New guy just bought an old cart.

[sandmangts]

I recently turned 44 years old. I have two young boys age 3 and age 7. I just moved back to North Carolina after living in California for about 18 years. After taking my older boy to the local go kart track and seeing how much he enjoyed driving them I decided to pick up a small cart. We have a huge back yard with a nice smooth flat section of hard pack clay. The cart I bought was a little beat up with some front end repair but the Predator 6.5 hp motor is like new and runs great. The brake band and chain needed replacing though and I didn't feel like spending money on that beat up kart so I set up a search on CL and got lucky.

I scored a very nice Yerf Dog kart for just $75 bucks. The tecumseh motor ran but not very well so I swapped the motor from the old kart, got a new drive band, lubed everything, aired up the tires and voila! This thing runs and drives great.

I have a few questions. First, can anyone tell me what year and model the kart is? I looked online and I have not seen one quite like it other than two seaters.

I would like to put a seat belt on it and put some padding on the roll cage. Do you guys know of a source for materials?

Also, are there any decent legal riding areas close to Charlotte NC? I know of Uwharrie and adventure land in SC. Any other tips or info would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Home Depot sells pipe insulation that IMO is as good as most roll cage foam that you are going to come across online for gokarts.....

I'm not talking about the economy stuff....but the denser heavy foam that you can't tear with your hands....like they use on HVAC lines.....the economy ones are worse than "pool noodles "....which have been errantly recommended by some members in the past.....

I have actually never price shopped the difference between that and the real McCoy.....so someone here will probably link you to a place to get the correct approved replacement....as well as advise against my advice.....

To me....it's a matter of time and convenience +$ .....and I don't believe there is an appreciable difference between the two.....

Just as sure....there is a big difference between "real " roll cage padding and pool noodles or the economy insulation.....

I just purchased seat belts for an extremely good price online....unfortunately, I can't recommend them because they are in transit....but if you are still looking when they arrive, I will let you know......

In the meantime....even pool noodles and a couple of men's belts from Goodwill rigged up are better than nothing.....and of course....a helmet is a must.....

Edit: Another option is to remove the roll cage until you can get padding and belts....