Hello, new to karting, my son is 9 and racing in a Briggs lo206 cadet kart. I’m just trying to get a feel for what may be worthwhile stocking for parts. I really hate to be down and out while waiting on parts. Our track has a couple great guys that stock things, but they are sometimes tricky to get a hold of if it is not a race day. I have throttle cables, carb rebuild kits, wheel studs, nuts, clutch parts, sprockets. I know this is probably a question that really depends on how much you want to spend to keep out of trouble, but I guess I’m wondering, body work reasonable to stock? Wheel hubs? Spindles? Steering column? Carriers? Bearings? Brake parts?
Unfortunately, money is somewhat tight for me.
The other X factor is that my younger boy say he wants to kart and may adopt this kart… anyway, I appreciate any feedback. Thank you.
By far the part I’ve replaced the most with my son racing has been tie rods and tie rod ends. Followed by steering columns and rear axles. The steering columns and axle can be often straitened well enough to use if not totally mangled. Axle can be straitened on the kart with a small 4 or 5 lb sledge hammer a dial indicator to measure run out and a sacrificial 2x4 to protect the hub. Spindles normally hold up. A large crescent wrench works well to straighten them if bent. Not often but I have bent spindle bolts so maybe have a set of those handy. Side pod brackets can get bent but similar to columns and axles in most cases can be bent back well enough to use and be replaced later if need be. I’ve had front bumpers wear through and need to be replaced but that’s something that typically happens over time.
The stuff that gets broken the most in a crash are the front end pieces. So as Ed said, tie rods and steering columns. Those are my first spares I toss in my crash parts box.
Chains are a good spare to have too, as well as spark plugs.
Bodywork generally holds up pretty well, as it’s designed to take abuse. So I don’t usually keep spare bodywork around because it takes a huge amount of space.
Extra fasteners: nuts, bolts, tie-wire, C clips, etc. That is honestly the most replaced, lost, or worn item you will go through.
Kart parts as others have said will be front end components mostly. Typically if you bend a steering link you also bend the steering shaft. Those were our most replaced parts.
Another was rear bearing bolts/hangars. If someone is slamming you from behind that is a common breakage.
And finally axles. Although you may not actually carry spares. Instead you end up with a collection for tuning and swap between them if one is bent. Of course that may force a tuning compromise, but its better than not finishing the day and saves money on carrying spares. My son is tall so we didn’t do soft axles, the standard was our soft. But we had cut down and full length standard, cut down hard, and cut down extra hard for tuning. So if one got bent, we changed axles and made corresponding tuning adjustments. If it was not bent badly, I would straighten back at the shop at work after the race weekend.
The other stuff like noses and nerf bars are expensive and bulky to keep spares of. You will break them, but just tape the nose up and bend the nerf bars and finish the weekend. Buy your parts when you are done for the weekend. Caveat: Some series will force a nose replacement if it get the hole in it. Most of the time you’re gonna have a parts dealer at an event of that nature.
EDIT: TJ is correct on the the chain and spark plug. For 4 stroke 1 extra of each is plenty. For 2 stroke I liked to have 3-4 spark plugs and 2 chains at the track.
Sounds like you have a good list already + the above that Chuck mentions and gears, chain, brake pads, and a good selection of tools including a dead blow. For front end parts, I actually would not recommend buying much exc tie rods and a strg shaft.
if you can, pit near or with your team and get the stuff from them when you need it. Less inventory cost (for something you might not need) and if something goes sideways, they will be there to help you.
Teams that I have raced with like Team Ferris Racing and Prodigy are well stocked, I don’t even need gears, chains or most consumables. The nuts, bolts, washers, etc.. are good to have because it saves time when you are in a hurry.
Everyone is giving you good info. The 206 is fairly reliable and shouldn’t need much attention at the track. I carry but have never needed a fuel pump, float, air filter and spark plug. The clutch is cheap enough that I just carry another whole clutch. I would recommend fuel line and at least 1 filter (I had a filter crack on me once). I would suggest always having motor oil with you. Unlikely you will change the oil at the track if you do it each week at home, but if you forgot to add oil your ready. I bought containers that I have the measured amount ready to go. If you run in the rain you need an air cleaner hood and rain tires. For the kart I would add to what others have said about front end parts. A collection of nuts, bolts and other fasteners. A set of brake pads, brake fluid, chain lube, and general lube like tri flo. No matter what, you will likely find something everyone is missing. Part of the fun!