First week of build.

[josullivan]

I got my plans via email and began buying parts,tubing, more tools that I know that i've bought before but can no longer find due to the crap my girl has crammed into my garage.

[Mike Bean]

Hey Looking good! When do you think you will have it finished?

Keep us posted on your build progress!

-mbean

[josullivan]

I would have liked to finish my BSR before the upcoming weekend, but my funds have run low. I don't yet have my motor or torque-a verter. I am impatient and have proceeded with the build anyway. I hope that everything lines up and works. I can't wait to down a cold beer while riding down my street at an excessive rate of speed!

[g2g2g07]

i have a ? where do you get your tubing from and how much do you need.

[josullivan]

I got my tubing from a local scrap recycler that also sells new steel products. I bought two 20 foot pieces for about $30. It seems that the price is up a bit, but what prices aren't?

[drunkonhighseas]

I got a few parts via ups and can now finish the fabrication of my frame. I still need the most important parts... engine, wheels, brakes, but i should be getting them soon. I hope to upload more pics also. Does anyone know if adding a wheelie bar is all that necessary, or is it just for looks?

[ZZ430]

Last year when I was building all my BSR's the Tecs where over 250 + including shipping for the 6 1/2. Now on Ebay they are down to 160 and 6hp even lower. There were guys selling all those chinese copys of the hondas and didnt tell racers they were metric. (Beware) My 6 1/2 with the Max clutch is a simple way for keeping expenses down. Ive even used that set up on 2 seat limos with a 12/70 with 2 adults and had no problems with clutches. MB has already mentioned all of the other places to buy parts and its a buyers market on Ebay. Oh by the way MB I saw where Kool-fin is selling the Beer keg gas tanks with a Honda gas cap it looked good but 75 ? Good luck all and I found out BSR's arent for Drinking and driving OUCH. My nickname/ Budman. Instead of a single beer I carried a 152QT cooler in my Trailer.

[RUBICON]

Well...If your engine / torque converter / gearing / rider weight are even average then the front wheels will lift at least at low speeds...and as you learn the weight balance and torque capabilities you have the wheelies can be great fun.....now for safety....realize that the wheelbase is short..and where the center of gravity ( your butt ) is ....when the front wheels are around 18" off the ground there is little keeping you from going over....so....for real?....yes!...for looks?.....sure!.....My stool has wheelie bars...I used to have a 1" square hitch receiver that was 2" long mounted on the rear frame to pull a small trailer....I ground 1/2" off the bottom of it doing wheelies and had to cut it off....The security of feeling the wheels stop around 12" high is worth having them.....I am still working on how to post a video of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear wheelies on mine...and a closeup of the wear on the skateboard wheels...THANKS

[Mike Bean]

I got my plans via email and began buying parts,tubing, more tools that I know that i've bought before but can no longer find due to the crap my girl has crammed into my garage.

Josullivan,

I was reading over your first post with the photo and notice something incorrect. You have the inside frame supports reversed. The area that has the long side is where the chain will run and that need to be on the left side instead of the right.

I hope you did not finish weld thoes parts already...

-mbean

[monkey-1]

Josullivan,

I was reading over your first post with the photo and notice something incorrect. You have the inside frame supports reversed. The area that has the long side is where the chain will run and that need to be on the left side instead of the right.

I hope you did not finish weld thoes parts already...

-mbean

Its a flipped image.

[josullivan]

The pic is reversed. I guess that I messed it up while I was trying to resize it to get it uploaded. It's going together pretty well, but i can't seem to cut clean angles with a cut-off saw or a portable band saw. I've used both. Anyhow, the pieces are getting welded together, I just hope the thing doesn't snap in two when I put the hammer down.

[josullivan]

I finished with the biggest part of the fabrication tonight. Although my cust were not perfect, I think they will weld up fine. I've only tack welded for the most part. I need to buy more wire for my welder to finish weld the frame. Overall, I am happy with the way it's going. This is my first attempt at building a BSR, or anything on wheels... The BSR plans I got really helped out alot. I would have been lost without them as a reference.

[Mike Bean]

Josullivan,

It looks good from the photos! I use the cheap $160 band saw from Harbor Freight to make my cuts. I use an angle finder to setup the back plate. I did try the chop saw before and I was never able to make a decent cut.

A little gap should not be a problem when welding. Just be careful you do not burn through on the edges. Are you going to use solid wire or flux core for the finish welding?

-mbean

[josullivan]

I would prefer to use the solid wire over the flux cored wire mainly because of the ease in cleaning up, but don't have a bottle of welding gas. I may shop around today and try to locate a supplier to rent a bottle.


Using the band saw, I got cleaner cuts but due to "flex" in the blade, the cuts weren't perfectly straight. This caused me frustration on my front steering supports. After cutting the pieces twice, I realized that it was the band saw's fault that the pieces did not line up as indicated in the plans. With a little improvisation, the pieces all came together. I now look forward to finish welding and the task of rigging up the steering and throttle/ brake cables. :cheers:

[monkey-1]

The pic is reversed. I guess that I messed it up while I was trying to resize it to get it uploaded. It's going together pretty well, but i can't seem to cut clean angles with a cut-off saw or a portable band saw. I've used both. Anyhow, the pieces are getting welded together, I just hope the thing doesn't snap in two when I put the hammer down.

I knew the pic was reversed. The clip on the tape measure is on the wrong side in the pic, thats how I was able to tell.

[josullivan]

I never would have thought about looking at the tape measure. You've got good eyes monkey-1.

[stool-sample]

If your still in the market for a motor, we have the briggs 5.5 intek for 195.00 Ive got one mounted on our stool and I love it.Throttle was tricky but workable.Glenn

[josullivan]

What was the biggest hurdle to overcome while trying to rig the throttle. Is it going to require alot of deep thought to figure out? I like the sounds of the 6.5 Tech, or the 6.5 tech with the alternator. It might be cool to run lights for some night racing in the neighborhood after a few beers of course!! :cheers:

[stool-sample]

Most of the mechanism is under the tank. I was however able to drill a hole in a bolt for the cable and mount it on the outside. I have been told there similar to a Honda throttle? Not sure though. Glenn

[Mike Bean]

Josullivan,

Follow this link and I have a photo of my setup for a Techumseh 6.5 Powersport.

http://barflyracers.com/showthread.php?p=839#post839

-mbean

What was the biggest hurdle to overcome while trying to rig the throttle. Is it going to require alot of deep thought to figure out? I like the sounds of the 6.5 Tech, or the 6.5 tech with the alternator. It might be cool to run lights for some night racing in the neighborhood after a few beers of course!! :cheers:

[josullivan]

Well it seems as though this little project is taking for ever to complete. I can't believe that i thought i'd get it finished in a week or two... All in all, i'm pleased with the work that i have done. It is down to the final week or so until I will have it all put together. I have in my posession, or on order, all of the necessary parts to finish this puzzle. Except for one major component. I still don't have any rims.
I feel as though the few cart suppliers i've looked at on the web want me to buy the wrong rims, so I can buy another set when i find the ones i bought wont work!!! Why don't they have any pictures of the wheels that they stock? Are we all supposed to be go-kart racing veterans, or pit mechanics? I got a set of tires. They are 4.0/10.0-5 for the fronts, and 6.0/11.0-5 for the rears. My biggest question remains... What rims should I get? I know that they should be 5" in diameter, but how wide should they be? it seems as though there are 10,000 different sizes available.
If anyone can help with this please reply??? As for the rest of the project, it looks pretty good to me. I'll be using a 3HP briggs to start off with. I'll have to wait a short while before i can afford to buy a new engine. I found an old lawn edger that a guy said i could get free. I'll keep you posted on any progress. Thanks. John :cheers:

[josullivan]

I feel like i have solved my own problem by getting on the phone with these distributors and asking my questions directly. I ended up with a good deal on a new set of Douglas polished wheels and firestone slicks. I think i'll like the slicks. Now, all i need is an engine and chain. The engine I got free yesterday had been sitting in the garage of this guy who told me that he hadn't ran the engine since he began hiring out his yard work.
Any way, I asked how long he had his lawn serviced by others to which he replied, "15 years or so"!!! Now I must become an engine mechanic... :gunsfirin