Bird Engineering kart. I could use some help and advice.

[Speedbob712]

Im mostly a lurker still but i think i want to get this one going. This will be my third kart ive built this last year and from what i can find this one is kinda rare.
I believe threw researching, this one is a 1970-71 Bird Engineering kart. Its missing a few parts as well.

So this is how i found it. Poor thing..

The kart has a rear diff that i belive has gears inside it.
The handle bar is interesting to me. It came with a tecumseh 8hp tecumseh mh80 155205f motor that the guy said was original and the rims are as well. The previous years the Bird karts had skinny tall rims that made them look like a dragster. Pretty cool. This one the gent said was in his family it whole life. Gis brother took it apart 20 something years ago and now its mine.. In the same state of course :/

 

[chancer]

Cool Kart.
Will you consider Doing a build thread and sharing the Build Here.
We just started a Build off Contest, Maybe you can enter there too.

Welcome to the Forum Party

 

[Speedbob712]

So im a big fan of using hondas and clones on our mini bikes and karts because they are simple and reliable. Not this time. The Tecumseh gas sat outside in a lean to for all these years. Cord is broken. Handle missing and no spark. She turns over if i spin the comet driver clutch. After i got her up on the desk and layed her on her final resting spot for a bit i started on the motor. Im going to save this engine! I started by taking off the cover and tins. Then the carb. It took me about an hour digging out all the creepy crawlies and wasp nests from under that tin. She is looking pretty good for being forgotten all these years. Here is as far as i got tonight.hopefully i can get spark tomorrow.

 

[Speedbob712]

Yea. I would love to enter.

 

[chancer]

Yea. I would love to enter.

Sweet!
Then give this a look:
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=32721
Rules Etc. nothing Special. Instructions, and Where to post a new Build thread!

 

[landuse]

Yea. I would love to enter.

Awesome. You have a sweet looking kart, so why not enter while you are doing your build. You were going to be building it anyway

 

[itsid]

the skinny front wheels are original for a Bird Baja.

these two for example are all original (less than optimal condition though)

'sid

 

[Speedbob712]

I just looked at the build off page. ****, some of you are going all out. Ilove that but this is really not a build, its a restore so ill stay here. My time is very limited so...
Im just happy to find it and share the process.
My youngest is about to graduate and prom is today but i managed to get a bit of work done..

Ive got spark. The points were not opening. I have confidence that she will run now. Ill get some pics later

 

[Speedbob712]

Its been a few days but i got some work in on the Tecumseh 8hp. I woukdnt normally put this much time into a motor but this is original to the kart so i had to save it. Removed all the old paint and resprayed it. Found one of the shields was chrome when removing the paint so i shined it up, then decided that was not enough so i polished up the starter cover after i rewound a new cord and got that all cleaned up. Topped it off with a handful of stainless screws. Nothing is tight yet as i have to wait a few days for the paint to cure fully.
Anyhow.. Thats where i am at with it so far....

I would really like some different opinions on paint colors. I have been thinking red frame with white wheels but i may be just thinking in that direction because most buggy karts are red..
I will be adding some diamond plate here and there as i have some left over from my cherokee. Why not..

 

[chancer]

Nice work the engine is looking good.
Just my 2cents. I do not like a red cart with white wheels.
But I have no suggestion either. LOL

 

[Speedbob712]

Probably have the wheels powder coated as soon as i figure out a good color.
Ive got to order some parts up. Does anybody have any pictures of the drive system on Bird Engineering karts. Im missing the jackshaft. It is forward of the motor. The torque converter connects to it and i dont know if a ebay one, the parts will work as i dont know if the belt is the same size. If you understand my foreign language on explaining it lol.

---------- Post added at 11:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 AM ----------

I would enter the buildoff but i dont want to rewrite what ive already done.

 

[Hellion]

[/COLOR]I would enter the buildoff but i dont want to rewrite what ive already done.

That's easy--just copy/paste from here. But still a modicum of effort to undertake.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Guys....that's what moderators are for...they can merge threads...they're Golden Gods....they are the only force in the Universe that can slow the Poboy down with bans!

 

[chancer]

Guys....that's what moderators are for...they can merge threads...they're Golden Gods....they are the only force in the Universe that can slow the Poboy down with bans!

Moderators are Just Golden calves. An "Administrator" Now that will STOP you.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Moderators are Just Golden calves. An "Administrator" Now that will STOP you.

But Robert loves me!!!

 

[Speedbob712]

I love everything about this site.
Your not special jk

And on a side note. I spent a night on the buildoff page and with all the very well thought out and fantastic builds im scared and just over here with my little kart giving all you "Bird"

 

[chancer]

Be Afraid... Be very Afraid!

 

[Poboy kartman]

Bird is a four letter word around here!

 

[Speedbob712]

Haha..
Ok i met a guy today that was looking for a project to do with his two boys and when he seen the kart he wanted to buy it. I sold it to him really cheep because I raised my kids to wrench on mini bikes and karts. So this one is gone but went to a good guy and his oldest was so exited that his dad and him were going to build it.

I kept the motor and its a perfect fit in my unrestored bonanza mini bike. Ill start that one up over in the mini section.
Thanks for following along but i felt i just got two more kids off the game consoles and out in the garage as a family should be.

 

[Poboy kartman]

That's awesome! I would have done the same!