Finally found a kart...well sort of...

[jandj]

As to the HF wheels - they are designed for low speed (really low speed) use - like hand trucks, the wagons you use in the yard or garden, etc. The bearings won't last on a kart and the tires will come apart before long. There are plenty of places to get them at a reasonable price, just not dirt cheap.

 

[the..gokart..god]

i had a gokart like that wish i still had it i think we put a three wheeler engine in it long time ago.

 

[Metalbender]

thanks jandj...I'll return the wheels and look elsewhere...i appreciate the advice on them

 

[jandj]

If you want shiney wheels try smartkartparts.com A 5" w/bearings is about $22, they have decent prices on tires as well. You could call and see if they'd do a package deal.

 

[sideways]

If they would have I think I wouldn't have so much to do on it...seeings that there's only 2 of these (at least known to exist) I can't scrap it as its not in me to do that...which means I got a lot of late nights before Christmas gets here...

It will be done before you know it.

 

[Metalbender]

I started hacking on it tonight with a grinder...thankfully the welds was weak and easy to remove...the hardest thing was removing the bolt that was welded into the piece of the original steering hoop...but with a little patients it was removed and the hoop can be put back as it originally was...looking at the position of the steering wheel though its gonna get modified to a better position...I removed the front wheels and the bearings are completely gone...I had a set of wheels put back for a hot rod wagon project which I put on the front...I think the spindles are wore cause the wheels are loose on them...how do I fix that? cut the bolt off the spindle and weld on a new one?

 

[jandj]

If it was me (and I did on the Grandkids Kart) I'd get a new pair of spindles from Azusa. Reasonably priced and come in different stub lengths. If the holes in your spindle hangers are wallowed they have those as well....along with pretty much anything else you'll need.

 

[Metalbender]

I'll look into them for sure...I set the wheels on it if for nothing else than s and giggles...I'm sure the hangers are gonna be wore out as well...seems everything on it is wore out...I guess it's lived a hard life...I'm sure by the time it gets passed down through all 5 of my boys it'll be wore out again but probably not as bad since I try to keep on top of things when it comes to the kids...safety first right...JandJ thanks for all the advice I truly appreciate it! It's been years since I had a kart...well ok more like decades but who's counting...I have to admit I was rough on my karts as a kid but I don't think even my worst one was this wore out...I'll post up pics of the repaired steering hoop in a few days...I wanna reconfigure how the wheel sits on it...it's just way to low even for a small child...I figure raising it a couple of inches will make a big improvement...

 

[jandj]

Nothing is more satisfying than rescuing something from the junk heap and having it turn out all shiny and new!

 

[Metalbender]

Yea just about everything I own is junk! Put a little love into it and you end up with something that's awesome!

 

[OzFab]

the welds was weak and easy to remove...

Honestly, looking at the fab work, did you expect anything different?

looking at the position of the steering wheel though its gonna get modified to a better position...

That's fair enough, just DO IT PROPERLY

 

[Metalbender]

Don't worry...I don't carry the username I have because I make paper airplanes...LMMFAO!!! You'd be surprised at what I can do with the equipment in my little garage...I'll post up some pics soon of the progress...

 

[OzFab]

That was more of a dig at the PO than you (in case you missed it ) I have no doubt regarding your abilities...

 

[Metalbender]

Well I've got the hoop put back together just need to grind down the welds now...I removed the tie rods and the spindles...theres a little play in the bottom hole of the spindle bracket...I started looking for 3/4" spindle kits which are confusing to me... the new wheels are 3/4" instead of 5/8"...I am thinking of cutting the bolt off the spindle and welding on a new 3/4" bolt...I have noticed with spindle kits there is a nylon bushing which I am presuming goes around the bottom bolt hole of the bracket...could somebody please confirm this for me?

 

[Metalbender]

so I don't sound like a idiot BMI list the bushing I'm talking about as Part Number: AZ8215...upon a further look into it, it seems there's 4 4 of them in a spindle kit...I don't believe the spindles or brackets on this kart are wore out as there's just a little play in them...which is why I'm thinking it needs these bushings...I also wonder if there's a bushing/sleeve that I can install on the spindle to take it from 5/8" to 3/4" so the wheels fit correctly...if not I'll cut the spindle bolt off and weld on a 3/4" bolt...I just figure the sleeve would be less work...also has anybody used the tie rod kits from BMI? 3/8" is a upgrade over the 5/16" ones on this thing which the ends are absolutely trash!!! I'm sorry to ask so many noob questions...this is the first time I've had to dig this deep into a kart...not to mention all the "repairs" the PO made to it...

 

[jandj]

Azusa has spindles in both 3/4" & 5/8" axle diameter. There should be 2 nylon bushings per side, one for each hole in your hanger. 8215 is the right Azusa p/n. When you order from BMI or anyone else who is an Azusa dealer, the AZ prefix means it's an Azusa part. Go to the Azusa site, open the catalog to p.31. Pictures, part numbers, everything you need. As for a sleeve, just find a bearing that's the same as you have on the outside and 3/4" id instead of 5/8". BMI is reputable, the tie rods will be fine (may be Azusa as well).