SINCE we are all motorheads and we love classic cars, it’s probably safe to assume that all of us love classic car races. I for one will always click on any YouTube link that features old cars duking it out on track.
Classic car racing can be done on the cheap, find an unpopular classic and you probably can go racing for a low price. However, a less popular classic is less popular probably for several reasons; parts may not be easy to find and maybe they are not reliable, two very bad combinations for racing.
I think it is time for us to indulge in a fantastically low-cost motorsport in the form of cyclekarts.
Cyclekarts are basically simple kart built with steel frame, motorcycle wheels and a small engine. They are typically skinned to look like pre-WW2 racing cars, usually Grand Prix racers.
The Honda GX200 utility engine seems to be the power source of choice and who can argue with that since the original can be bought for around RM1,500 while China clones can be yours for under RM1,000. Parts are easily available, so easy that you can even find them on local online stores.
I even spotted one used China copy of the engine for under RM400.
The steel square sections needed to build the frame are available at most good hardware stores for around RM50 per 10-foot section and the whole build will need under 20 feet.
The rest of the bits and bobs can be made from flatbars and pipes, while the set of tools required include a drill, angle grinder and a welding machine. Obviously you will need screwdrivers, pliers, clamps and Allen keys.
A rod welder will set you back around RM350 for a cheap version, which is sufficient but if you are thinking of doing a bit of extra welding work afterwards, a midrange machine can be yours for around RM500-750.
Things that you may also need to buy include a steering rack, steering wheel and some sheet aluminium for the bodywork.
The steering rack can be sourced from scrap yards and the same goes for the steering wheel. The aluminium sheet will set you back a maximum of RM200. I suggest you look for the biggest hardware store in your area with the list of parts to make sure you can find what you need.
If you do all the work, it looks like the cost of parts can be kept under RM5,000 and because they run on really simple mechanicals, these things will require next to nothing to maintain.
In the coming months I am going to try and build one of these machines and will share the progress here. You can follow the links I include at the end of this article to find resources which list different plans and provide list of parts, most of which you can build from scratch or improvise using things that can be found in a hardware shop.
Cyclekart started in the United States and they are catching on in Europe as more people realise that this is something that they can attempt to build on weekends with available skills.
There are no rules, but there is a group in US that has come up with a simple guideline on how to build the karts. The overarching idea is to keep it simple.
There are those who try to incorporate some sort of differential and suspension to help the karts go faster around corners, but for the most part, everyone runs the kart with one-wheel rear-drive.
Engines of choice are usually lawnmower engines and they are mounted behind the driver with a simple centrifugal clutch mechanism and chain drive to the rear wheels.
The karts have very little in terms of safety features other than the brakes, so most people keep the engine stock with small adjustments to tuning and maybe exhaust to prevent cars going too fast and causing injury if they lose control or get into accidents.
If we get enough like-minded friends to build these karts, there is a possibility of organising a first meet, to talk about how we are coming along and then, who knows where it can go from there.
Anyone keen to start this project can contact me at ilham.editorial@gmail.com. Maybe we can share thoughts and ideas.
Links to Cyclekart resources
https://www.buildyourownracecar.com/racecartype-cyclekart/
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