Got my (new to me) Shifter Kart!

[BoulderG]

I’ve taken the plunge! Right off the deep end and bought a used shifter kart as my first kart.

I’m in deep water and way over my head – should be fun!

It’s a 1999 CRG Daytona Heron with a stock CR125 Honda. Tillet covered seat, Mychron 2, some used tires, driver’s suit, etc.

The kart and motor seem to be in fine shape and I can’t wait to run it. I’ll spend next year learning to drive and maybe do a little racing.

This forum and group has been great so far, and I look forward to meeting you folks in person.

I’m looking for information. I know sports cars, but nothing about 2-strokes or karting. I’d like to learn _before_ hitting the track.

I need info on how to take care of my motor: What fluids, how much, how to take care of it, etc. What rpms to use, what’s redline, etc. All the stuff I should know to avoid blowing it up.

I think it has a TM carb. How do I jet this?

Where can I get a rib protector?

Later, I’ll learn to setup the kart to fit me and drive/handle well.

I’m in Boulder, close to IMI and Bandimere. Are there books to read? Factory manuals? This weather is better for reading than driving, so I welcome people’s comments.

Thanks,
Geremy

[Rodney Ebersole]

Welcome to karting!! The pic looks great. You are in for some fun seat time. Don’t worry much about hurting your kart or motor, it will hurt you before you hurt it. Start making notes. The great thing about karting is after 25 years of making notes I am still learning to make my karts drive and handle well.
Sounds like your kart fits right into the S3 class which I would recommend you racing in next year. With a few practice runs you will be ready to go to kart racing 101 class. No better school than a race.
I hope the kart is in a warm place or the water is drained?
Find out which gears it has on it now and which ones you need for Bandimere and IMI. See what jets and needle position it’s at now and run down to one of the tracks and buy a rib protecter/tranny fuild/jets/gears/plugs/2 stroke oil and a little fuel. Be shure to hang around the shop and get your money’s worth of free B.S. it helps too.
Practice a few times firing it up on the stand, changing gears and rub it down from top to bottom, karts really like that. Get ready for a warm winters day practice run.
Red line is when it stops gowing faster and you shift to the next faster gear. I am a newby to shifters too, my redline is checked in all 6 gears and it never is enough. Try to forget what you payed for it and drive it like you stold it and run em down to the cords.

[Anonymous]

😀 What size protector do you need-have a brand new Ribtech that I dont use-believe it is an XL but dont hold me to that

[Stu Waterman]

Hey Geremy,

Welcome to karting! We’re in Boulder – if you want to get together and bench race let me know. We’d be glad to share what (little) we know, at least until the beer runs out! :cheers:

[Anonymous]

Geremy,

I was wondering if I would find any fellow SCCA Time Trial-ers looking for alternative sources of speed…especially since most of the race tracks in Colorado are gone!

I was into Karting in the NorCal region from age 8 to 18 (1977-87) and have recently given serious thought to getting back into it again, but this time with a 125cc shifter kart. My kids are 3 and 4, and they LOVE cars and just about anything with a motor in it, so in a few years maybe they can get involved, too. Mom is all for it, thankfully.

So…I read your Newbie thread and gathered much information already. Are there rule books and class descriptions online? Is there a chassis or an engine that is not competitive/reliable (besides being worn out?) Others are welcome to comment!

Congrats on your purchase, Geremy! It even matches your Miata.

This board looks like a great resource. Hopefully I’ll meet some of you in the near future!

Dave D.
(#76AS…the Silver ‘Vette)

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