The go-cart has been around since the 1950′s. Ever since it has become a world wide phenomenon on race tracks, parking lots, abandon fields, backyards and off road terrain. Many decide to build their own go-carts but you have to know not only where to buy them but what go cart parts you will need. The carts you find driven on the street are often built mostly for go cart racing and thus expensive. You need to understand the basic components of a motorized go kart before you make such a heavy investment.
You can learn how to build a go cart for both fun and racing if you know the basic technology behind it. The basic technology behind a go carts parts is a frame, four wheels, engine, brakes and transmission. The choice of powering such a kart depends upon the usage of the go carts accessories involved. Here are the basic parts that make up a go-kart:
Chassis
The chassis or frame is the most important part of any go cart build. It is the backbone of your buggy and should be strong enough to handle heavy weight ratios. The welds must be very strong to hold the driver and all the components involved. For both ready made and hand-built go carts, I will recommend a stainless steel frame welded to the core to make it extra strong considering the terrain it will run on.
Steering
The steering column (metal tubing) on a go kart is very complex but extremely important as it includes a tie rod for steering adjustment, stub axles and king pins, a pitman arm for wheel transfer up through the steering shaft and the actual steering wheel for the driver to control the kart.
CAUTION: This is one of the most crucial components of any cart and should be checked thoroughly before any drive.
Go Cart Wheels
Go Kart wheels are typically made of steel and surrounded by thick rubber tread or slicks if you are on a go cart track. The tires for go karts house an inner tube like that of a bike.
Go Cart Brakes
The go-Karts brakes are often disc but can also be drum or band brakes depending on the model. The disc brake(recommended) contains a spinning disc inside a mechanical disc brake that connects to the rear axle which has a caliper that pinches to slow the kart down.
Go Cart Engines
The next part to consider is the go karts engine. Gocarts typically use a gasoline engine either custom designed or from a lawnmower, motorcycle or leaf blower. The go cart engine does not have an exhaust system rather a short pipe and onboard fuel tank.
The go kart engine is connected to the rear wheels through a chain. You can also configure the engine for use with transmission and clutches for better control over the cart.
NOTE: Most of your amusement park carts as well as most kids go carts contain a speed limiter to control the top speed of the cart.
Controls
The controls for your cart consist of:
Gas (accelerator) pedal – for increasing speed.
Brake pedal – for decreasing speed.
Steering wheel – for controlling the direction of the cart
Transmission – clutch pedal and shifter arm for switching gears
Where to Find Go Cart Parts
Craigslist and Traderonline classifieds are also good places to find new and used go cart parts. Most of the parts these days come from China but there are still a few of the American made machines in existence. Carter Brothers and Hammerhead go cart and parts are built right here in the USA!
Brands
Some name brands such as Yerf dog go-kart parts are available online at several retailers. Yerf Dog itself went out of business but you can still get a hold of their fantastic utility vehicles, ATV and racing go karts. Carter go kart parts are also another name brand with an excellent reputation for quality. Carter is probably the most popular name in go-karting. Started in Alabama they are the first manufacturers of go carts and thus their products are top notch.
Here Is a List of Go Kart Parts/Kit as Listed on MFG SUPPLY Website:
Axles, Jackshafts, Differential, Forward/Reverse Gearbox
Bearings
Brake Parts
Clutches
Engine & Engine Parts
Frames, Fenders, Plates, Kickstand
Fuel Accessories
Go Kart & Mini Bike Kits
Misc Hardware
Roller Chain, Tools & Chain Guards
Seats & Covers
Sprockets
Steering Components
Suspension Components
Throttle & Brake Controls
Tires
Tubes
Wheel & Hub Assemblies
Wheel Hubs
Wheel
Here is a list of places you can find all types of go-kart parts
1. MFG Supply Click Here
IMO the best place for karts parts, kits, accessories etc…
2. Harbor Freight Engine
3. Champion 6.5 HP engine
4. M&D Mower
Replacement parts and great for manuals and other replacement parts for all sorts of engines.
5. Northern Tool
Good place for karts parts
6. Affordable Go Karts
Great site for aftermarket parts and engine tune up tips
7. COMP Go Parts
High Performance parts
8. Gecker Motorsports
Good site for racing kart parts
9. ARC Racing
racing go kart parts
10. R’n'R Fabrication
More parts, some custom
11. NR Racing
Aftermarket parts
12. GX Parts
Parts for Honda engines and clones
13. BMI Karts
More aftermarket parts
14. MXK
Plans, advice, etc.
15. Parts Depot
Good place for a few hard to find parts (sprockets, axles, keys, etc.)
16. Jack’s Small Engines
Engines and replacement parts
17. Craigslist.com
Great for engines, frames, gocarts, parts etc….
18. eBay.com
19. NR Racing.com
20. Gokartsupply.com
If you found this post helpful then try reading my research on how to build a go-kart
