Go Kart Rebuild

[TexasBob]

I am incredibly blessed to have fond Christmas memories my entire life, but one stands out even now some 33ish years later. I received more expensive gifts, fancier gifts, etc at times over the years but none as memorable as the go kart. Nothing fancy, bought used on a whim by my grandfather who was a key person in my life after my dad passed away. After all of the presents were opened, we all went outside and I uncovered the coolest thing I had seen up until that point. I spent countless hours riding in circles loving every minute. The second used motor gave out about the time I was getting too old for it, and the old girl was put away. My daughter just turned 8 and I think it’s time to breathe new life into one of my fondest memories.

after years of sitting, some outside, I brought it in the shop to survey the damage. After the below photos were taken, I got all the wheels removed and the steering shaft out. The latter took a torch, penetrating oil, a puller, and in the end some round bar stock and a sledge hammer. It still makes me smile. After my daughter and her cousins are done with it, I’ll hang it in my workshop for my grandkids or great nieces/nephews

[bobc]

Cool thread, and great story. I have two that I need to do the same thing with. One of them has a 5 hp briggs race engine without a governor - it will flat out scream. What engine you going to go with?

[Strummer]

I spent many hours on my go cart as a kid . When I out grew it I got a Honda odyssey.

[kmack]

Oh the memories this digs up....! 😊

My Dad bought one that looked just like that (almost same condition) but it was a 2-seater with a blown motor from the neighbor down the road. My sister and I would play tag with it (someone drives the cart and chases down the other person who's on foot), can't tell you how many times I ran that old rig into a tree! We had 10 acres of flat ground to run it on and being a 2-seater it was pretty easy to flip in a tight right-hander with only 1 person on board. Did that a number of times also!

All good fun and I learned the basics of general mechanics from keeping it running. Looking forward to the outcome on this project.

[TexasBob]

Cool thread, and great story. I have two that I need to do the same thing with. One of them has a 5 hp briggs race engine without a governor - it will flat out scream. What engine you going to go with?

I have a Honda motor I rescued off a scrap pressure washer that is basically 5hp. Plan is to use it, if it runs. I actually got two- one was running and one wasn't. Of course I didn't note which was which. They are the same so I should be able to set up one solid motor. Worst case, I'll buy a predator 212cc.

First order of parts inbound. Tires and wheels (new version of what's there except they'll match for the first time), brake parts to hopefully upgrade to a brake band instead of the flat piece of metal plate that rubs against the tire, and a seatcover. I'll have to fab a seat frame out of plywood or metal and add foam. It was always an old lawnmower seat that sat crooked when I rode it. Had a chuckle- I'm certain the $290 I spent today is more than she cost.

[holdin4horns]

Cool project!

[hft47]

Nice project and fun for the future. Just don't make it too hot (fast) for the young lady. I did the same thing for one of my grandkids and scared them on their first ride. Had to back it down quite a bit to get him on it again and them slowly raised the speed as he got use to it. Finally got it up to speed and he then about wore it out. Good luck with the project and be sure to take video's of it so you can show her kids of her riding it.

[Hardware]

Gonna be some fun times and memories!!

[TexasBob]

Thanks everyone. I have 100 irons in the fire but got a little time to work on it. Started stripping the rust and paint off, and she picked her paint color- sail blue rustoleum.

[Agdog]

Following. Lots of awesome memories running carts around the farm with dad.

[TeamAmerica]

Good stuff! Any plans for a suspension? That thing looks like it would rattle all my fillings out!

[TexasBob]

Good stuff! Any plans for a suspension? That thing looks like it would rattle all my fillings out!

It’s not a smooth ride for sure. Only change from 30 years ago will be a band brake. I ordered a seat cushion that seems a bit thin I may try to add more foam. When I rode it, it was a crooked lawnmower seat- hmm maybe that’s part of the reason my lower back hurts on the right these days.

[TexasBob]

Made some progress over the weekend. I got sidetracked adding casters and cleaning up a welding table I picked up at an estate sale. There was some rust pitting on the sheet metal but it’s still solid. I thought about replacing it but heavy surgery isn’t needed since it’s still strong. I thought about leaving it but didn’t want it to affect the looks so I used some bondo extreme. First time using it, seemed to work well. The motor I’ve been saving started and ran perfectly, but the exhaust is facing right at the seat. Looks like a common problem so I’ll get a solution ordered. Next up is designing throttle and brake linkages.

[White Falcon]

Had one almost like that with a McCulloch engine.

[EliteDriver]

Nice!!