Picked up this Clark…

[Thunderbyte]

Looking for info on this Clark I just picked up. Looks mostly original but I think the motor is not. Also believe the gas pedal is not original. I think it used to be yellow based on the underside where the red paint is scratched off. There is a sticker under the seat pad back but it’s painted over. I was told it runs but didn’t want to fire it until I had a chance to go over it first. Overall in good shape. I plan on rebuilding the cart to tear up the yard and display in my man cave.

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[panchothedog]

Welcome to the forum. That looks very nice and very complete. Going to look really good all shiny and new.

 

[kwhmopar]

Nice Clark kart. I am going to say the engine is not original also. Same with the pedal. Here are some pics of my original Clark. The decal under the seat cover has the serial number.

 

[Mikeydege]

Looking for info on this Clark I just picked up. Looks mostly original but I think the motor is not. Also believe the gas pedal is not original. I think it used to be yellow based on the underside where the red paint is scratched off. There is a sticker under the seat pad back but it’s painted over. I was told it runs but didn’t want to fire it until I had a chance to go over it first. Overall in good shape. I plan on rebuilding the cart to tear up the yard and display in my man cave.

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This is my later model Clark with tecumseh I just acquired

 

[Hellion]

Ugh, I hate those separate picture links so I'm "stealing" them and re-posting them.
The OP's pics:

I knew in advance that the Briggs was a later 1990s model, but I zoomed in on the engine serial number anyway and I see "95" or "96" as the last two digits of the year. I think this is a 1980s kart.

It should run and/or have spark as those later engines (past the year 1982) all have Magnetron ignition which eliminated the old points ignition which weren't as reliable.

Keep in mind you can always keep the block and "backdate" the engine with a new tank, blower shroud and carburetor assembly (basically adding different sheet metal) to make it look more like the engine in post #3. The present engine is from the era when Briggs stopped painting the blocks and left them bare aluminum, not to mention that they redesigned the blower shroud and made it more square-ish. The air cleaner became a square affair too with a dual element paper and foam pre-filter and the gas tanks deleted the old screw-on cap and added the slotted push and turn type cap (which leak more in my opinion).

Those wheels aren't original and Bubba (a previous owner) took to welding at least one of the wheels to the live axle. The wheels in post #3 were common as were the Manco style cast aluminum rims.

 

[Hellion]

These aluminum pedals are the closest thing to the original pedals I've seen that are readily available. They might even be identical even though they are described as Kartco pedals...

https://www.bmikarts.com/Throttle-Brake-Pedal-from-Kartco-Go-Karts_p_1147.html

 

[Thunderbyte]

Thank you for the replies. I hadn’t noticed that one of the wheels may have been welded to the axle. I will look at this closer later. If that’s the case, does that mean I have to replace the axle to replace the wheels? That would be a bummer because I do want to replace the wheels with something a little more retro looking. I have to imagine finding an original Clark pedal might be difficult and if that’s the case, I’ll probably just get one from the link Hellion provided. I’ll keep my eyes on this form and will post updates on this cart once I have time to start digging into it.

 

[BaconBitRacing]

This kart has the potential to be beautiful. Take your time on the paint and wheels and it'll be one heck of display piece, plus great driver.

 

[Hellion]

Thank you for the replies. I hadn’t noticed that one of the wheels may have been welded to the axle. I will look at this closer later. If that’s the case, does that mean I have to replace the axle to replace the wheels? That would be a bummer because I do want to replace the wheels with something a little more retro looking. I have to imagine finding an original Clark pedal might be difficult and if that’s the case, I’ll probably just get one from the link Hellion provided. I’ll keep my eyes on this form and will post updates on this cart once I have time to start digging into it.

It sure looks like the wheel was welded on. However, looking closer and zooming in on the wheel in the last pic you see what looks like a paper-thin gap between the blob of weld and the axle. Maybe the wheel was welded first then drilled out to accept the axle to make it fit (Damn it, Bubba!)? Then of course there is a split pin/cotter pin on the end as if it was holding the wheel on. It really doesn't make any sense.

Another thing that looks wonky is that the wheels (or at least one of them) are one-piece style wheels for tubeless tires, but it looks like the tire valve poking through is for an inner tube, meaning it has inner tubes installed(??). Nearly all of these vintage rear engine karts use two-piece wheels (steel or aluminum) so these were added later and judging from the tire valve, are all kinds of wrong.

The first 5 photos at this link are of a "restored" Clark Cyclops with the previously mentioned Manco or 'Thomas Manco' style wheels made of cast aluminum: https://www.oldminibikes.com/forum/index.php?media/categories/cyclops-clark.1514/
To be honest they look a whole lot nicer (cleaner castings) than the stuff you see on Manco fun karts.

Inspect all the tires for a brand name etc, they may be "vintage" or period-correct for the kart. Lots of go kart and minibike people have a kart/bike in their Man Cave with vintage tires installed (which may or may not be safe for actual riding) merely for the sake of authenticity.

You will have to do a thorough inspection to figure out what exactly you have in regard to its cosmetic and mechanical condition. For example, are the rear rims welded to the axle or not, that sort of thing.

Look for Manco style rims around the web. There's always a few on Fleabay but the asking prices are often a bit steep...

 

[Denny]

Manco aluminum wheels are very different from Clark aluminum wheels.

 

[Hellion]

Manco aluminum wheels are very different from Clark aluminum wheels.

Tell us more, don't hold back. Write us a paragraph that supports your assertion.

 

[kwhmopar]

Manco on the left, Clark on right.

 

[Denny]

Manco on the left, Clark on right.

Like I said, very different. Thanks Kevin!

 

[kwhmopar]

Manco wheels are much easier to find than Clark wheels. Clark wheels are very prone to cracking at the rim edge.

 

[Hellion]

Manco on the left, Clark on right.

Duh.

*And also Clark on the left, Clark on the right.

I already know the obvious differences in the two rims---some have the curved or dished spokes like your photo on the right but more than a few Clark karts are rocking "Manco style" rims like that on the left. To be specific, the Manco style has flat spokes with a cylindrical post (often tapped to hold a sprocket/sprocket adapter) cast into each spoke.

Can you show us both sides of the curved spoke wheel? I am also trying to determine if Manco wheels are identical to those that Clark used or if they're just a look alike wheel. I am fairly certain that Manco Mfg didn't make their own wheels, they were outsourced, so that would explain why they are seen on more than just Manco products.

Another member stated that there's a Clark logo cast into the "Manco style" rims. I'll have to ask him if he can photograph that:
https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/80s-clark.47998/post-605262

Manco style rims

 

[kwhmopar]

Backside of a Clark wheel. Similar to Manco, but only has 3 cylindrical posts, instead of 6. I have some loose wheel halves, I will get better pictures later today.