Need Help--Awesome Concession Kart!

[Karte Diem]

Hey y'all, long time reader, first time poster. I just picked up a concession kart frame from a putt-putt golf place. It's great, but I'm unable to find new WHEELS for it anywhere. It uses old 2-piece wheels with 6 bolts (3-bolt pattern spaced 3.25 inches apart) and a 3-inch diameter inner opening to accommodate the wheel hubs. Tires are sized 12x4.00-5, as pictured. I have 1 wheel--can anybody tell me where to find 3 more? Thanks very much!!!

 

[Budget GoKart]

I have one what size are they also you can put different rears on if you pm me I got that wheel just pay shipping

 

[Karte Diem]

Also, if anybody knows what make/model/year this kart is, that would be cool to know. It has a belt drive sprocket/sheave on the axle and the measurements seem to be a perfect fit for a GX270 with wet clutch. Hopefully that will be a good powertrain because this beast is going to weigh about 300lbs without engine! Anybody have alternate engine or transmission ideas?

 

[anickode]

Concession carts typically have a boat load of extra weight attached down low to keep them from flipping... Should consider removing that.

Instead of a wet clutch, I'd suggest an FNR box. You could set it up with a Predator 420, 40 series torque converter, FNR box cheaper than a GX270 with a wet clutch. You'd most likely have to change the axle sprocket or a jackshaft for compound gearing since the wet clutches typically have a 2:1 reduction built in. But you'd probably STILL come out ahead. And you'd be able to back up, which is a REALLY nice thing to have when your kart weighs 300#

 

[Karts of Kaos]

I have one what size are they also you can put different rears on if you pm me I got that wheel just pay shipping

how? remember how that went with me.

 

[Budget GoKart]

Yea i don't have money to pay you for yours kaos but I can sell wheels

 

[Karts of Kaos]

ok.

 

[Karte Diem]

Thanks, Anickode. I would love to install that F-N-R box. However, I'm not confident that I could adjust the position of the drive sheave/sprocket on the axle. Those axles are heavy duty and are rusted and painted together from 20 or 30 years of track duty! Also, the engine mount pad is actually quite thin in width and can't be moved left or right. My *ideal* setup is probably going to be one that doesn't make me move that sheave/sprocket location. We'll see how elaborate I end up going with this!
Secondly, if anybody doubts that you can cram a concession kart in the back of a minivan, I give you Exhibit A (photo). Just have 4 friends help you lift it!

 

[jmaack]

looks like that rear would be an easy swap to a new and better axle sprocket setup.

 

[anickode]

That sprocket would be a piece of cake to move. Take the bolts out of the taper lock hub, put them into the other set of holes, and crank them down 1/4 turn at a time working your way around. It will pop it right off.

 

[Karte Diem]

Ok, so I figured out how to bust off the nuts from the axle. I used a vice clamping on the brake disc, PB blaster, heat gun, and liberal swearing. This is awesome because now I can yank the wheel hubs off and not have to sweat the WHEEL issue any more. I'll just get new hubs and wheels and join the 21st century. And I should be able to adjust the sprocket any way I want. Now wondering whether to try installing a solid axle or not...

 

[Karte Diem]

Update: Removed left and right axle nuts and ancient wheel hubs. Pulled off belt-drive sheave. Guess that means I'm in the market for hubs, wheels, and tires! Looks like I'm limited to the 12x4.00-5 tire size in the front due to space constraints, but could do something wider (but not taller) in the back. Let me know if y'all know a setup that would work on these 1" rear axles and 3/4" front spindles. Thx!