Im new to karting about to buy a birel!! help

[Joshws6]

Well I am totally new to karting and am jumping into the seen fast. My buddy just got a birel now I want one. There is a local karting track 20 min from my house too.
Anyway I have a opportunity to buy this chassie it is a 99 birel cr32 40mm axle with different gear sets. comes with everything in the picture
How much is it worth? The chassie is in overall good condition.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n241/sickws6/DSCN0525.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n241/sickws6/DSCN0529.jpg

[Garry Lobaugh]

That is a tough question as it depends how it was stored and taken care of since retirement. Certainly the kart looks o.k. It is better to look at the bottom of the kart and that gives a better picture as to what has been happening.

The worst case would be bent king pins and some brake rebuild kits. This would look to be a 2001 or 02 chassis. If you look on the bearing hanger you can determine the year by consulting our www.gobirel.com site which has a section titled "how do I".

It does have a Rad, a water pump assembly which implies that the kart at one time carried and ICC motor package, yet the right pod is cut out for a CR 125 pipe kit to have beenon it at one time. I would suggest inflating the tires to equal pressures, then find a flat surface and rotate the steering wheel hard left and hard right. Watch to see if the tires pick up evenly to assure that the front end is not bent.

For the seller sake they want all they can get for the chassis. Anything under $2k would look like a deal. Does that give you a clue?

[Joshws6]

Thanks for the info. The guy said he had a moto 125 engine I think thats what he said. I would like to put a 125 on it. The guy lives a couple hours away I am going to try to make it up there to take a look at it soon. So what do you m mean when you say check to see if the wheels lift up together when I turn it hard left and right?

[Garry Lobaugh]

Inflate the tires to equal air pressures all around.. Let's say 12lbs.

then sit the kart on a flat surface. Rotate the steering wheel hard right...note how far the tire picks up off the floor ( maybe use a tape measure to get an idea) then rotate hard to the left and do the same measurement. That will help insure that the front end of the kart is square.

Careful examination to the complete chassis from the bottom up is suggested.

[Joshws6]

Thanks ok I will do that for sure. I am going to try to check it out and buy it next week. I will offer the guy a reasonale offer.

[Marc Miller]

Josh-

Let us know how much you are able to pick it up for.... hopefully you get a great deal. Also - make sure once you have it, you go through the braking system. I would suggest some master cylinder kits - especially if it has been sitting and inspect the calipers VERY closely. Having a brake system sit for even a year and go through the seasons could break down anything that is rubber and make it unable to function.

Congrats and welcome to the Birel family!

[Joshws6]

I sure will, Well the man agreed he would take 900 for the kart which I think is a good deal. I just dont know where to start on getting a motor for the think would you be willing to guide me?!!

[Marc Miller]

Sure. Where are you located and what is your local track(s)?

[Garry Lobaugh]

The price is a great deal. My suggestion is to go with a new stock honda to avoid motor issues.

[Joshws6]

thanks guys. I am located in cincinnati ohio, g and J track is 20 min away so it looks like that will be my track . So IF i buy this chassi I will need a motor, motor mount, cables, fuel pump, water pump and some other little things like pipe and intake. Where could I get a package deal or what would you guys suggest doing? How much and where can I get motors?

[Dan Schlosser]

Josh, the class Garry suggested is definitely growing in our region - Stock Moto (Honda 125).

We just purchased three engine packages through MKP's shop (Thanks Mike!) to get our stock moto program off the ground - two are sold already and one is going on the shelf for the time being. The package is complete with all of the little pieces and parts which made it appealing for us rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. The total price for everything brand new is in the $3200-3500 range I believe.

We will also carry the same package from NSEW engines it looks like - they are a local engine builder to our shop (BeaveRun near Pittsburgh - about 4 hours from you?) in the same price range.

The guys running these packages at BeaveRun are thrilled with them - little maintenance and lots of fun. And the other good part is that the class is growing at New Castle, Circleville and BeaveRun for sure so you'll have plenty of places to play.

[Joshws6]

Thanks DAn, But that is a little out of my price range. Like I have stated before I just want something to go out and have fun with and learn how to drive these things. Then hopefully maybe sell it and move up to a later newer kart. I was maybe thinking about buying a 4 stroke because of the less maintanance needed. Any suggestions on an offordable motor for me used or new? Again thanks guys I am totally new to these things, but from expericence riding dirt bikes I loved my honda 400ex 4 stroke way better than my rm125 2-stroke, but it seems like the shifter kart world has not quite made the transition like the motorcross has.

[Garry Lobaugh]

This would be the wrong kart for a 4 cycle application. You would need a 30 mm tube kart, the one pictured is a 32 mm kart.

[Marc Miller]

Josh-

Someone with time, fabrications skills and ingenuity can mount up just about anything on one of these karts. What you will need to keep in mind is, you won't ever be able to race it competitively unless you follow some sort of rules. If you are ok with that and just want to take it out to play with - then have at it. Locate a cheap 4-stroke bike motor and begin making up the components you need to mount it safely and efficiently. You might have to be creative. In the end however, you might find out that you will have spent just as much then getting the stock honda kit Dan is referring too - you just won't have spent it all at one time :)

Either way - we're here to help. Make sure you use quality parts - as those tree-stump pulling motocross engines will make the need for constant tinkering and adjustment to keep from bending and twisting things!

[Joshws6]

HAHA yea I have heard the torque of the 4-strokes do tend to break things easily on shifter karts. You did catch my attention about the rules of different classes and stuff, I dont want to waste my time building something that I can't race competitively.

How hard, and what does consists of modifying a regular d125 dirt bike engine to work on a shifter kart? Seems to me you just need to modify a shifter bracket to mount onto the shifter linkage. And remove the kick start.

[Marc Miller]

There are a few things you will want to do. First, you need a pipe, as the motoX pipes are peaky and not designed for broad power bands with lots of time at WOT (wide open throttle). You will also need a car, preferably a 38mm PWK or Mikuni and aire cleaner.

For the Honda's, they have plugs offered with the kick-start already removed as part of the kit (like Dan suggested). You will need a motor-mount of course and a "J-lever" which bolts on to the output shaft of the tranny (splined) and bolts to your shift linkage.

All this little stuff adds up quickly unless you can fabricate it on your own. Which is why I suggest... you seriously consider bolting on a Rotax F125 package (you can find a used package around $2,000 or less if you look hard enough.... OR follow Dan's advise and get the Stock Moto Honda package which comes with most of the stuff you need. You can even locate a used package around sometimes for about that same price if you shop around - just make sure you are getting something reliable.

That will give you the best option for seat time, reliability and competition as those classes are available more often. You can run Rotax at a ton of tracks in the midwest and your chassis will work with that if you remove the front brakes and replace the spindles... or stock honda the kart will work just fine.

Good questions - and good luck!

[Joshws6]

Thanks Mark a lot for your helpful info. I do consider my self a fabricator. I acutally have fabricated a trubo set up on my 01trans am hence (joshWS6) . I do have the time and tools to prob make the necessary brackets and such. I could buy a motor mount right? I will definitely search around for a kit thought what your talking about.

[Marc Miller]

I believe you can get a motor mount through us - if it is a honda. Better to find a spec honda package all done. Just keep looking and if you have questions - feel free to post or call Steve Miller @ MRP - 269-756-9133.