Need ID on this old Kart frame

[numscul]

I'm wondering if I should bid on this old kart frame and restore it but I don't want to waste my time on garbage

All I want to really know is if I should buy it for $50 or is it trash ?

Thanks for your help

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Prolly trash. I'd take it for free. Very cool, but lotsa custom fab work required to make it work. Someone with the experience and talent of Master Hack could make something really great out of it, but it would take lots of love and work. The big issue is it's made of bed frame.

 

[Denny]

It’s got some neat parts about it. I might buy it just to steal some of the neat bits from it. But I don’t see it being able to run again, too many holes in the frame.

 

[electraglide]

Yeah .. that frame doesn't look all that trustworthy with all them holes. Won't last long with a 180lb rider hitting all those bumps especially without shocks or springs on the front and that swing arm on the rear don't seem right. $50 now but you'll spend plenty more on parts and labor. Any time and money spent on this kart is better off used on a kart cart that is at least 80% or better 100% complete.

 

[G.W]

Looks home made imo. The fron axle almost looks like a chopped VW beetle axle

 

[Denny]

Like I said there is some interesting parts there. For the money I’d buy it. The spindles alone might be worth the money.

 

[G.W]

For 50 bucks thats some decent parts. You get some decorative metal, a fuel tank, some other scrap, and it looks like some other misc parts. I'd personally buy it just for that gas tank if the tank is saleable. I love that tank.

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Not the mention the crazy remote axle setup. It took me some figuring but it runs 2 1 wheel peel drive wheels connected to the axle that has the pulley on it.

 

[numscul]

Thanks for info guys... I decided to take an hour drive to talk to the man that owns it and found out that it's a kart made for road work

I guess the thing was made a long time ago for assisting road workers who placed box dots in the on the roads

Needless to say when I got there and was able to get a good look at the thing I notices that the frame is bent and I probably wasn't going to be able to find any replacement parts for it.....

So I bought it anyway because I spent an hour driving there and ended up spending 2 hours driving back because I wasn't paying attention where I was going and drove half an hour passed my house until I realize I was supposed to be going home and not towards Nevada

either way I'd rather come home with garbage than with nothing at all.

And the moral of the story is

If you have ant's in you home throw a hand full of left over Halloween candy your kids won't eat over the fence into your neighbors yard

Thanks again for your input guys !

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Thanks for info guys... I decided to take an hour drive to talk to the man that owns it and found out that it's a kart made for road work

I guess the thing was made a long time ago for assisting road workers who placed box dots in the on the roads

Needless to say when I got there and was able to get a good look at the thing I notices that the frame is bent and I probably wasn't going to be able to find any replacement parts for it.....

So I bought it anyway because I spent an hour driving there and ended up spending 2 hours driving back because I wasn't paying attention where I was going and drove half an hour passed my house until I realize I was supposed to be going home and not towards Nevada

either way I'd rather come home with garbage than with nothing at all.

And the moral of the story is

If you have ant's in you home throw a hand full of left over Halloween candy your kids won't eat over the fence into your neighbors yard

Thanks again for your input guys !

That is quite the cool story. I'd say it's worth it just for that talk. Keep us updated on the build.

 

[Hellion]

Thanks for info guys... I decided to take an hour drive to talk to the man that owns it and found out that it's a kart made for road work

I guess the thing was made a long time ago for assisting road workers who placed box dots in the on the roads...

I think you meant Botts' Dots ...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botts'_dots

Before I read your answer this thing gave me vibes of a 1920's Briggs & Stratton Flyer, basically a minimalist car, and also Cyclecars which were along the same lines. I got those vibes because that frame has a lot of sense and sensibility in the design which is far removed from a simple go kart. Then again, if it's old, it could be the resultant dream of tinkerers and amateur engineers from decades before.

Putting a wiki Cyclecar link here because of all the brand names (esp those from France and the UK): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclecar

 

[Denny]

Numscul how about some better pictures of the thing along with a good description?

 

[Hellion]

Numscul how about some better pictures of the thing along with a good description?

Good idea. The pics in post #1 are probably from the ad but I'd love to see 500+ new detailed photos are he got it home. Are those two of the original wheels in the pics?

FULL RESTORE! (or a RUST-oration).

 

[numscul]

Update on the hunk of junk !

I just found out that it's a "KING Midget"

Has anyone ever heard of it before ??

 

[numscul]

I think you meant Botts' Dots ...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botts'_dots

Before I read your answer this thing gave me vibes of a 1920's Briggs & Stratton Flyer, basically a minimalist car, and also Cyclecars which were along the same lines. I got those vibes because that frame has a lot of sense and sensibility in the design which is far removed from a simple go kart. Then again, if it's old, it could be the resultant dream of tinkerers and amateur engineers from decades before.

Putting a wiki Cyclecar link here because of all the brand names (esp those from France and the UK): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclecar

Yeah that's what I said ... Dotts Bots

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Update on the hunk of junk !

I just found out that it's a "KING Midget"

Has anyone ever heard of it before ??

Wow, it sure don't look like one. Cars & Cameras has one, if ya want to check that out.

 

[panchothedog]

A King Midget was a small attempt around 1950 ( give or take ) to build a very small car. Maybe to rival the Crosly. It was the sort of thing that was advertised in the back of Mechanics Illustrated magazine. Not many produced, and not a very attractive vehicle. Single cylinder I believe. Probably information about them if you dug around a bit.

 

[G.W]

Y, now that you mentioned it the holes in the frame are a dead giveaway

 

[Master Hack]

I love junk as much as anyone, but l don’t see much there to love.
Too much work. But one mans junk….
Maybe you would be interested in an old car l have for sale?

 

[Denny]

I love junk as much as anyone, but l don’t see much there to love.
Too much work. But one mans junk….
Maybe you would be interested in an old car l have for sale?

View attachment 141505

You stole the picture of my truck that I have for sale! King Midget was in business from about 1959-69. They built a micro car. After they went out of business the body dies were bought by Westing house and used to build bodies for a short, I’ll fated attempt at building golf karts.