What kind of kart/ setup is this?

[Eric1014]

Found an old go kart at my in-laws and thought it would be fun to build but have no idea what kind of kart it is and what the set up on it is. I am new at forum stuff so please for give me if I don’t get it exactly right.

 

[redneckengineering]

i am somewhat of a newbie to karting myself. if i were to guess, id say a manco dingo, set up with an old briggs or a tecumseh(does it say the brand?) with a torque converter. but it also doesn't seem like a manco because there is typically more of a cage around the engine and/or the rider themself, and the steering is kind of odd. youll probably want an opinon beyond mine. one way or another, looks like a great project. good luck!

 

[itsid]

That's a Bird Baja..

great kart; not a fan of the steering bar (original btw) but yeah otherwise I like it

And luckily PO switched the front wheels (which originally are ultra narrow bike wheels)

search the forum for Bird Baja and you'll find a handfull of those (and it's brother)

'sid

 

[Eric1014]

Hey that’s it! That’s pretty cool. Does anyone have any info on how difficult it would be to swap to a live axle setup?

 

[Dingocat]

Hey that’s it! That’s pretty cool. Does anyone have any info on how difficult it would be to swap to a live axle setup?

If it were me I'd keep the differential if it still works, and if it's what it apears to be. Alot Better for turning than a live axel but still power to both wheels

 

[landuse]

Hey that’s it! That’s pretty cool. Does anyone have any info on how difficult it would be to swap to a live axle setup?

I would also keep it "as is" as long as the diff is still in working order. You might need to repack with grease though.

What is the reason you would like to change?

Oh, and just remember that you will be needing both of those band brakes with a diff if you want to stop. Don't think you can get away with one

 

[itsid]

if the diff is busted .. get a new one (it's a peerless 100)

It's needed in fact because the steering geometry on the Bird Baja (model 41605) was a bit off, and with the nasty skinny frontwheels it came with originally, and the wide grippy rears..
there was no way to move that thing through a corner with a live axle.

it's brother the slingshot (model 41655) came with 10" slicks on the front and 11" slicks on the rear and if I'm not mistaking a better geometry spindle..
It had indeed a live axle, just to save manufacturing costs

'sid

 

[Eric1014]

Im not really a fan of having a separate brake for each wheel and I feel like the live axle is a bit easier to work on. I could be wrong just not very versed in this setup. I had a one wheel peel when I was a kid and had a LTO racing kart after that so I’m more familiar with those setups.

 

[itsid]

not a fan of twice the stopping power.. interesting.
Easier than "same thing"; really?

I mean yeah, if it grenades, you need to pick up more parts.. but it's MUCH MUCH easier to corner that kart with the diff in place than without.
and the one downside of having the diff is the additional 2lbs the differential case itself weighs..
(not noteworthy, is it?)

So do as you please, but expect more problems than benefits if you replace the diff with a solid axle!
(live are both since that only means both rear wheels are driven)

'sid

 

[landuse]

Personally I would keep it as it is. Converting to a live axle is a pain in the behind for very little benefit over what you already have

 

[Functional Artist]

IMO
On the differential, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

I looks like you have plenty of other stuff to deal with. (anyways)

I would get 'er going & have some fun, then make changes (if you want) after you have more info (personal experience) to help you make educated decisions.

 

[KartFab]

get new brake bands, then set it... annnndd... FORGET IT!!! ITS THAAT EASSYYYY. So you could go live axle but hey, you got a differential, might as well use it. Just as good as a live axle going straight, and better on turns.