I have crappy Honda CB360 with a nice running motor, how much would it take to build a go kart from this?

How fast should it go?

 

If it's a running engine, you can make a go kart out of it.

Are you good at tube frame fabrication? Where will you drive this go kart? Will it have suspension?

The answer to those questions will answer how fast you should go. If you're a good fabricator, you build it with good suspension, and have wide open areas, gear it to go as fast as the engine will pull it reliably. I'd guess about 55 for a 360cc engine.

If you're welds are suspect, it's a hardtail, and you're in a confined area, build it to go only slightly faster than you want to be going when you crash.

 

why only 55? Its almost a 30 horse engine I think. The bike will go about 90 and it would only take a lighter go kart 55?

 

You've got way more wind resistance and drag with a four-wheel kart vs. a bike.
I guess it depends on tires and surface. 30hp would probably do 90 on one of those super-low racing karts. I was thinking of an offroad kart with big tires and some tread that would get some bite. That would eat a little more power. On sand with paddle tires, 30hp isn't that much power. You might be doing good to hit 55 there.

 

A friend and I once put a CB360 engine on a Mini bike frame. The bike orginally came with a 3 HP briggs and it looked sick with that 6 speed twin on it. Chrome drag pipes down the side, little 10" tall tires, stock springer frontend, and chrome highway bars. The bike was so short that when you sit on the seat with your feet on the floor, your knees were angled upward. It looked cool. All we needed was to get the rear sprocket on somehow and it would have been ready to go. Never did finish it.

 

The 360 is a great little engine!

 

i cant get my 360 engine running well, it runs on one cylinder most of the timeand wont rev at all, and will run on 2 every now and then and really comes to life, but it only runs like that for a few seconds..

i want to get some new points for it, anyone know where for cheap?

ive messed with the electronics a ton, ran the wires to opposite coils and everything to make sure it all worked..all i got left now it to try to get new points or maybe new condensers

cleaned teh carbs a while ago too..so im outta ideas kinda

anyone got suggestions?

dan

 

hey phatcat,

I dont know much bout that but I would use an atv rear end and a-rms. you would have to make your own mounts for it but thats pretty easy if you can weld.

but if you dont use it and want to sell it, make sure you let me know.

thanx,
brandon

 

Dan, your honda dealer should be able to still get points. Some dealers can get them through the aftermarket also. I bought a set for my CB450 from aftermarket and they were only $15.

 

Hey phatcat,

I can help if you have questions, I made a buggy like you are looking at doing. I started with a cb250 honda, but changed to a 300ex engine later on. I can say that the 250 lacked torque like the 300ex had, but the transmission gears were spread farther than the 300 too. I could have a good low first, and it still could cruise at a pretty quick pace, probably 55 or so. I only ran it with the 250 for a few days so Im not positive of top speeds. I can say that currently with the 300ex engine it tops out at 57 mph ( 14 tooth front, I think a 40 rear). I would say you could get 70 or better rather easily if your 360 runs good.

I made my buggy last spring, and am still changing things today to make it better. I ride it more than my 400z, its a TON of fun! It goes really well in the woods, I've taken it everywhere I would my quad and then some.

Anyway, email me at binfordw@yahoo.com or post here if you have questions, I could help you find parts or make custom ones for you too if you needed. I'd be glad to help!


Theres pics here somewhere, search for " minirail project pics" .