the pedals completely. Having feet on both gas and brake at the same time didn't seem like a good idea! Scrub that. There was another guy there who's daughter also races in kids karts who said our grandson could try their kart instead. Unfortunately while he could operate the pedals, his hips were too wide and when he was completely wedged in the seat due to the seat width, his backside still had an inch of space between it and the seat bottom. No can do. Now, both these things are relatively easy to sort out with pedal and seat placement. But not when trying to swap back and forth between two drivers in a limited test day. Poor kid took it in his stride though.
Anyway, we've talked it over and we are moving forward. We are skipping the idea of kids karts (5-7) as he'd only have one year so we'd either need to rent karts or buy and sell a kart after one year. There seems to be a lack of used kids karts out there, and a couple of locals have resorted to buying new karts. Going straight to juniors (8-12) opens up a ton more options in karts, and using the sealed B&S 4 stroke makes for a cheaper easier less maintenance set up. We talked to the track owner (Keith or Kevin, I forget) and he's in agreement that our grandson can start out doing a few test sessions in the Junior kart next season (he turns 7 this December) and once he's shown some proficiency and is up to speed they will look into let him enter the Junior races towards the end of the year. That also works out as our daughter should be at Michigan State Vet school right there in Lancing starting next September, so even location works out perfectly.
We have now put down a deposit on a 2017 Energy (I think) Chassi with new for 2021 Briggs lo206 with a green slide, whatever that is! There's a new spare axle and the other usual bits and pieces. So one way or other this is happening, even if it's only test days next year.
And this is my reminder to you all that I have two kids carts to sell; a 50cc two stroke (FJ-C in SCCA autocross parlance) and an 80cc two stroke (FJ-B). These are not shifter carts but CVT transmission. Boys just didn't dig it as much as I'd hoped and these really REALLY need to leave my life. Both need some work as the recoil starter system on the 50cc is wonky and I pulled the carb apart on the 80cc to clean it though haven't yet rebuilt it.
GRM, you're my only hope!
In reply to wawazat :
GLWS. Yeah, we talked about these last year, but they didn't work for what we want. I hope you find someone who they will work for.
No worries Adrian. Just want them outta my life.
Adrian_Thompson (Forum Supporter) said:We have now put down a deposit on a 2017 Energy (I think) Chassi with new for 2021 Briggs lo206 with a green slide, whatever that is! There's a new spare axle and the other usual bits and pieces. So one way or other this is happening, even if it's only test days next year.
I'll repeat the advice I've mentioned on this forum before, make sure there's a local dealer for parts and that others run the Energy chassis at the track. There's nothing worse than seeing a new driver coming to practice and having to end way early because something broke on a kart that nobody else runs and you have to pack it up and wait for parts to arrive.
-Rob
In reply to rob_lewis :
Checking on that. Thanks.
Adrian_Thompson (Forum Supporter) said:Checking on that. Thanks.
Happy to help. Energy is not a big name in karting, so I wanted to give you some warning. Many of the parts are the same across karts: wheels, hubs, axles, seats, etc. Brakes, spindles, steering columns, however, are usually unique to a specific chassis. It would stink to have to replace brake pads and not be able to find them locally. And, while major components breaking or getting bent isn't common, it does happen. Especially in the junior ranks because most of those kids have been doing it long enough to have no fear and usually have a dad screaming at them to do better.
The big manufacturers in karting are Tony Kart and Birel, with CRG, Top Kart, Sodi and the like in the distance. Both Tony Kart (also know as OTK) and Birel offer different brands that are really just repainted chassis's with a different sticker pack. For example, OTK has
All of them are the exact same chassis, just different colors and different price points. FA being the most expensive and RedSpeed being the cheapest.
-Rob
In reply to Adrian_Thompson (Forum Supporter) :
There's no local Energy dealer, but Energy is a Parolin brand so their parts are common to them. Teddy Truchot is the Parolin importer in Florida, Stacey Cook is the Energy importer in Colorado. I drove an Energy after the race on Sunday and it was a very direct and responsive chassis.
I won't be at the last race this weekend but will be out on a few sunny Sundays for practice. Look for the #95 AK shifter kart.
Well it's happening. The other grandad is picking the kart up tomorrow. Not sure when we'll get out, but we do plan on a test day before the end of the year with him.
Chaparral, what's your tow rig trailer? I'll look for you when we make it out there. BTW, whats your name?
Other grandad has a silver 08-16 gen silver Chrysler minivan, I have a white 15 Volvo V60 wagon. Either of us will have a kart on a HarborFright 8x4 trailer as one kart will be in the van and the other on the trailer.
Adrian_Thompson (Forum Supporter) said:Other grandad has a silver 08-16 gen silver Chrysler minivan, I have a white 15 Volvo V60 wagon. Either of us will have a kart on a HarborFright 8x4 trailer as one kart will be in the van and the other on the trailer.
Bit of advice, when strapping the kart to the trailer, strap the tires, NOT the the chassis. Years ago when my son started I was towing his cart on a 4x4 HF trailer behind my MINI. I ran the straps across the frame and tweaked the heck out of it. Got it bent back, but learned my lesson.
Also, if it's not in the package deal you're buying, a stand will make life 10x easier.
And welcome to the karting community nut house. The hours of time you'll spend with the grandkid will be worth every penny.
-Rob
In reply to rob_lewis :
funny story, not me but one of the times I was out to watch I saw somebody pull up who's kart had been incorrectly strapped down, so had slid sideways at some point. One rear wheel was touching one of the fenderless trailer wheels and had spun the axle and everything up. The opposite tire has basically been doing a burn out on the bed of the trailer destroying the tire and putting a black rubbery divot in the trailer bed. Surprisingly the clutch and engine were ok .
In reply to Adrian_Thompson (Forum Supporter) :
My name's Charles. I have a black Volkswagen GTI with a red open trailer. I will only be out on Sundays as Saturdays are for Ultimate.
Haven't been to GRM in a while, and somebody alerted me that their was activity in the thread. Good advice being dispensed as usual.
Couple tidbits that I'd add.
For a kid, the first kart need not be the most advance or newest thing out there. Seat time will be the most important thing. They'll beat on the new to them kart. Expect to have 2 years in it before you are ready for something more fancy. Before that the kid just won't be experienced enough to put it to work effectively. Engines can work on mulitple chassis as the kid progresses.
Do plan on spare spindles and tire rods, as those can take a beating early on depending on your kids driving style along with his/her competitors.
Do yourself a favor and get an electric car lift stand, you'll be glad you did.
Update:
Adrian, I think I'm going to East Lansing this Sunday.
In reply to chaparral :
Outside chance we will make it. The other grandad picked up the kart on Friday. Pic from this morning when we showed it to our grandson. The smile says it all.
We need to move the seat forward and pedals rearward. In fact I'm making some larger diameter pedal pegs to help the situation. We need to re-set the wheels (less track in the rear, more in the front) as the guy we bought it off had deliberately changed the settings in case it was sold to someone at the same track! Also need to figure out what gearing we need and fit that. Right now the carb has a green slide, which will be fine for a first time out, but we need to check what slides he really needs. Other than that we need to add oil, gas and do a nut and bolt check on it. IT should be ready to go.
BTW, whoever mentioned getting a stand, the one in the background came with the kart along with a spare axle, two wheels, a set of brand new rain tires and a spare seat.
Adrian_Thompson (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to chaparral :
That looks like a very happy boy!!
We need to move the seat forward and pedals rearward. In fact I'm making some larger diameter pedal pegs to help the situation. We need to re-set the wheels (less track in the rear, more in the front) as the guy we bought it off had deliberately changed the settings in case it was sold to someone at the same track!
You can also get pedal extenders to give him the ability to reach them and foot risers if he finds the tie rods rubbing his calves. Also, there are steering wheel hubs that tilt the wheel down a few degrees to give it less of a bus feel if his arms are short. My son used one his entire time karting. Regarding the rear width, karts are the opposite of cars (not sure if you were aware), you narrow for more grip, and widen for less. On a low power Briggs, you want the back as loose as he's can handle. Just a quick visual, I'd leave it right where it is until he's comfortable and has put a few laps in. Much better to make changes when he can actually tell a difference and, when you do, just one change at a time. My early day's, I'd make all kinds of changes and end up chasing myself back to a neutral setup to start all over again.
-Rob
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