BKS Bob's Kart Shop "Budget Racer"? Looking for Info.

[Steveg101]

Hey y'all, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name's Steven, I'm 19, and I just picked up my first live axle kart. I ended up getting it for $300 for the small work that needed to be done to it (snapped fuel petcock, warped sprocket, etc), but looking it over, it seems to be something a bit more interesting than just another kart. From the small amount of research I've done, it seems to be a BKS "Budget Racer"? out of Wedron, Illinois. I'm assuming the original motor was a 5HP Briggs, but it currently has a Tecumseh HM80. I was wondering if anyone had any more information/details on what I have here, the history of Bob's Kart Shop, etc, and if it would be worth it to try to restore to original condition, or if I should just buy a replacement motor, like a Predator or Tillotson after I'm done with the HM80. Thank you in advance, and I hope to become very active in the karting community

 

[landuse]

I am no expert on kart id'ing, but be sure that someone will be by shortly that is.

 

[BKSKarts]

Do you still have it??

 

[BKSKarts]

 

[Doks]

Got one of those!

 

[BKSKarts]

Got one of those!

Nice Grasshopper

 

[BKSKarts]

Got one of those!

If you ever plan on letting it go let me know

 

[Functional Artist]

Yup, nice Grasshoppers
...but, they seem to be totally different than the OP's kart

 

[Doks]

If you ever plan on letting it go let me know

My children love it, I recreated the logo, and we are making 3/4” structural steel tubing for the side crash bars.

 

[BKSKarts]

Yup, nice Grasshoppers
...but, they seem to be totally different than the OP's kart

That's because OP's kart isn't made by BKS and it's not a Grasshopper. It's called an Invader made by Jeff Nelson. He's been building karts since the 70s in San Jose, CA and I'm pretty sure they're still in business.

 

[Hellion]

Not sure if this thread qualifies as a "crazy craigslist find" because it lacks the crazy quotient. It is my bet that the OP would have had more thread response and discovery in the main Go Kart forum where it belongs, but that's his loss.

The OP's kart has some kind of label on it in front of the seat and it faintly reads BKS as best I can tell but is it the kart's ID or just a dealer tag from the dealer who sold it?

That's because OP's kart isn't made by BKS and it's not a Grasshopper. It's called an Invader made by Jeff Nelson. He's been building karts since the 70s in San Jose, CA and I'm pretty sure they're still in business.

And yet you were the main de-railer and hijacker of this thread, polluting it with your own stuff but you chastise the guy trying to steer the thread back on-topic? Nice.

 

[prncsb95]

Hey y'all, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name's Steven, I'm 19, and I just picked up my first live axle kart. I ended up getting it for $300 for the small work that needed to be done to it (snapped fuel petcock, warped sprocket, etc), but looking it over, it seems to be something a bit more interesting than just another kart. From the small amount of research I've done, it seems to be a BKS "Budget Racer"? out of Wedron, Illinois. I'm assuming the original motor was a 5HP Briggs, but it currently has a Tecumseh HM80. I was wondering if anyone had any more information/details on what I have here, the history of Bob's Kart Shop, etc, and if it would be worth it to try to restore to original condition, or if I should just buy a replacement motor, like a Predator or Tillotson after I'm done with the HM80. Thank you in advance, and I hope to become very active in the karting community

Hello,

This does look like one of the karts that was built BY BKS. Most likely my father had a hand in building it. I'm Bob's granddaughter and daughter of his oldest child. They manufactured karts for many years, originally out of Wedron, IL, then out of Norway/Sheridan where they built a track from the ground up that is now owned by Concept Haulers Motor Speedway. When it was owned by my grandparents it was BKS (Bob's Kart Shop). I'd be happy to talk to my dad about this kart if you are still in possession!

 

[Hellion]

Hello,

This does look like one of the karts that was built BY BKS. Most likely my father had a hand in building it. I'm Bob's granddaughter and daughter of his oldest child. They manufactured karts for many years, originally out of Wedron, IL, then out of Norway/Sheridan where they built a track from the ground up that is now owned by Concept Haulers Motor Speedway. When it was owned by my grandparents it was BKS (Bob's Kart Shop). I'd be happy to talk to my dad about this kart if you are still in possession!

Welcome to DIYGK.

I think the whole forum would love a BKS thread telling the history of the outfit, the karts, the people involved and/or anything you can tell us.
We know so little about manufacturers that existed before the advent of the information superhighway, and/or those whose existence coincided with the internet, it's just that sometimes info is scarce either way you look at it.

You can start a thread in Go Kart Discussion if you like.

 

[Denny]

I’d surely be interested in hearing the story!

 

[gokartdave]

Nice Grasshopper

If you ever plan on letting it go let me know

So can you tell me if this is a grasshopper ? If so why is the front bent like that? No cracks ,everything level elsewhere.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

I don't know if you'll get an answer from bks.
I don't know what frame that is but you have a nice start. The rear axle and driven unit need alot of love.
The front is probably bent from hitting something. I wouldn't worry about it.
Slap an engine on there and ride.

 

[gokartdave]

Kinda figured that but what really strange is the guys at junkyard diggs have 1 that looks the same. Caught it on video an paused for a pic.

 

[Denny]

I think you have a Ground Hawg by BKS. But the side bars have me confused. Maybe add ons?

 

[gokartdave]

Well it's kinda hard to see it on that pic. But the connections are already welded on that kart in the pic. Their just missing.

 

[Denny]

I still think it’s a Ground Hawg.