Hello, New here from Arkansas

[Whitetrashrocker]

Post any possible links you run across.the less they know and the more you know will help with the bargaining.

Seats and tires seem to always be rotted so dont look at those. But a complete Non running engine is far better then one that is halfway taken apart. Sometimes parts are missing. Missing wheels are easily replaced but at a cost. Easier to refurbish the old ones.

Always look the frame over for massive rust. Thats a pass.

A good rolling chassis I'd pay around 100
Maybe more if it had an engine and drive train.

 

[panchothedog]

Facebook, Craigslist, and Offer Up. I have purchased from all 3 of them. Just look for go kart. There will be a wide variety of things for sale. You can easily tell from the picture if it's a 2 seater and if it has a roll cage. Then zero in on the engine. Anything with a pull start industrial ( lawnmower ) style engine is what you're looking for. Prices and condition will vary greatly.

 

[Heyhey1234]

Thoughts on this listing? Doing a little research, looks like weight capacity of the black widow is 300 lbs. How difficult do you think it would be for someone like myself with no experience to get that to 400 lbs instead?

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[Denny]

Thoughts on this listing? Doing a little research, looks like weight capacity of the black widow is 300 lbs. How difficult do you think it would be for someone like myself with no experience to get that to 400 lbs instead?

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I never took it literally only figuratively. Heavier shocks and springs will help.

 

[panchothedog]

Thats exactly what you're looking for. That frame will handle 400 lbs. A new seat, some tubes in the tires ( if they won't hold air ) clean up the carburetor and gas tank, service the torque converter (probably needs a new comet belt ) and you could be in business. That is a VERY good deal for the asking price.

 

[panchothedog]

OH, and some floor boards ( belly pan ) as well. Still a great foundation to build on.

 

[Hellion]

I second this (possible) purchase but it ain't much of a project .... Hopefully you resurrect the engine, that'll be fun

Appears to be a American Sportworks, aka Manco.

American Sportworks 3171 Black Widow Go Kart Parts | Model 3171 Parts

American Sportworks 3171 Black Widow Go Kart Parts Breakdowns. 136cc Model 3171 Black Widow Parts Catalog. Our exploded view breakdowns and parts tables make it easy to locate the part you need. American Landmaster Parts.

www.gokartsupply.com

EDIT: the ad is still up, OP better buy it.

 

[Heyhey1234]

I sent a message to go take a look, hopefully get a response soon. I do agree with you, not really what I had in mind originally for a project but could still be something fun to mess around with.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Got to start somewhere.

This will be the first of your fleet.

 

[panchothedog]

I sent a message to go take a look, hopefully get a response soon. I do agree with you, not really what I had in mind originally for a project but could still be something fun to mess around with.

Not what you had in mind. Is it too rough? It's got all the basic good stuff for a off road kart. Suspension at both ends ( a big plus ) torque converter ( so the drive train is set up correctly ) rack and pinion steering. I have purchased 4 karts with similar features ( never that rough ) but then again I have paid from $600 to $800.
If it's more work than what you're looking for, than keep looking. But be prepared to pay more. I don't know the market in your part of the country, but in California, where I live, that's a killer deal for $200. Hope you get it.

 

[Heyhey1234]

No, in my head it was less work than I was looking for. Although, seeing some of the things you all are writing shows me I’m way too naive and there is plenty here to work on and feed my desire to learn something hands on and have fun with the kids both. I also hope to get it but the lister still hasn’t responded to my message to take a look so I’m not optimistic about it working out now, hope is waning.

 

[Hellion]

I do agree with you, not really what I had in mind

I'm halfway teasing. If you're not super mechanically inclined and/or patient, you might end up biting off more than you can chew with a derelict stripped frame as your first foray into the DIY arena.

You can pay more, as you go, refurbing a kart that needs more to make it whole I suppose. You can look for a derelict rustbucket later?

If you ask the FB canned phrase, “hi is this still available?” you will likely get ignored. Seen countless sellers angrily write in the ad copy that they won’t respond to that. Funny, a thing designed to help is now a hindrance.

 

[Heyhey1234]

Yes, unfortunately it was a very personalized hand typed message by yours truly and not the robots expressing I was interested and wanted to come look at it. Crickets…gotta love fb marketplace.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

FBM is a clear window into the strangeness of humanity. I was trying to find a desk for my 90yo mother in assisted living, I found one that would work, messaged the seller every 3 days for 4 weeks. She finally said you can pick it up this weekend. Nothing else, no address, phone #, nothing. I replied: "Great! HOW?" Never heard back.

 

[Heyhey1234]

FBM is a clear window into the strangeness of humanity. I was trying to find a desk for my 90yo mother in assisted living, I found one that would work, messaged the seller every 3 days for 4 weeks. She finally said you can pick it up this weekend. Nothing else, no address, phone #, nothing. I replied: "Great! HOW?" Never heard back.

That’s brutal!

 

[Hellion]

Maybe the best strategy is to say “I will take it, when can we meet up?” Then if it’s worse than it appears, like the bottom of all the frame tubing members are rusted out transforming the tubes into ’C’ channel, you can walk away.

I likes pitchers so here's the kart from post #23:



Bonus leaves, no extra charge lol



Hey, an attempt was made to cover the engine with a bag....




Craigslist is the same way (flaky people) except it had no social media attached to it. At least with FBM you have a "real person" who has likely overshared their life on the platform and then they have a scorecard or a reputation on the Marketplace. That's loads better than the total anonymity of craigslist. Or it sure seems better....

 

[Heyhey1234]

Thank you, I’ll put the photos here in the future.

 

[Hellion]

Edited to add:: Do you have a shed or garage space for storage? If the one in the ad is "in storage" don't be like that seller. The steering, the linkages, the suspension components will seize from rust, nothing is really waterproof (long term that is). You can splash puddles and play in the mud, but it's not the same as having your car outside.

you, I’ll put the photos here in the future.

I think you can't see them unless you're a FB member?

 

[Heyhey1234]

I assume but am not sure. Good point.

 

[Heyhey1234]

Yes, have plenty of space for storing it indoors, thanks for this advice.