Clark Cyclops 440 Seat

[Ken White]

Two Quick Questions: Does anyone know where to find a seat cover for a Clark Cyclops 440? Or how to get paint safely off such a cover?

See, I bought what looks to be an entirely intact and running 440 a few months ago for $250.* Thing is, the previous owner had purchased the kart a year earlier for his then 10 year-old daughter, who, when given the surprise, screamed that she absolutely loved it but would love it even more if the seat were pink. Being the good dad that he is, the man immediately slathered it with pink paint. Very pink paint. Good thing he hadn't given her a pony instead.

Anyway, I'd like to get the seat back to its original white with black lettering. So, any ideas on how I could remove the paint? Or does anyone have this particular seat cover that they'd like to sell? I'm new to DIY Go Karts and I'm not sure how to go about things yet. I hope it's okay to just come out and ask like this. Thanks--Ken White

*Is that a good buy? $250 for a complete and running Clark Cyclops 440? I know camera gear, not karts.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Lacquer thinner might do it and shouldn't hurt the original finish but might take it down to bare vinyl. In the paint dept at Home Depot, you can get Goof-off which is good for removing almost anything. You could also try paint removers but I would check the label very carefully and test in a small inconspicuous area first.

No matter what- you may find out you can't get it completely white again. The paint section of auto supply stores should have secialty paint for vinyl....

Please fill out your profile so we know where you are.

 

[Ken White]

Thank you kindly for the response. I'm gonna try those ideas. I have nothing against the color pink, but this thing looks like an ad for Pepto Bismol or Owens Corning. Turns out that it's a little too small for me to drive comfortably anyway, so my two sons will end up sharing it. Even so, I want it to look as original as possible.

In the meantime, I went out and found a very long kart for 100 dollars that I can easily fit onto. Not only is it very long, it's incredibly long. Michener novels are shorter than this thing. My plan is to turn it into some sort of rideable, maybe even raceable, species
of kart over the winter. I'd include photos here but I have no idea how to upload them.

As for my profile, I'll do it soon. Basically, I live in Easton, PA and am a long-time photographer and short-time playwright (I wrote my first play last year). And now I'm getting into karts. Good thing, too. My wife says if I buy one more kart she's divorcing me and taking my car in the process. I'm gonna need a kart to get around. Thanks again for the ideas.

 

[OzFab]

Michener novels are shorter than this thing.

I'd include photos here but I have no idea how to upload them.

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=735

Good thing, too. My wife says if I buy one more kart she's divorcing me and taking my car in the process.

Are you sure that's a good thing

 

[Poboy kartman]

Now that's funny right there. .....

A camera guy that can't post pictures. .....You can't make this stuff up.

We love pictures. .....looking forward to yours!

 

[Orange Krate]

Welcome fellow writer! Your Cyclops is almost the exact same frame as my General He's in need of a seat cover too and I’ve not been successful in finding one. I figured I’d just find someone with a complete kart and ask them if I could reverse engineer theirs…looks like I just did

$250? Great price for a complete kart! I’ve put pen to paper this year and my 9 karts have averaged a little over $300…and they’re not so complete…yet!

Btw, I’m working on my own series called Go-Kart Alley. How’s about you posting a little spec script so we can see your chops?