Need Guidance to parts for Big Thunder, Full restoration

[ThrowbackJ]

I recently got back my old family go kart from the mid 2000’s and starting a full restoration on it , I need almost everything , The main thing I want to change first is the axle , I can’t seem to find the same exact size, Came here for opinions and input on how I should do things with to keep it original

 

[Denny]

Gokart Supply, Go Power Sports, BMI and a bunch others should have what you need. Start looking through their offerings to see what you may need. Come back here and ask questions if you need advice. We will try to help. Parts are pretty generic, so shop around for the best price.

 

[madprofessor]

Here's some of the go parts in gokart...........
USA Industries Go Kart Big Thunder Replacement Parts | Motorcycle, ATV, & Boat Parts | NAPA Auto Parts (napaonline.com)
...........but it doesn't really look very helpful. Gokart parts suppliers like Denny said will likely be where you get everything, not much OEM.

 

[pendemic]

I just recently put mine back together original as possible also. The shaft is 19 inches(IIRC) and you need the motor mount. Both pretty cheap

 

[ONE-EYE]

Original isn't always best lol. From what I can see, I'd go with a 40" long 1" diameter solid steel axle with 1/4" keyway through it. This will be strong and allow for adjustments in case you need to change anything up. They have a kit at BMI for $150 but just the axle for $50. The kit comes with a 54T sprocket and crappy lock collars but I don't know what kind of gear ratio you're wanting. I ended up getting the kit, buying double split lock collars on Amazon, and ordering a 60T sprocket to keep my torque vs top speed. Hope this helps.

 

[madprofessor]

If you dump the exact restoration idea for a 1" solid steel fully keyed axle, absolutely get a sprocket carrier hub with a 5.25" bolt circle for split sprockets. This one's just about the cheapest..............Unihub - Sprocket Hub | AZ2556 | Azusa 2556 | BMI Karts And Parts................You only have to slide it onto the axle one time, and all of your sprocket changes after that are 5-minute affairs with inexpensive split sprockets like this..............
#35 Split Sprocket | 6335** | BMI Karts And Parts...................I'd also use only double-split locking collars (on both sides of everything) that just slap right on in 30 seconds, and don't bite digs into an axle with setscrews. I have 18 of them on my current kart in 1' and 3/4" sizes............1” DOUBLE SPLIT STEEL NEW CLAMPING SHAFT COLLAR BLACK OXIDE (Qty 4) Free Ship | eBay..................3/4” BORE DOUBLE SPLIT STEEL (10 PCS)CLAMPING SHAFT COLLAR BLACK OXIDE free ship | eBay