chris_the_poser
Member
That was quick.
Barn Find - Help Identifying?
- Thread starter jeff___H
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chris_the_poser
Member
Lol yeah sure he did shipping and all.
Hey....he's a nice guy
Ozan-fox
New member
If you want to keep the vintage patina, just scuff it and clear it. People do it to old cars all the time and it looks l pretty cool.
ruppkart
New member
For those interested...The Kart is in the process of a complete restoration It has been stripped and is soon to be painted, new decals have been obtained, wheels are being reconditioned, and all original hard ware is being cleaned and buffed, a "second" seat is being reproduced, new tires "slicks" have been ordered....... pictures of the final project will be posted. I reached out to some other collectors of Simplex's , including Tom Thorin, and it was identified as an early 1960 Mark IV Simplex Challenger ( twin motors, duel brakes ). The biggest obstacle will be locating the correct 4 tap Tank which was mounted on the seat, now missing. Their were two types of tanks 4 & 3 tab , 4 is the earlier. It was probably equipped with either twin 580 or 700 West Bend engines since Clintons had integral tanks mounted to them and their was evidence of the seat back tank being mounted at one time. ALL the karts were drilled for tanks regardless if they were equipped or not. Until a tank can be located she will sport twin West Bend engine's with the optional top mounted tanks.
All in all she was pretty complete, and untouched, their were no signs of frame fatigue , re-welds or cracks...or damage of any kind. There was some surface rusting in areas but that will be taken care of. Not bad for a 52 year old kart .. left to the elements.
I will keep the Briggs motor that was bolted to the rear frame complete with the mower deck of the "power reel mover" it came off of for prosperity...and as a reminder if some peoples ingenuity.
I hope to have her reassembled by the end of next week .. or the following week.
So if any one has a lead on a Simplex 4 mounting tab tank .. complete and usable please contact me to help out with her re-birth !!! Be well all.
All in all she was pretty complete, and untouched, their were no signs of frame fatigue , re-welds or cracks...or damage of any kind. There was some surface rusting in areas but that will be taken care of. Not bad for a 52 year old kart .. left to the elements.
I will keep the Briggs motor that was bolted to the rear frame complete with the mower deck of the "power reel mover" it came off of for prosperity...and as a reminder if some peoples ingenuity.
I hope to have her reassembled by the end of next week .. or the following week.
So if any one has a lead on a Simplex 4 mounting tab tank .. complete and usable please contact me to help out with her re-birth !!! Be well all.
This is a build LOG. You cannot just show us completed pics. We want to see the inbetween stages too.
Don't leave us hanging.....
I agree,
I'd like to see what you do too.
Maybe there's something to learn from the process, don't want to miss that
... or I just like pictures
'sid
I'd like to see what you do too.
Maybe there's something to learn from the process, don't want to miss that
... or I just like pictures
'sid
ruppkart
New member
Pictures of the restoration process will be posted soon.. please bare with me. but I'm sure you will see nothing that none of you don't already know or can do. There was "No" modification or changes made .. just remove, re-condition and re install. I was able to save 98% of the entire kart., secure a new decal package ,and what was missing replace with original parts. Be well all !
Attachments
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ruppkart
New member
To begin with the kart was re photographed and notes made pertaining to what was painted and what was not...and color also .. direction of fasteners and placement. A HD wire wheel and spray Carb cleaner ( works great removing paint in corners ) was used to strip down the frame to bare metal. A bench wire wheel was used to clean and buff up the small parts.
This kart had not been monkeyed with or dis-assembled since it was made.... there was still evidence of original factory paper parts labels and green phosphate primer on some of the parts. It was a shame it was so badly weathered..it could have been shown as a survivor.
This kart had not been monkeyed with or dis-assembled since it was made.... there was still evidence of original factory paper parts labels and green phosphate primer on some of the parts. It was a shame it was so badly weathered..it could have been shown as a survivor.
ruppkart
New member
Compleated Simplex project
I have up loaded photos of the completed restoration in my album...having trouble attaching them to the posts directly.
My apologies .. if this in inconvenient.
As you will see it was an extensive restoration, requiring hunting down a number of original parts .. but in the end it was all worth it.
Now its back to the Rupp Chaparral...the parts just recently were picked up at the chrome plating shop.
If anyone has any questions on the restoration I will only be happy to answer them...but it was simple and basic .. a heavy duty hand held wire wheel to remove the old paint and rust.. spray carb cleaner to dissolve that tough paint in cracks and crevices. Using a bench grinder with wire wheel buff and polish the small parts, nuts bolts springs etc.. I use Rolite Metal polish to shine them up. Stripped , cleaned and repainted the alloy wheels { Dupli Color Cast Aluminum }...it was all basic stuff.. remove, inspect recondition. .. and replace if bad... but their you need contacts when it comes to vintage Kart parts.. and a Simplex is a tough one. Go to my album and check her out . Be well all !! ... and safe Karting.
I have up loaded photos of the completed restoration in my album...having trouble attaching them to the posts directly.
My apologies .. if this in inconvenient.
As you will see it was an extensive restoration, requiring hunting down a number of original parts .. but in the end it was all worth it.
Now its back to the Rupp Chaparral...the parts just recently were picked up at the chrome plating shop.
If anyone has any questions on the restoration I will only be happy to answer them...but it was simple and basic .. a heavy duty hand held wire wheel to remove the old paint and rust.. spray carb cleaner to dissolve that tough paint in cracks and crevices. Using a bench grinder with wire wheel buff and polish the small parts, nuts bolts springs etc.. I use Rolite Metal polish to shine them up. Stripped , cleaned and repainted the alloy wheels { Dupli Color Cast Aluminum }...it was all basic stuff.. remove, inspect recondition. .. and replace if bad... but their you need contacts when it comes to vintage Kart parts.. and a Simplex is a tough one. Go to my album and check her out . Be well all !! ... and safe Karting.
mckutzy
Well-known member
I dont know what or where your album is by why not just post a pic right here?
edit, I see your having problem posting but still from where?
edit, I see your having problem posting but still from where?
icebox187
New member
icebox187
New member
I think that might have been what you were trying to do, but if you didn't want the pics here just let me know and I'll delete the post.
Dang that is nice!!!! Well done!
firemanjim
Just kartin' around....
HOLY $H¡£!!!! That is F'ing AMAZING! You do VERY EXCELLENT work/refurbs.....Ive sat n stared so long I am now late for work! Helluva job..........
You know you are now going to have to go and ride it....and that it is going to get scratched.
ruppkart
New member
Thank you icebox187 .. and Thank You All !!! still can't figure out what I'm doing wrong and navigating around this site.. computers are not my thing.... anyway
To all who took the time so far to look her over.. THANK you for the positive comments..it was a labor of LV. My other carts in my Forum album were just as bad. Sorry for the confusion .. figured you knew what album I meant ..the progression pictures are posted their as well in the Forum Album on my personal page .... believe it or not .. the seat took the longest .. the kart minus the seat was pretty much completed within 3 weeks of obtaining it. I work fast. Their were some minor problems getting the motors mounted... Simplex Karts had a un standard off set and the mounts were special and using original motor's with 9/16 shafts that have NO adjustment to align the chain caused a BIG problem .. could not acquire any so I had to go with original West Bend two piece mounts...which were optional on this kart...but difficult to find also..my good friend Frank Moore hooked me up.. he also rebuilt and restored two original west Bend Go Kart engines I had. Other Tech advice came from Tom Thorin who is Simplex expert.. his dad owned the dealer ship. A word to the wise if anyone ever decides to take the Simplex plunge if the come across one... IF it is not complete...be prepared to spend a lot of money...wheels and tanks go for $$$$$ 100's of dollars .. and good usable condition is hard to obtain. The wheels are the hardest esp the rear.. which run on a splined axle. All wheels are usually found beat to hell and chipped up. Tanks are as rare as hens teeth.. and go for $300 - $500 ...and are found rusted up inside.
As I said.. the progression pictures are in my personal page album on the forum....Please take a look .. and if anyone wants to transfer and post some over to the thread here be my guest icebox 187 helped me out it out again Thanks .. now all I need to ....I can restore a kart but cant post pictures.. go figure LOL. There are some other pictures of my restored karts their also. Enjoy !!
To all who took the time so far to look her over.. THANK you for the positive comments..it was a labor of LV. My other carts in my Forum album were just as bad. Sorry for the confusion .. figured you knew what album I meant ..the progression pictures are posted their as well in the Forum Album on my personal page .... believe it or not .. the seat took the longest .. the kart minus the seat was pretty much completed within 3 weeks of obtaining it. I work fast. Their were some minor problems getting the motors mounted... Simplex Karts had a un standard off set and the mounts were special and using original motor's with 9/16 shafts that have NO adjustment to align the chain caused a BIG problem .. could not acquire any so I had to go with original West Bend two piece mounts...which were optional on this kart...but difficult to find also..my good friend Frank Moore hooked me up.. he also rebuilt and restored two original west Bend Go Kart engines I had. Other Tech advice came from Tom Thorin who is Simplex expert.. his dad owned the dealer ship. A word to the wise if anyone ever decides to take the Simplex plunge if the come across one... IF it is not complete...be prepared to spend a lot of money...wheels and tanks go for $$$$$ 100's of dollars .. and good usable condition is hard to obtain. The wheels are the hardest esp the rear.. which run on a splined axle. All wheels are usually found beat to hell and chipped up. Tanks are as rare as hens teeth.. and go for $300 - $500 ...and are found rusted up inside.
As I said.. the progression pictures are in my personal page album on the forum....Please take a look .. and if anyone wants to transfer and post some over to the thread here be my guest icebox 187 helped me out it out again Thanks .. now all I need to ....I can restore a kart but cant post pictures.. go figure LOL. There are some other pictures of my restored karts their also. Enjoy !!
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