82 Harley DX4 lift and tires/rims

Motorhog

I currently have a stock Harley cart (DX4) that I am restoring (paint, seats, etc). I wish to order new tires and wheels for it. I do not care if it sits real high. It will not be used "off road" other than on a lawn. What are the biggest tires/rims that will fit stock? What could be a simple lift to install bigger tires and rims? And with a stock motor, what will the cart handle for tires and rims?

I have the cart tore down now. The rear suspension looks simple. Would appear that a guy could get longer springs, lift the current springs, or just switch to a duel gas shock (with welding on some hangers). The front a arm/spring setup appears to be more difficult to modify?

I tried to check this site for this info and found some but not most of the info. If it is in a thread please provide a link.

I am open to a motor swap in the future ( I am a snowmobile guy ) but have not figured out what motor could be used to increase the power and still have the reverse (motor running back words).

Thank you to any or all who offer help. Hoping to make this beast a nice ride soon.

BGW

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jakesnake27

to BGW

Have any pics of your cart? I'm not aware of any lift kits for these old Harleys, so fabrication would be in order, but I'm sure it's doable.

Motorhog

Currently the cart is tore down.
I have taken it down to the frame and painted the frame and engine gloss black. After looking at the suspension, I removed the springs and used a piece of 3" round pipe (cut into 2- 2" pieces as my lift spacers above the springs. Some "ears" had to be welded on to keep the spring aligned with the pipe. I then have ordered a new Monroe shock with a longer travel to work with the new height. It appears that it will work well. The shock cost $15 on ebay and the pipe was free.
Now, the issue is the front???? With a spring/a arm front it is a bit more difficult. I jacked up the front and just for kicks cobbled in some 1/2" spacers of flat stock between the 2 top springs. This modification gave me a quick 1" lift but I suspect it might cost me some ride/suspension. It is now pretty stiff.
So far, a complete couple inch lift has cost me less than $20.

I also have the body off and i am repairing some nicks in it and getting it ready for new paint. I plan on painting it gloss black then adding 3-4 coats of clear. First clear layer will have metal flake burn't orange in it, then I will add custom Harley decals I had made for the cart with a few more coats of clear.

I went through the motor (currently stock with 105 compression) and added a custom K&N air filter. Serviced both clutches (I am a snowmobile guy so that part is easy).

I have new seat covers ordered and when the body is back on expect to order new 12" rims and tires. This cart will make it's debut in a few weeks as a custom Harley cart. It may be underpowered and I may look into a new engine later. I considered it, but do not wish to give up the reverse, yet. I modded snowmobile engine could be in it's future.

Do I need to use a hosting service to post pictures?

jakesnake27

That sounds awesome! As I was reading through your post, I was thinking to myself, "man, we need some pics!" Then I read your last sentence.

You can use a hosting service, but you don't have to. I have always just uploaded them straight to the forum.

Motorhog

I bought this cart for $400 2 weeks ago. I have restored over 20 vintage snowmobiles and decided I would try a cart. It seemed like a good deal. As a hobby, I have a project going all the time. I like working on this type of motorized stuff. For a 1983 model it was in real good shape and ran decent considering it had old fuel. Tires are great but they will be replaced for new tires and rims. Here are some pics.

Great site. I have been involved with several snowmobile sites over the years and love to share info.

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jakesnake27

Nice!

You've got a great platform on which to build...

swm63

That cart almost looks new! Great find. Congrats.

sho305

Make sure you look in the section for harleys in gas golf carts, or in restorations. Looks like a fun build! Many carts will fit a 20" lawn type tire stock, and you need lift for more. I don't know on that cart. But a 18 tire compared to a 20 tire, the 20 is 1" larger all the way around, so if you run your fingers around the tire you should have 1" space in order to fit it. You have to account for suspension movement and swing if it could hit anything, and for steering in front. Most lifts you are supposed to use offset wheels that move the wheel out about 1" or more. As many larger atv tires stick out the sides and will hit inside the wheel, hit the wheel well or suspension parts, shocks, frame, etc., without more offset on the wheels or use spacers.

Most lifts do just jack up the springs, or if it messes up the geometry (steering usually) they lower the mount points of the arms. Often in the rear you can lower the cradle some without problems but with a big lift you often have to lower the front of the cradle because it gets too much angle to it. Rear lifts can jack up the springs or move shock mounts, move the axle under leaf springs, change blocks on the springs to axle, change shackles, etc.

Motorhog

I decided to run in the middle with tires and rims. I ordered a 12" rim with a lower profile tire that has a 19" height. Since this will be a Harley cart, it needs the usual Harley bling. Attached is a picture of tires and rims ordered.

I am currently painting the body. I started with a coat of gloss black from PPG. After 24 hours of dry time I added a layer of clear with dark orange metal flake mixed in. I am waiting on that to dry and decals will go on then 1-2 more coats of clear. I will have to do some wet sanding (orange peel) since I am not a professional painter or have a professional paint booth. I will take some pictures of it today and post them up.

Along with the rest of it I have ordered a new custom top in black that is being made by a boat cover specialist in my area, a nice stereo with 4 speakers, and the new seat covers should be here any day. I am excited that it will be a pretty cool cart. Maybe a bit worried about lack of power but I will get over that.

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sho305

Bling for sure, very nice wheels! I wait for someone to do a cart with a harley twin, they say you can buy one for low as 500. Sure you would have to put a jackshaft in or something but would that be a nice sounding cart or what....

I've also thought of taking two clones and cogged belt them together with harley timing. You can get 8hp out of a small clone with hardly any mods.