The past few months I've been wrenching on an old Yamaha G1A I got from someone at work. The idea was to put a rotary in it and just have fun with it. This seed was planted from when the guys and I at RotaryRecycle were building the go-kart project. I had an idea at that time to use a golf cart differential or something similar but we were short on time for DGRR so the end result was simply a drive belt and pulley set-up which unfortunately ruined the practicality of having a go-kart (ask DJ
). The thing would go really freaking fast once moving though!
After collecting dust under my house for years (and while in the middle of moving) I found motivation to do something new with the KM24. Here is the bitchin sweet '79 G1 the day I brought her home. .
The tires/wheels were in very rough shape (the rear especially), I needed to get new tires first thing before doing anything else so I could easily roll the thing around without having to air the tires each time. I was not aware how expensive these stupid tires were till I needed some, I just assumed an 8" golf cart tire with wheel would have been ~$40-50. . . I was sadly mistaken, the tires alone were $60 (each!) at Wal-Mart! Anyways, I found a much better deal on eBay for a wheel/tire combo and 10" DOTs to top it off. I definitely put lipstick on a pig
After mocking things up I found I needed a different intake manifold, one with a bend or else I'd have to move the engine further forward than I'd like. Once I got that, the fun could begin
I swapped the original carb out with another Tillotson, one with a built in fuel pump, rebuilt it too.
Since this was originally a two-stroke model (different components to spin engine opposite direction for reverse), most of the electronics/wiring weren't compatible with my application and to top it off the wiring was too complex for me to figure out how to retain something as simple as a solenoid so I stripped it all out. Keeping it stupid simple, I used trailer wire as a harness (the ends have connectors!) and a universal solenoid and ignition switch.
After removing the overcomplicated TEN wire ignition switch that was much larger than the simple universal piece I installed, I needed something to attach it. I made a plate using a sticker a friend made for a template. I thought this was a nice touch
Getting close. . Ordered a K&N and a drive belt. . the first belt I ordered was pretty darn close! just a little too small. I ordered two larger sizes
I got her running, now to get an exhaust made, adjust the carb, and hope one of the two belts I ordered works better than the current. . Anyways, hope y'all get a kick out of this, it sure has been fun so far! Here's a BookFace video, not sure if everyone can see it? ? If not I'll try something else.
https://www.facebook.com/zach.moore....3137861041023/
A fun project I'm sure many will enjoy.
- DGRR 2011 Peoples Choice - April 2011 Rotary of the Month 
Linear Mode
