Brister's Black Hawk project

[bem70]

New here and have soo many questions. I bought a old cart to restore for my grandson. I can't find any info about manufacture or model or anything. Can anyone tell me anything about this cart? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Hellion]

Looks like a Brister’s Thunder Kart “Black Hawk”. American made. Takes generic “kart parts” or whatever you can find to make it run. The frame style and the classic “D” shaped steering wheel are dead giveaways. Nice find.

Brister’s is dead now, bought out by Manco, and Manco is dead at least as a fun kart maker.

Can anyone identify this kart it’s a black hawk

I recently am rebuilding this kart it’s a black hawk kart can’t find much information on it is anyone able to Tell me what I have here much appreciated fellas and felets merry Christmas and happy New Year

www.diygokarts.com

 

[Hellion]

An overall photo is best for those who can ID on the frame geometry. Hope you have a garage to store it in, they are not weatherproof.

Edited to add: is the seat cushion intact? Since the kart isn’t rust colored I don’t think it needs “restoring” just a tidying up and a repair, etc.

 

[bem70]

That is a lot of great info. Ty very much! I will post some more pics if that helps. Im trying to find a couple of the brackets for the roll cage. Again ty

 

[panchothedog]

Welcome to the forum. You might have to fabricate them yourself, or just weld it on. Original " factory " parts dried up decades ago. You've got a great well built kart. Parts nowadays are generic and will work in a variety of situations.

 

[Hellion]

Im trying to find a couple of the brackets for the roll cage.

For a few of the earlier Brister’s karts, the “roll cage” (see link for more examples of factory karts) only covered the back with the cage over the engine but to be certain, even if it was full length front to rear, calling it a *full safety* roll cage is a stretch as they were not fully welded nor strong enough for a high speed roll over. We call them brush guards and I think many of the manufacturers referred to them as just that. For it to be a real, actually effective roll cage the kart should have 5 point seat belts that keep the driver and passenger‘s keisters in the kart seat when it is upside down….

Brister's Thunder Karts, Inc.

An info/identification thread for the Brister’s go kart line with brochures, ads, catalogs and original karts. *Not my brochure. Wish there was a photo of L-450. They started adding Honda motors as an option but do not list the horsepower ratings of the two motors. Guess the red Honda...

www.diygokarts.com

 

[Denny]

Welcome!

 

[bem70]

i just saw this pic and is almost identical to the one i just got. Only mine has a "Black Hawk" decal on floor plate. I need a end piece for one end of the brush guard. Any suggestions where i might find it?

 

[bem70]

these pics look just like the one i just bought but has "black Hawk" decal. It came with a fun power 5hp. Should I repaint or leave Original? Need a bracket for roll cage/ brush guard. Any ideas on where to find? Should I put on larger tires or keep the 5 inch? This will be my grandson's first Kart--do i need to replace band brake or even put on the brush guard?

 

[Hellion]

Should I repaint or leave Original?

Kart (from the minimal photos you have provided) looks fine as-is. It's a survivor kart and I like seeing the original decals and stuff. Concentrate on getting it running first I say.

Need a bracket for roll cage/ brush guard. Any ideas on where to find?

roll cages were kart-specific. If you can weld and fabricate or know someone who can, hit them up.

Should I put on larger tires or keep the 5 inch?

I say run it the way it is first, for the "baseline" and then larger tires can be bought if desired, and you and the grandson will see "what it's like" and how the changes effect the way it drives. If you go too large, you will need special attention to the drive system to operate the larger wheels (CVT/Torque Converter).

do i need to replace band brake or even put on the brush guard?

Only if the brake is worn out and for the latter, depends on a lot of things. How old is the grandson and is he a careful, thinking sort of child or is he, shall we say reckless and daring?

What kind of terrain will he be riding on and is there a chance of a roll-over?

Post more photos of the kart! We need more pics.

 

[Hellion]

I need a end piece for one end of the brush guard.

You might (roll the dice ) be able to find a used Brister's kart on craigslist or FB Marketplace that you can cannibalize parts from but that takes luck and a lot of patience. Maybe the roll cage from another junkyard kart (Manco, Ken-Bar, Carter, Murray, Yerf-Dog, etc) can be adapted to fit your kart....

Show us the state of the kart as it is now and one of our big brained fellas can advise on the next course of action. All I have seen is the steering wheel and the decals.

 

[bem70]

I took off brush guard. Do I need to send photo of it on the cart? Should I keep the motor? Also what clutch and chain should I use? Sorry so many questions. I have no idea what I'm doing

 

[Hellion]

Since we are not there with you, it would be good to have photos of everything you have. I had no idea you had the brush guard.

Count the teeth on your wheel sprocket and that will determine what kind of clutch to get.
Looks like it uses #35 chain (I see some chain on the floor) but verify with the included guide
Kart is one wheel drive and is ideal for what it is. Larger tires will only complicate things.
Looks like you do need a new brake band for the drum.
The Fun Power engine is an excellent engine, very reliable. Does it seem okay? The only warning sign I see is that it needs an air cleaner assembly on the carburetor.

 

[Hellion]

If the chain in the photo is a complete length and has its master link/connecting link, you might re-use it as long as still flexible and not seized from rust.

Master link looks like this:

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Your mean like these?

 

[bem70]

Sweet!! ty ty ty. That is exactly what i need

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Just make sure to get the ones sizes for the frame. Those are just random pics.
But now you know what your looking for.

Im not sure how well they compare to the ones on the kart as far as quality and robustness.

 

[bem70]

not sure on motor the guy I bought from said was not good but it isn't locked up. I have already bought a new predator to put on it. The chain is still flexible and in tact. I just wasn't sure if I should replace just to be safe. Any particular brand of clutch and brake band you recommend? Would you repaint or leave as is and just touch up spots? I'll shut up after this

 

[Grizzlymi]

I wouldn't repaint it, touch up if you wish. Give it a good cleaning. It looks like the paint is still shiny! I know it is wet in the photos, but paint looks fine.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Wrench, ride, break, repeat.
Dont worry about the paint, your not taking it to SEMA. Ride the thing.