Brakes (H&H Go Kart Brake)

[WutsHeh]

Would anyone happen to know what brand of brakes these are? I’d like to keep my same setup here, but can’t seem to find these brakes anywhere. As you can see in the pictures my pads are pretty worn so it’s time to replace. Thanks in advance!

 

[Hellion]

What kart is it out of curiosity?

 

[WutsHeh]

What kart is it out of curiosity?

I honestly couldn’t tell you, I bought it off of a buddy who had no idea about them. I’ve replaced a lot of the parts and engine on it, but kept the brakes because they were in great shape when I first got it.

 

[WutsHeh]

Here’s the kart itself if that helps

What kart is it out of curiosity?

 

[Hellion]

The kart definitely has some unusual features and I don’t mean the seat cover lol. Those pedals are thick heavy looking castings that appear as if some name or logo is cast into them. What does it read? Are there any identifying marks on the brake assembly? You might have to get under the kart or see it from diff angles.

Are there any other identifying marks on the kart? Just trying to figure out a brand or manufacturer which would/could lead to a source for brake pads.

 

[Hellion]

Furthermore, if you might take apart the brake assembly, and photograph the innards, someone here with a skilled eyeball might be able to adapt an existing brake pad (motorcycle, ATV, kart, etc) to it to make it work … if all else fails.

 

[Denny]

The kart appears to be at least a part home build. Maybe a modified single seater?
The brakes are pre Hurst/Airheat?

 

[Hellion]

The brakes are beautiful. Almost Art Deco and a little too stylish for our workmanlike karts, perhaps.
I saw an ‘H’ cast into one side, maybe more characters?

Think the grooved “wings” serve a heat dissipating function, a la cooling fins on a cylinder.

Waiting for more detailed photos.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Manufactured by Hands. https://www.ebay.com/itm/267314654282

 

[Hellion]

Ezcome, you are the GOAT. Posting the photos here for documentation before the auction listing disappears.

Seller's description:
"This part came on a vintage kavalla go kart. This brake is exceptionally hard to find. The part does have one small chunk missing out of it, but otherwise is in exceptional burnished condition."




Noticed the activating lever has "MARGAY 18-1197M" stamped into it, best I can read it. I didn't find any results on that but DuckDuck'ed a H&H brand and found something:

Buy Vintage kart racing H&H 400ME mechanical brake caliper in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, United States

Buy Vintage kart racing H&H 400ME mechanical brake caliper in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, United States

www.2040-parts.com

*H&H 400ME mechanical brake. Same brand?

 

[Sparkwizard]

Those round pucks shouldn't be too hard to find. Quite a few old riding mowers used round brake pucks in small mechanical calipers.

 

[Hellion]

Considering the rarity and apparent age of that old brake caliper, I might retire it, keep it as a memeto (it’s OLD) and install a newer caliper on the kart, if I were you @WutsHeh
It does not appear to be all that serviceable, probably requiring you to epoxy new brake pads or pucks into both sides, after you have dug them out. The pads you have now sort of look like pieces of leather.

If you can find round pads of the right diameter, you have close to a "drop-in" solution. Something like this:

4-10191 - Brake Pucks (pair)

Brake Pucks (pair)

www.mfgsupply.com

The above are the kind of pad ‘pucks’ that are used with the Thomas Manufacturing, Carlisle, Airheart or Manco 9597 mechanical brake calipers and that is probably what I would recommend. They fit a C shape bracket that needs to be welded (or bolted per the photo) to the kart frame.

 

[Hellion]

Looking closer at the OP’s photos, there is a faint second H visible. Pretty sure H&H, now Hayes is the manufacturer. Check their history page. https://www.hayesperformance.com/history

In 1946, Hayes Performance Systems began as H-H Products, a Milwaukee manufacturer of parts for outboard motors. It then transformed into an agricultural and small-engine components parts supply company. In the 1950s, Hayes began its involvement with brakes, designing the first disc brake caliper for a go-kart. By 1958, Hayes was manufacturing disc brakes exclusively.

Since Hayes’ humble beginnings in 1946, the company has grown into a multinational business with premier operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Hayes is recognized as a global braking and suspension systems supplier with core competencies of integrating components and technologies into different setups. Like any good trail, Hayes’ path has had twists and turns. Yet, you’ll see that decade after decade, the drive for innovation has never stopped.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Well done Sir.

 

[Hellion]

Our History — Mechanical Industries

Mechanical Industries opened in 1968 and through several generations of ownership, it is still operating out of it's original location in Milwaukee.

www.mech-ind.com

A snippet from the above link:

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS​

In 1948 Harold S Hollnagel founded H-H products, which was the predecessor company to Mechanical Industries. This business started out of a three car garage located at 9350 N Port Washington Road. The original operation was a general shop producing machined parts, and doing rod and tube bending. The company served almost exclusively the outboard motor industry.

H-H PRODUCTS​

In 1959, Harold S Hollnagel’s son (Harold E Hollnagel) was searching for adequate brakes to stop his go-cart. Fast forward a year and H-H Products formed a patented line of disc brakes, and Harold E joined the company full-time. One of their first customers, the Harley-Davidson Company used their brakes on it’s golf carts. After a significant effort develpoing this line of disc brakes with Harold S., Harold E was named president of H-H Products in 1967.

This company was right there during the rise of the go-kart industry.

Well done Sir.

T'was nothing compared to your big reveal.

 

[Denny]

Wonder if they are related to Hayes clutches?