Cyclekarts: Simple, Fun Vehicles

Ed
By Ed Higginbotham
Aug 1, 2017 | Posted in News and Notes | From the June 2017 issue | Never miss an article

No, this isn’t some miniature sports car from the 1920s. This lightweight racer was built just a couple of years ago. Welcome to the world of cyclekarts.

The cyclekart phenomenon is a reincarnation of the cyclecar enthusiasm from the 1920s, when a generation of racers were completely focused on lightweight, raw performance. Reader Steve Vinson and his 9-year-old son are hooked on it, and have some tips for others looking to get involved as well.

Why?

Ever felt the desire to go back to basics and experience driving in its most visceral form? These karts are an attempt to accomplish just that, providing a jump back into the extreme basics of driving.

What Is It?

Cyclekarts are extremely lightweight and usually sport a 6.5-horsepower Honda GX200 engine or something similar. A Comet Torque-A-Verter transfers power to the wheels, making this a clutch-free affair. Make no mistake, however: They can move. Steve says that max speed depends on gearing, but they can hit about 47 mph.

What Can It Do?

These aren’t just novelties built to attract oddball attention; there are clubs that regularly meet. Steve’s group, the Arizona chapter of the CycleKart Club, started out with just three karts in 2015 and now counts a dozen finished karts among its members.

“There is a very active group in the Pacific Northwest,” Steve adds. “They call themselves the Gittrevelle Grand Prix, and they hold an annual event called the Tieton Grand Prix each June in Tieton, Washington. They are expecting 30 karts at this year’s event.”

How to Get Started?

Getting involved means building a kart. “There really aren’t plans for the karts,” Steve explains. “Most builders follow what other builders have done and modify the frame size and body design to suit their own personal taste, and in most cases, the limits of their abilities. Pretty much all the karts that are built are designed from scratch and shaped to look similar to the chosen inspiration car.”

How Much?

Steve says it took about six months and $2500 for him and his son to build each of their karts.

Need More information?

There’s a helpful community online at cyclekartclub.com.

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Comments
Toyman01
Toyman01 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/1/17 4:24 p.m.

I would love to build one.

How about a Challenge class. Drag, autocross, and concourse. It would be a hoot.

dculberson
dculberson PowerDork
8/1/17 4:35 p.m.

I wonder how well one would handle driving around in my hilly yard. Sort of a rallycross course - 1/3 tarmac 2/3 grass.

Driven5
Driven5 Dork
8/2/17 1:17 p.m.

It's a shame that there are no V-twins with low enough hp. I wonder if any exhaust trickery could make one of these cars sound even half as good as they look...Regardless, I'd love to build one just to find out.

914Driver
914Driver MegaDork
8/2/17 1:23 p.m.

I would build one if ten of my neighbors did also.

FlightService
FlightService MegaDork
8/2/17 1:26 p.m.

oh yeah

RossD
RossD MegaDork
8/2/17 2:40 p.m.

One is on my build bucket list.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/2/17 3:16 p.m.
Toyman01 wrote: I would love to build one. How about a Challenge class. Drag, autocross, and concourse. It would be a hoot.

If a few of you built and brought some, I'm sure that we can find a way to accommodate them.

Toyman01
Toyman01 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/2/17 3:36 p.m.

I'm in. Any other takers?

Zomby Woof
Zomby Woof PowerDork
8/2/17 3:45 p.m.
Driven5 wrote: It's a shame that there are no V-twins with low enough hp. I wonder if any exhaust trickery could make one of these cars sound even half as good as they look...Regardless, I'd love to build one just to find out.

There isn't anything you can't get for the gx200 - and for peanuts. You should hear my minibike

sesto elemento
sesto elemento SuperDork
8/2/17 6:24 p.m.

There should be a challenge class for these

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