Dusting off my old Black Fox LXT

[OTR1492]

36 year old dad from South Carolina here. Recently raided my parents storage building for my old black fox. Probably 25 years old? Last drove it five years ago. Brought it back to my house to hopefully get it cleaned up for my own kids to have fun with.

I am a tax accountant and far from a mechanic (I can change my riding mower oil and that’s about it). Can you all help me identify things I need to think about with this old fox? What do I need to do to make this thing safe?

It started up after a few tries with fresh gas and starter fluid. It has no seat belts…I must have taken them off when I was a kid? Who knows. Also seems to give some pretty aggressive vibrations when I accelerate (don’t remember it doing that). Otherwise, zipped around the house fine.

 

[Hellion]

Good to see that it has the belt/chain and axle enclosures intact. For ultimate safety teach your children well. Barring that and rowdy, carefree/careless driving as youngsters are wont to do, I would invest in seat belts of the 5 point harness type and helmets.

I think you can enclose the driver/passenger compartment with NASCAR style web netting, that would be cool to keep the arms inside as the tendency is to put your hand out in an attempt to break your fall or roll. That's bad news with a heavy go kart and usually means a broken arm or worse.

EDIT: wait'll the boys hear that a Tecumseh OHV engine started right up after a long hibernation.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Thats the most complete and clean 25 year old barn find I've ever seen.

Lift it up and spin the tires and see if they spin freely. Could have some rusty wheel bearings causing vibrations. The chain could also use a fresh lube. Again maybe binding.

 

[Hellion]

What he said. Lube what needs lubrication. You can undo the chain at the master link and "work" the chain at each link until it frees up, for example. There might be a few stiff links here and there after sitting for so long.

You could install a new safety flag behind the headrest in its empty bracket--every little bit helps, including a bright safety "I'm here" flag.

The hand strap at the green arrow goes over the seat and installs with a clevis pin at the blue arrow with a split pin retainer inserted on the end. Gives a decent center handhold for driver and passenger.

https://landmaster-assets.american-landmaster.workers.dev/uploads/manuals/Fun-Kart/485486_operatorsmanual_4852548526485241485291486252486352486452.pdf

What is the model number listed on the silver tag in front of the seat cushion?

 

[OTR1492]

You all have already been very helpful. Thank you! If you have state tax questions, I’m your guy. Mechanical things, not so much!

The kart was always kept in my parents storage shed as a kid, so that’s probably why it’s in decent shape. I suppose my dad could have cranked it up every now and then, but he hasn’t ever mentioned anything about it. Tires were replaced about five years ago for when cousins came to town and drove it one weekendGas tank was completely dry when I got ahold of it. Put non ethanol in and used some starter fluid.

In addition to the vibration on acceleration, steering also seems really stiff compared to what I remember?

Model tag below. What does this tell me?

 

[panchothedog]

As an adult you are probably much more critical and sensitive to steering and vibration issues then you were as a 10 year old. They all vibrate to some degree, even when everything is working fine. Your picture looks like the front tires are way out of alignment. Adjust them so they are a tiny bit toe in.

 

[Denny]

Cool kart! Oil, grease and just plain old riding it along with basic maintenance will go a long way to reviving that kart. Pull off the clutch cover and check the belt and clutches for wear and rust. Only Use Genuine Comet Belts!!! The rest are junk! Rotary are ok too.