You’ve been scouring the classifieds and finally found a promising used kart. It may even seem perfect. The perfect engine package, great graphics, maybe the seller’s offering to throw in some extra parts. Whatever the case may be, you’ve got to be careful to not fall victim to misinformation. Pictures only take you so far when it comes to karts — the real story can only be told when you’re standing in front of it.
Check The Underside Of The Kart
Chassis condition is the most important factor when deciding to purchase a used kart. If your chassis is worn, the kart is pretty much past repair. You can always replace the components of the kart, but without a sufficient chassis, you’re not going to make any progress. That’s why I believe this should be the very first thing you concern yourself with when buying used.
Look for severe wear on the underside of the chassis tubes. Any flat spots should indicate that a kart is on it’s way out. Don’t worry if there’s scrapes — that’s normal wear. Just ensure that the tubes aren’t scraped so badly that they don’t resemble a… well… tube!
Look For Engine Seals
Most racing engines come out of the factory with a seal. These seals are in place to prevent competitors from tampering with parts that would increase power beyond the standard. If a mechanic or engine builder were to get to these parts, they would need to break the seal to enter, making it clear to any tech inspectors that the engine was tampered with.
Unsealed engines cannot be raced and would need to be replaced or resealed by a select licensed technician. That’s why it’s vital to ensure the kart you’re after is running a legal engine. Be sure to research what your chosen engine’s seal looks like before visiting a prospective kart.
Ask Questions About The Kart
A lot of the life of a kart might not be able to be told from a brief (yet, hopefully thorough) inspection. There are some very important questions that I always ask before even considering handing over any cash.
What types of incidents has this kart been involved in?
If you’re pushing your kart hard enough and spent enough hours with it, you’re bound to get in a couple scuffles. Whether it happens by yourself (we all do it) or involving other parties, it’s just the nature of good, hard racing. However, there’s a difference between a crash that bends a tie rod and one that bends a kart. As someone new to racing, you might not be sure what types of crashes cause which types of damage, but asking this question can pose the follow-up of the repairs that were made. Watch out for any stories that involve a straightening table or a welder!
Who worked on this engine and how frequently was it serviced?
This question will look different depending on the type of engine you’re referencing, but the idea behind it is to get a feel for the reliability and legality of the engine. Few rebuilds on a two-stroke or infrequent oil changes on a four-stroke will lead you to nothing but problems. So, be sure to get a feel for how the engine was treated. You should also throw in a couple questions about engine builders or anything regarding people that might have touched or tampered with the engine. The last thing you want after a great race is a terrible result in tech. An illegal engine is an expensive problem to fix.
Which class was this kart raced in?
There are two “sizes” of karts. You have a full-sized chassis and a cadet/micro/mini chassis. The latter is used within a strict age range (5-8 years) and the former is used from then on. For example, a junior Briggs class would use the same size chassis as a senior Briggs, however the kart would have a different setup and the engine would be restricted. It’d be pretty hard to mistake a cadet kart for a full-sized one as they’re about half the size, but if you’re unaware, it can happen.
However, there’s another reason I raise this question. Let’s assume you’re buying a kart that was previously raced in a junior Briggs class. You inspect what you’re supposed to, maybe negotiate a great deal, and take it home. Everything seems great. You head to the track full of excitement, drop the kart onto the grid, however, when you try to sit down, you get stuck in the seat with your knees in your chest. That’s when you realize just how different you’re built from a twelve-year-old. However, as I said previously, a junior kart is just a few tweaks away from being a senior. With the right tools, knowledge and equipment, you can easily adjust the kart to fit you — just keep that extra work in mind before you finalize any deals.
Ensure It’s Homologated
Not all clubs or series require the chassis itself to be homologated, however most clubs now require certain safety fittings that weren’t required so much as five years ago. I’m a strong believer that age doesn’t ruin a kart, however, older karts won’t always be compatible with new equipment. This can become a problem when the equipment is mandatory — such as the pushback bumper.
The pushback bumper is designed to drop the front nosecone after sufficient impact. This will indicate to the stewards that you have potentially made excessive contact with another kart. These devices themselves aren’t very expensive, however, most older nosecones don’t have internal threads to attach the pushback. If this is the case, you’d need to buy a brand new nose cone — which starts at around $150 (USD) brand new.
I encourage you to look through your local rulebook and write down a list of necessary specifications. You can bring this with you for your inspection to ensure the kart is ready to compete.
Start It Up!
I’ll admit, I have bought a kart without starting up the engine. My general inspection checked out, it was rainy, cold, and early enough for me to want to get the heck home. I figured that if anything went wrong, I’d just head back to his house and chew him out. Luckily, I never had to, but I’d be really sorry if I did. Don’t be like me. Always ask to start the engine. It only takes a minute and it’s not going to offend your seller unless there really is something wrong with it.
Once it’s on, listen for any grinding, rattling, or generally odd noises. Don’t worry if you’re not very familiar with engines; if something’s really wrong, you’ll know. Again, always ask questions if you’re doubtful. It’s better to have your doubts disproven than your ignorance bite you in the rump.
Conclusion
Buying a used kart is an excellent way to get competitive equipment without breaking the bank. Don’t allow the stigma around classifieds ads and second-hand sites to discourage you. So long as you’re diligent, persistent, and well-informed, you’ll be just fine. Be sure to take your time when it comes to inspections and always speak up if you need answers!