1973 Honda 350 engine in a go-kart?

Question

I'm taking the engine out of my old beat up Honda 350 and putting it in a go-kart/work kart. The only problem is the lack of a reverse gear.. what might be an inexpensive way to add reverse in some way.

Answer 1

No cheap way to add reverse to a transmission that never had it to begin with.

The cheapest and easiest option is the get-out-and-drag-it-backwards trick.

Second option (you don't mention what model you're working with, XL, SL, CB, CL??) so I don't know if you've got a battery on the thing, but if it's got a battery, and if you're decent at electronics you could utilize a small high-torque motor (say out of a power hand drill) that runs a pulley and tensioner system that would give you enough backing power to do basic stuff on flat ground.

However, like others have already mentioned - reverse is gonna be the least of your worries.

Fuel tank above the carbs on a four stroke puts the fuel tank ABOVE your head in most cases - then the pipes, where do you put those?

In most cases, especially if you've got an XL 350, you're going to be better off selling the engine you've got (they're worth some money to the vintage racers), and purchasing something designed specifically for kart use.

Answer 2

Alot of people talk about doing it, but its a real pain in the butt. First of all you have to have the gas tank higher than the carbs (unless you use a fuel pump), then the exhaust will be a huge cobb job, not to mention the engine mounts and linkage for the shifting, the drive setup and figureing the right gearing. It can be done, but, there are purpose built kart engines that would be alot easier to use in the long run

Answer 3

the difficulty with the honda motorcycles until now the 80s became into they have been made in good products. i anticipate you may rebuild basically approximately all of it. the trick with the trans is you will be waiting to pop the twine out of the trans with basically taking some bolts out of trans plate. as for the engine seek for the mounting brackets. in the adventure that your sort does no longer have it then there could be small cover plates on the realm of the bike which you will pop off and you may see them. sturdy luck with figuring this one out. they're a ***** to take appart and get ready. honda did no longer do nicely with making those fashions

Answer 4

hey ya stole my idea lol
i have wanted to go that for a while

all i can say is by a overhaul kit if u wanna use the reverse
i they aint to expensive

correction i just realized u ment a motor cycle dont ask why i ddidnt realize it before
all i can really say if it dont have reverse is use nutral

Answer 5

bad idea