First time Kart owner, Ontario, Canada

[MCPDC]

Hello all
Just jumped into karting last Friday after purchasing 2 commercial karts that were (supposedly) part of the fleet of a local (legendary) kart facility named Family Kartways in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. Some of you may recognize the name, have worked there in the past or have fond memories of the park, others may recognize the name as it was, at one point in time, North America's longest kart track... so sad that it sold to developers who built a pile of cookie-cutter houses...

Anyway, being a complete noob to this, but with some small engine skills and creativity, I need guidance, suggestions etc., just to get these things operational. I will try to attach some pics to this post so that everyone can see.

My goals are as follows:

1.) Build two running operating karts, one for my 9 years old daughter and one for myself to use...

2.)...on a dirt track that I have to layout on our back few acres of property. These will be used primarily as off road (I dare to say "redneck") karts

3.) Become very familiar with how these and other karts operate so when I decide to build a modified kart I will have the knowledge and ability to do so

4.) Learn welding and other fabrications skills (which I will develop as these karts will be punished I am sure)

What I got:
Two frames, square tube, both with steering, hubs, brakes, motor mounts, pedals intact. One frame has wheels and motor mounted, the other has no wheels or motor mounted (the motor for this one is the seized 5.3 mentioned earlier). Currently there is one seat that came with the intact cart.

I have no idea what type of frames these are, hubs, axles, clutches, etc. that I have so if anyone can help with this I would greatly appreciate it. They seem somewhat generic but heavy as hell.

So, to start with, I will ask if any of the members can help me identify what I have acquired based on the photos and description I have provided. As well, if someone could provide me with a somewhat local parts dealer (I am near Oshawa, Ontario) or reputable place to order from online, I would greatly appreciate it. If anyone has any recommendations as to where I should start I am all ears (I know that I already have one belt to replace and cannot seem to find where the best location is to disassemble the axle to do this).

Cheers,

Mike

 

[landuse]

You have scored 2 nice carts there. It looks like you have a reduction box which includes a wet clutch inside. If I were to guess, it is a 2:1 reduction. I have 2 of those myself, and they are practically indestructible. I have included a few pics for you to see what is inside there.

I am not too sure where you could buy parts, but I know Toystory4wd, who lives in Ontario as well, always mentions Princes Auto, so you could maybe start there

Post some close-up pics of how the axle is attached to the kart, and we can help you disassemble it.

 

[MCPDC]

Thanks land use, I have cracked the one already and it looks just like that, but not as sparkly (the case had some thin liquid (water and oil) in it, as did the engine (without the oil, just a trickle of water, LOL) that was attached .

Thanks. Will contact Toystory4wd and see about that. I have a Princess Auto 20minutes from here. I will post some pics a bit later after I clean out the garage and get things in order.

 

[landuse]

If it was me, I would reuse the reduction box again. It had a very good clutch, and is all protected in the casing. They generally dont give many problems either.

Here is the other one that I have. It is on a GX140

 

[MCPDC]

Changing the belt

I went ahead and started degreasing my second kart, the one without the engine or wheels. I took photos (as suggested by land use) so that I could get some guidance on the removal of the rear axle to change the belt... but I could not resist and starting taking apart the rear axle anyway. I started by taking the outer spindle off on the left (brake) side and loosened (eventually removed) all of the set screws that appeared to hold the axle in place as well as remove all of the keyways which were well rusted in the axle slot. I went on to remove the retainers for the axle (three bolts on each outer end of the axle) when it appeared that the axle did not want to slide out. Should the axle slide out through the bearings or not? I will attach the pics in the next couple of posts if necessary.

 

[MCPDC]

just a few more pics...

Just a few more pics of the axle, now slightly more disassembled...

 

[landuse]

I am not too sure how you would get that axle out of the bearing except say that it is probably rusted tight a bit. Use lots of WD40 and maybe hit the end of the axle with a rubber mallet, or get a 2x4 and put that against the axle and smack it with a hammer. The shock might break it free.

Don't go pounding on the end of the axle with a hammer on its own, otherwise you will damage the axle.

Does the bearing come out? Maybe you can just take it out and the axle will come with it

 

[MCPDC]

But the axle should slide through the bearing with all retainers and keys removed, correct? The only thing holding it now should be rust? Thanks for the input. I will go throw a bunch of Break Thru penetrating oil on it and leave it until later.

 

[landuse]

But the axle should slide through the bearing with all retainers and keys removed, correct?

That should be correct

 

[MCPDC]

Last question(s)... I (in theory) should not have to remove the hangers for the bearings, correct? If it is any indication of how stuck things are, in the photo attached, the retainer you see here with the set screw removed will not budge... so I will choose this as my starting point and work from there I suppose, LOL. I think I will go ahead and clean the entire axle first to avoid it binding as it loosens up. I will remove the entire axle and give it a good cleaning once I can get it free.
So far, thoroughly enjoying this project. These karts are built very well actually, I am quite shocked, but then again, they were used for rentals so I would assume that reliability would be key.

 

[landuse]

In theory, you shouldn't have to remove the hangers to get the axle out of the bearing. It should slide out if all the set screws and locking collars have been removed.

Try use penetrating oil, clean rest of axle and then tap them with a mallet to see if they budge.

Concession karts are normally overengineered because of the abuse that they receive. You could maybe cut of some of the excess steel if there is too much and just making it heavy

 

[MCPDC]

Thanks again.
I could not see any other reason for this axle to be hanging on, other than rust.
I think I will leave the karts complete and not modify until I get them operational. Probably best for someone new such as myself... but I won't be new for long, LOL. I am sure that one of these karts will be changing, significantly, in the future.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Hey- Welcome to the forum! Good to see another local boy!

 

[MCPDC]

Thanks toystory... how about giving this local boy a welcome by helping me pull the bloody axle out of this kart!!!! LOL. Managed to loosen it tonight using heat, lube and a large hammer (splitting maul) with a 2x6 as a buffer so as not to damage the axle end. Also, used some vise grips to turn the retainers on the axle... it is coming, but slowly. Have the day to work on it tomorrow so wish me luck!

 

[landuse]

Thanks toystory... how about giving this local boy a welcome by helping me pull the bloody axle out of this kart!!!! LOL. Managed to loosen it tonight using heat, lube and a large hammer (splitting maul) with a 2x6 as a buffer so as not to damage the axle end. Also, used some vise grips to turn the retainers on the axle... it is coming, but slowly. Have the day to work on it tomorrow so wish me luck!

It looks like you are winning! Work at it slowly, and it will come. All good things come to people that wait. LOL

 

[MCPDC]

Axle is finally out!!! The combination of heat, lube and some bizarre techniques developed on the fly managed to free the last bearing, allowing me to pull the entire axle out. Will provide photos later today... should I be starting a new thread for this?

 

[SCK]

Nice score!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yeah, you probably should start a new thread. Perhaps the Photo gallery and Projects section? Glad it's working for you!

 

[MCPDC]

New thread started in Gallery/Projects section.