I'm a newbie trying to find my way around here...

[7thofa2nd]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and still trying to figure out how to post. I'm from Barberton, Ohio. I'm retired from the autobody repair field where for most of my years I restored cars... now I've started restoring old go karts... the good old yard karts. I've got a kart that seems to me to be a little unique and I could really use some help in identifying the make and model. Then I'd really appreciate being directed to a good source for parts for it. When possible, I like to stay original with my restorations, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I've looked through literally thousands of vintage go kart images and have yet to find one like it. Note the back slope to the steering wheel support. All the karts I've viewed the support slopes toward the front of the kart. Also, notice the front of the frame where the spindles mount... they're the opposite of most all that I've seen.

Let's see who knows the most about vintage karts...

WTH do I have here?

 

[7thofa2nd]

I think this kart has beautiful lines.

 

[itsid]

nice kart..
I found it's brother
unfortunately w/o make or model..


Anyways, whoever made the kart went out of business years ago.
there's little to no chance that you will be able to find ANY original parts for it,
even IF you know what it is exactly.

The spindles (being all wrong and such ) will be especially difficult..

with a bit of luck the PCR type spindles fit:
https://cutpriceracing.com.au/store...Type-Silver-Pair-10mm-Kingpins-w-Red-Spacers/

but I wouldn't place a bet on that..
I know Trick Olympic (race karts) did that a few decades ago as well..
but finding those isn't easy and likely not cheap either

Sorry, but you will have to rely on generic parts (most of it was anyways)

'sid

PS
maybe you can make use of chinese spindles like these:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1Pa...cc-150cc-200cc-250cc-Go-Kart/32847627963.html

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Welcome! Build your own spindles. That thread that Itsid provided has plenty of photos.

 

[7thofa2nd]

itsid - The "PCR type spindles" link doesn't work for me.

I did see those Chinese spindles and thought about them. Then, after looking at the spindle kit that I had already bought (before I decided to keep the kart as original as possible), a (dim) light-bulb lit up. I can just make my own spindles from that kit, starting with the part that's meant to be welded on the kart frame.

---------- Post added at 02:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:05 PM ----------

Hi Sylvester McMonkey McBean, fabricating my own is what I'll do. I don't have a bender (yet) but I had bought a kit that already gave me, what I should have realized earlier, just what I need to make my own. I just wish I had photos from another all original kart like it to make them copies of the originals. It did already have some fabricated spindles on it, but I'd be too embarrassed to have them seen in public. HA!!!

 

[7thofa2nd]

@itsid
I do believe you found my kart's relative... it's got a lot of similarities. My kart came with homemade spindles too. No doubt the previous owner had trouble finding the proper replacements. My kart has an enclosed 3/4" live axle running on bronze bushings, a clean look.

THAT is the ONLY other kart I've see with the same back sloping steering support.

I'll be going for an asphalt runner... wide wheels/wide slicks... low profile. I'm debating on whether or not to add another engine mount plate to go twin engine. I have a matching set of 3-1/2 hp 2cycle Briggs AND a matching set of 5hp 2 cycle Briggs. The color... haven't finalized my decision on that yet.

I'll definitely post photos upon completion.

 

[itsid]

Coincidence struck...
new member made me adjust search terms..

and look what I found:
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Paire-17mm-...pre-chariot-/323302901943?hash=item4b465ac8b7

it might not be a perfect fit, but certainly a nice set that you can make work with relative ease I assume

'sid

 

[7thofa2nd]

@itsid Hey, I like those spindles. I can drill out the spindle hole for the king pin (easy), and possibly shave off a little from the top and bottom of the spindle's "u" to make it fit (iffy), but what about the wheel bearings? Do they make bearings with metric ID and OD in inches?

 

[itsid]

hmm IDK.. I know the std size is 35mm OD and I do know there's an oversize (37mm OD) bearing
that'd be 1.37795" (just over 1 3/8") or 1.45669" (a bit over 1 7/16")

frankly the std size (35mm) is only ever so slightly too big (< 0.003" [ 0.075mm something I can barely measure accurately with my digital calipers] )
I'd say a quick whiff with an emory cloth is enough to make it fit nicely

but I never tested that and I am not aware of conversion bearings tbh.

'sid

 

[7thofa2nd]

I've been meaning to get to Akron Bearing, so that'll be a good question for them.
•MERGED•
itsid... while I have you here... I'm REALLLLY having trouble figuring out how to post stuff. Each time I have, I've stumbled upon it after clicking on everything, and don't remember how I got there. I'm sure there has to be an easier way, I'm just not seeing it.

 

[Nosandwich]

Little oval blue box right under the posts on the left.

 

[itsid]

Well, I assume you talk about images (attachments)

Just above the Quick Reply on the left hand side you see the "Post Reply" button,
click that and you'll be sent to the fully equipped editor

in said editor find the paperclip icon...
have that?
Now scroll down past the editor and find the "Manage attachments" button in the "Additional Options" box.

click that and it'll pop up the attachment manager where you can upload five files,
once those five are uploaded you can close the window and reopen it once again to upload five more files (for a total of ten per post)

If you now click the paperclip icon, you can insert any of the previously uploaded files into the post text (inline images if you need them)
if you do not need to inline images or files, they'll be added to your post automatically at the end.

If you don't have any uploads in the post yet, the paperclip icon
serves conveniently as the shortlink to the upload popup ..
but only once so the second set of input boxes (if needed) will have to be opened with the "Manage Attachments" button I talked about earlier

'sid