Addicted in Vermont

[VT_Kart]

Hey all, just got started in this new adventure this year. I’ve always loved things with motors and wheels but never really had them as a kid, and now that I’m a 40 year old kid I’m learning I can do what I want. So it started with what turned out to be a modified Manco Dingo and then I found a really nice Carter Bros. Both are very different with the Dingo having full independent suspension and the Carter being static. The Dingo was in rough shape and has some good pics of the progress. Happy to start a thread on that thing! I think you’d get a chuckle. Anyways, looking forward to the knowledge and resources here. Happy trails.

 

[Hellion]

That is a wild rear suspension arrangement. Reminds me of the early Beetles but definitely very modified with those U-joints. There’s a fine line between a simple go kart and a buggy-ATV but don’t discount the joy of the rigid frame karts.

Love the Sharpie on cardboard ‘grocery list’. That means you’re serious

 

[Hellion]

Where’s the Carter kart?

Start threads for both karts (separately is probably better) if ya want, in the Photo Gallery & Project Log subforum and post lots of photos. The “Dingo” looks finished to me though.

We’re similarly addicted to karts and minibikes and everything in between here and it’s fun to see what other people drag home.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

That looks like a home made rear suspension job.
Its fairly well done though.

 

[VT_Kart]

That is a wild rear suspension arrangement. Reminds me of the early Beetles but definitely very modified with those U-joints. There’s a fine line between a simple go kart and a buggy-ATV but don’t discount the joy of the rigid frame karts.

Love the Sharpie on cardboard ‘grocery list’. That means you’re serious

Thank you! I discovered more than I could remember so the list became a must. And yeah this thing certainly has its own approach and definition to what a kart is at this point. Honest question, what are the thoughts and opinions about the changes to it? Does the change from swing arm to IRS take this out of the definition of go kart? Or just a different class? I’d really like to hear the thoughts there as I’m too new to have any real opinions!

 

[VT_Kart]

Where’s the Carter kart?

Start threads for both karts (separately is probably better) if ya want, in the Photo Gallery & Project Log subforum and post lots of photos. The “Dingo” looks finished to me though.

We’re similarly addicted to karts and minibikes and everything in between here and it’s fun to see what other people drag home.

Project Mango (Manco + Dingo) is now in the projects thread! It is, for all intents and purposes, finished as it runs and drives and stops well. I love it. The Carter has a severe lack of photos but I’ve got a couple to put up! There’s also a very dead Odyssey in the mix but that’s a sad story with no pics yet.

 

[VT_Kart]

That looks like a home made rear suspension job.
Its fairly well done though.

Yeah, it’s interesting and stout. I wish I knew the back story/person who did the work. I’ll bet they had some other creations as this is not someone’s first dive into fab work. Or if it is then they deserve a prize for sure.

 

[Hellion]

Does the change from swing arm to IRS take this out of the definition of go kart? Or just a different class?

I don’t know, I think we struggle with the definition ourselves and the sort of gray area that arises. We get a ton of newbies with a current-era “go kart” and those are fully suspended, fully caged deals from China and most have headlights, tail lights, turn signals, a horn, rear view mirrors, forward, neutral, reverse, a dashboard with gauges, key start, wiring out the wazoo and it’s beyond the lovely simple, less-is-more approach of the classic go kart. And these “karts” are always broken with a no-spark/no-start issue.

You get yourself boxed in and need to back up or turn around? Get out of the kart, either lift the rear end up and swing it around, or just turn the wheel and push it backwards & go on your merry way. The fact that you can lift it up or muscle it around yourself probably means it is a go kart.

 

[VT_Kart]

I don’t know, I think we struggle with the definition ourselves and the sort of gray area that arises. We get a ton of newbies with a current-era “go kart” and those are fully suspended, fully caged deals from China and most have headlights, tail lights, turn signals, a horn, rear view mirrors, forward, neutral, reverse, a dashboard with gauges, key start, wiring out the wazoo and it’s beyond the lovely simple, less-is-more approach of the classic go kart. And these “karts” are always broken with a no-spark/no-start issue.

You get yourself boxed in and need to back up or turn around? Get out of the kart, either lift the rear end up and swing it around, or just turn the wheel and push it backwards & go on your merry way. The fact that you can lift it up or muscle it around yourself probably means it is a go kart.

 

[VT_Kart]

Cool, I appreciate the insight. I get that tech has advanced enough that a basic “kart” these days is basically a diet SxS. I really do wonder who buys those 4000 dollar trail master go karts. Rich people with no interest in the process who can buy their kids whatever? They hold 0 appeal to me. If I wanted that much tech and capability I’d just buy a real SxS. I do love this thing for what it is, but accept it’s in a different “class” so to speak.

 

[Denny]

Welcome! Your off to a good start.

 

[VT_Kart]

Welcome! Your off to a good start.

Thanks! I dove in blind but it has totally worth it, these things are so much fun.

 

[Wicked_Daddy]

Newbie to newbie... welcome!

 

[Grizzlymi]

You'll need to build a second garage or pole barn with all the motorized madness and toys you will acquire. This is the perfect home for you now with all us crazy adult kids building our childhood dreams! Lol

 

[VT_Kart]

You'll need to build a second garage or pole barn with all the motorized madness and toys you will acquire. This is the perfect home for you now with all us crazy adult kids building our childhood dreams! Lol

Oh man, 8 things with 4 wheels and counting! Such an easy thing to fall in to. Nothing takes up that much space or costs that much independently but add it all together and suddenly it seems like a lot! I guess the trick is just ignore the last part

 

[Hellion]

Got to say, this thread title raises eyebrows when you see it in the listings

 

[VT_Kart]

Got to say, this thread title raises eyebrows when you see it in the listings

I guess I didn't specify what the addiction was hey Siri how do you delete a post?