mine has a square tubing axle that welded solid thru the frame with a spindle on each side. The drivers side seems to have a hub that bolts to the wheel and sprocket..
To change it to a live axle, you will need to replace those rear wheel hubs to solid keyed hubs, a full width rear axle supported by bearings on each end, and a sprocket assembly made for this application. The parts are available relatively cheap, look on eBay or kart supplier websites. You may have to cut out the existing setup to add all this to get the right geometry and clearances.
It's the only photo my family has and we had the cart for 4 - 5 years. The photo is dated about 1963. The cart is a late 1950's double seater Sears Roebuck with a 2.5 or 3HP aluminum block B&S engine with a vacujet carb. A V-belt variable diameter clutch (3.5 or 4" diameter with centrifugal weights) drove an idler shaft. The other end of the idler shart had a small sprocket with a (#30?) roller chain that drove the large sprocket on the left rear wheel only. No live axle on this cheapie. Solid rubber tires and pathetic friction brakes (steel on rubber). Starting from a stop required manual 'kick assist' with the driver's left leg and the passenger's right leg. It was a horrible little cart. Something broke nearly every time I drove it. There was only one time that I rode it and put it away in running condition. No regrets, though. I sure learned a lot about engines keeping it running. My Dad was a Sears guy. The bike in the background is a JC Higgins.
Awesome carts on this thread. Here's the 1970 Dune Cat I just picked up yesterday. All original, only missing the motor.
Vintage go karts are even more than memories... I have seen many vintage go kart models and everyone of them is absolutelykart for salefantastic and unique.
Heres some pic of mine Just took it down the road sunday for a short fast ride, Also its on U TUBE Its first test ride!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaLroIdBulQ
Here's one i just got thanks to fellow member Fast67 . Built in 1960 (penny glued to steering wheel to mark year built by orig owner). It has a bunch palmini speed parts ,twin Clinton engines,real mag wheels ,axle driven fuel pump ,twin alum fuel tanks and disc brake .A true find and look back to the way it was ..
1960 construction date is correct. By mid 1961, the Go Power wheels had been changed to a design with the bolt recesses in the bottom of three of the larger holes, and the face of the wheel swept outward rather than inward. The second design is a bit heavier and stronger; the original dies had worn out from producing several thousand sets of wheels. Both aluminum and magnesium wheels were produced in both designs, but most karts ran the real mags. I boxed thousands for shipment!
I've had this for a few years now, not sure what it is...we are thinking of restoring it...any idea of what it might be? thx
I have two go carts I picked up for 85$. Does anyone know what they are worth? Mid to latter 70's vintage im assuming? One (the smaller one) is a Ken Bar Streaker. And the other one is a Clark 420. Neither of them are running yet, but i got parts on order to make them driveable. Engines are not the original engines. Need to know what to sell them for, or what the collector value is on these things. I need to sell them QUICKLY. For Now 1shot
I bought this Clark 440 earlier this year. Original seat in great condition, ........ and it runs. I paid $300 and the guy delivered it.
just bought one with a clinton engine,(has mounts for two,)from the sixties at a garage sale for 20 bucks
Here's part of an old karting magazine i have which i have scanned the various models that would have been available in the late 50's. The magazine is dated 1960 and was originally bought my dad and then i spent numerous hours pouring through it. (i'm now 38) I'm guessing that this is quite a rare magazine not only down here in Australia but also in the US. It is 160 pages with limited colour but it has alot of advertising for karts and parts. It also talks about the history of karting, how to get started and how to join a club. The pages i have scanned, i thought be of most interest to this forum for identifying and getting an idea of kart construction back in the 50's. Sorry for all the pics but i thought i would make it as comprehensive as possible. Cheers, Adrian. http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting001.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting002.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting003.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting004.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting005.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old%20school%20karts/Karting006.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting007.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting008.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting009.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting010.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting011.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting012.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting013.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting014.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting015.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting016.jpg http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii510/Adrian_Lawrence/Old school karts/Karting017.jpg
Here's a few pics of my GO KART I restored 35 years ago for my two boys, we ran to Mc's on this one.......boys are 46-48 now.
Here are Pics of Our 1932 FORD ROADSTER GO KART... 10 hp Tec Electric start, Headlights, Tail lights, Horn, 5 speed trans with reverse. We enter Many car shows and people just love it...
Just picked up a Superwheels by Carter one seater, completely origional for $100. Cleaned the carb and put gas in it, runs like a top. Any info on these?
For anyone close to Illinois , on Saturday September 1st at the Rock Island Grand Prix there will be a vintage kart display starting at 10 am and demo run at the at 1 pm . Here is a link to the schedule . http://www.rockislandgrandprix.com/schedule.html This is the biggest street race for karts that I know of . Brian
It's a late 70's Manco sold through Sears and Roebuck stores. I've seen a lot of these Mancos but never another Orange Krate. This was my go-kart when I was a kid...was?...I've still got it.
Does anyone remember a company that made an aluminum monocqouce go kart frame from the mid to late 60's? Saw one in a magazine and that thing was pretty awesome.
The Jalopy Journal
