ever seen one like this

[ajak81]

Hello all, I have a coworker that has a gokart for sale and was wondering if anyone has ever seen a margay with what looks to be some sort of roll bar? He wants 300 for it with extra rims sprockets and some other stuff. Let me know what you all think. Thanks!!!

 

[Half-breeder]

IMO... a decent price(if it runs). Id still offer 250$ due to the time it'll take to cleanup. 200$ if it don't run... then u can take the 100$ n getta HF212. But that's just me...

 

[lilg111111]

I agree with half breeder.

 

[itsid]

if it IS a margay (can't tell from the pic.. although it reminds me of an Xpert II)
the frame alone should clock in at 300.

obviously there's no engine on that kart.. so it won't run as it sits

Still.. 300 is okay.. especially if there's a second set of original margay wheels that come with it.

Adding a honda clone to a Margay is what I'd call blasphemic...
but that might be just me again.
That thing is asking for a KT100 or a parilla maybe a Briggs Raptor IYAM

'sid

 

[anderkart]

It does look like one of the older Margay models, but someone probably just added that roll bar.

Looks like Its got a factory extended front porch. That's a really cool option to have, especially for taller drivers. Its basically just a longer front bumper, so the pedals can be mounted further forward for additional leg room.

Looks like it was setup for dirt oval racing and might have led a pretty hard life...

Look the frame over closely for any damage (or past welding repairs) from wrecks.
Check the axle and front wheel bearings by giving them a spin, they should spin smoothly, quietly and not have any freeplay.
Is the axle super rusty?
Are the front spindles bent from wrecks?
Try to get a feel if the steering column and spindle bearings, (and tie rod ends) might be wore out too.
See if the brakes work, and also unscrew the master cylinder cap to see if the brake fluid/or insides are all rusty looking.
Are the tires all hard and showing signs of checking/cracking?

$300 would be a descent price if it doesn't have a bunch of problems. But if it does, you might be better off passing on this one and finding a really nice rolling racekart chassis for like $500.

 

[fourtogo]

Start at $200

 

[ajak81]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going Sunday to look at it. And will def be looking for cracks and shoddy weld repairs and any kind of bends or damage. I believe he said he has an old briggs flathead that can go with it. I'm hoping to get it for 200 as it has bn unused for some time. I will def let you all know how it goes. And post pics if I do grab it up. Thanks again everyone for your input!!!

 

[PorkChopExpress]

Good luck!

 

[jonboy]

That Kart frame looks a lot like the one in the " Cheap Wheels" thread.

 

[ajak81]

got it

Well I picked it up today for 150. No motor. Has original margay wheels, the gas tank even says margay? Everything spins and moves as it should. Hubs steering rear axle bearings all good. No cracks. No master cylinder. Did have engine mounts, and a very small neck brace that is also margay. I think I did good on this deal. What is the giant rim lol? It's super wide compared to the others.

 

[Young One With A Manco]

Someone will probably correct me here, but because they only take left turns they are always turning left. With the wider tire instead of going in a straight line it's always turning left a bit. It might be for sliding through corners as they usually drift the dirt ovals as well.

Again, there's a good chance I'm wrong here- don't take my word for it.

 

[itsid]

Nice.. great deal!

personally.. I'd say remove all the PO welded stuff and reset it to it's previous glory!
And I'm quite certain saying it is indeed an Xpert II frame you got.

to be sure, there should be a serial number in the spindlebracket;
take that and email the boys at margay.com;
they do know their karts really well (the new ones of course, but they also care much about their vintage karts )

Oh and Young one.. that's not an offset kart.. it's a straight frame,
for real kart races (not that US -I only can do circles-... nascar style stuff )
the seat's always slightly off center to allow some more room for the engine (and prevent burning your right elbow

'sid

 

[ajak81]

Serial number? 3? That's the only thing behind the spindle. And thanks for all of your help everyone!!! And itsid you are very knowledgeable!!! Thanks again.

 

[itsid]

hehe nahh not "3"

the right spindle bracket may (or may not.. depends on it's age) have a serial number stamped in,
but IIRC that was later (1982++ so sorry for misleading info earlier)
look for a plate pop riveted to the floor pan (under the seat)
If that's not there
the last option is the front side of the seat mount tab.

And if there is no serial number that still doesn't mean anything yet
(since I'm still convinvced it's a Xpert II or maybe an Xpert (I) but a Margay for sure )

but you'll have to send some pictures of your kart
(first two, sixth and eighth of post #10 for example)
to margay... technical[at]margay[dot]com

they will tell you exactly what it is.

'sid

 

[anderkart]

I agree with cid.

What is the giant rim lol? It's super wide compared to the others.

Lots of Oval racekarts use 10" wide rims on the right front and right rear

 

[ajak81]

Hey all, I messaged margay and they said it's a late 70's panther x? After looking at some pics on the net it sure does look like the panther x. I need to get the right front spindle replaced as someone welded a long bolt on it and I want it back to original. If anyone can help me out as to what spindle I need would be greatly appreciated. I saw 3 different angle spindles on the margay website but don't know what i have to begin with lol. I asked the guys at margay and am waiting to hear back about the spindle.

 

[anderkart]

The Margay shop will probably be your best source for buying spindles.

The spec sheet you'll at this link: http://www.margay.com/vintage/vintage-ads.html says the Panther X spindles were 15 degree.

 

[ajak81]

Hey everyone, I heard back from margay and they said that the spindle I need is no longer avaliable through them. They said they do have the 15 degree spindles but that I would need a spindle adapter kit. I'm just going to measure the length on the other spindle and then cut the long bolt off and weld one the correct length... for now. There is going to be a vintage kart event in quincy, illinois on september 11,12,13, which is about 2 hours away from where I live, so I'm going to go over there and look around for someone selling a set. Fingers crossed!!!

 

[anderkart]

Did you see these spindles on ebay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-go-...pt=Race_Car_Parts&hash=item4185f3116a&vxp=mtr

It looks like their bore is for 1/2" diameter king pin, that's the size you need right? (you could ask the seller to check if their bore is 3/8" or 1/2")

I'm not sure if those are 15 degree, but you could also ask the seller if they have a 10, 12 or 15 digits stamped in them. If they're not marked, they're probably 15 degree like you need...

Quote from the Margay vintage spindle page:
Spindles should have a 10, 12 or 15 stamped on the end of the control arm. If there is no number, the spindle is 15 degrees. If your kart has a gusset on the lower steering support with 3 quarter-sized holes in it, the correct KPI angle should be stamped there as well. Again, if there is no number, it is a 15 degree kart and requires 15 degree spindles.

Virtually all karts built prior to 1980 were 15 degree KPI karts. Those karts originally utilized 15 degree spindles featuring a 1/2" diameter kingpin. These 15 degree spindles can be adapted for use with those older karts by utilizing a 'Spindle Adapter Kit'.

 

[ajak81]

So i picked up those exact spindles off of eBay and... there a Lil different than what I'm taking off the kart. The ones on the kart are shorter at the kingpin area and had spacers in it. (See pics). The ones I got from eBay are tall enough that they fit without any spacers but will be metal on metal contact. Which is correct? Any insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Upon further cleaning and inspection it appears the p.o. cut some off to it. (Added pic)