1961 Rupp Dart A-Bone "Road Runner" Go Kart Rebuild Phase 1

[Hherry96]

I wanna make a go kart but i need your help: how do you get a lawn mower engine started and make the wheels not rotate because thats how it now is, when i start the engine, the blades immediately start rotating. Please reply :)

[snaproll94e]

@Hherry96 most of the time a centrifugal clutch is used to "disconnect" the engine when it's at slow speeds. I checked your channel out and you seam to be sincere about your questions. I'd like to answer them but there isn't enough space. Keep searching youtube and google. Its out there. Don't race anything with spinning blades, carefully take them OFF (pull the spark plug wire off while your removing the blades) and then race the machine. Let me know if you need more info.

[sharkkeepit55]

if you us a smaller steering wheel it wud be easier to turn but nice care

[snaproll94e]

@sharkkeepit55 actually, a small steering wheel gives you less leverage and would take a little more effort to turn. With that said, karts are pretty easy to steer so the wheel size is no big deal. Check out a video of us racing the kart a Barnesville and you'll see that most of the time you only steer 1 inch or less either side of straight, even in hairpin turns. We're restoring the kart to original condition so that's another reason we'll be keeping this steering wheel. Thanks for watching.

[rmcguru]

@sharkkeepit55 That turning must be great with a diff. Great kart and love the work. I am curious to see how it would run with if you modded the 6.5 clone.

[snaproll94e]

@rmcguru In my Dart Kart Restoration Phase 2 video the clone has the governor removed, a new carb, low restriction air filter, header and the straight axle installed. It's pretty peppy. My Phase 3 video and the Vintage Racing videos show it with a West Bend 2 stroke and how we are racing it now. Take a look and let me know what you think.

[iluvchoas]

nice go kart what is the top speed?

[snaproll94e]

@iluvchoas with the clone motor and no governor, a little over 45mph. With the (stock) 820 as you see it in the Phase 3 rebuild video, 50+ mph.

[iluvchoas]

@snaproll94e damn how much would u sell it

[Z3kedog]

On the second picture it looks like my mystery karts engine. I think its a cushman and i got it from my brother who got it from a farmer who had it in a barn for 30 years. Any idea what it might be? Its got no suspension and a wierd logo on the steering wheel.

Also the band brake broke on it so i was wondering if you knew where to get a 4 in band break.

[snaproll94e]

@Z3kedog The engine in the 2nd and 3rd pictures is a 4 hp Briggs and Stratton that was probably made in the 1980's. It sounds like it's newer than the mystery engine your looking for. 4 inch band brakes are pretty common, Google them to find various suppliers. Azusa made them and people like Comet Karts and American Power Sports sell them. Good luck!

[es30381]

looks excellent mate

[snaproll94e]

@es30381 thanks for the kind words. If you like Phase 1, check out Phase 2 and Phase 3 to see what it looks like restored to how it was raced in the 1960's. We met a factory Rupp driver at a vintage karting event that raced this exact kart and he gave the restoration his seal of approval. It was really neat seeing him glow as he recounted racing this model kart back in the day.

[mustapha0505]

good job



[jplumber100]

Awesome job i had a kart just like when i was a kid but the front bar bent up a little from the factory wish i keep it thim things are going for big bucks now .

[Lynium]

haha.. that sawesome!

and now im dizzy.. O.o

\i noticed at the end he cuts super close to one pylon, ut wide of the other.. IDK.. just a thought. proly partly due to the way the kart runs power wise im guessing..

but purty darn good for some one his age :D

I hope my boys pick it up that quick!

its awesome that its been in yuor family so long. tried tested n true.. and now being restored..

My hats off to you and your boy!

[2008khristian]

mandame los planos del kart

[snaproll94e]

@2008khristian any chance we can get this in english? ;-)

[KokkosErik]

@snaproll94e It's spanish and means:" Can u send me kart plans".

[snaproll94e]

@KokkosErik Thanks for the translation. Sorry but no plans are available. These karts are reproduced by Robron and that's the only way I know that you can buy or build one today.

[Dillonopi23]

250

[MultiRipStick]

How do you fix the idle mine cuts out a little when it idles but does fine otherwhise

[snaproll94e]

@MultiRipStick you need to get carb with an idle mixture screw. I bought one off of ebay and now the engine idles very smooth.

[NathansBackwoods]

who needs a diff on a gokart? they are light enough for solid axles.

[snaproll94e]

@NathansBackwoods it helps a lot when you only weigh 50 lbs and the front tires push in a turn. The kids weigh more now and know how to slide the kart through turns so I've put a solid axel back on it.

[EJRocky]

I wish I had things like that when I was his age. I love watching the little guy just go around, his wee helmet leaning into the sharp corners! Good stuff :)

[wweraw5678]

how did u paint it spray paint or with a spray gun

[snaproll94e]

@wweraw5678 at this point, it's been Blue Ford Engine Paint out of a spray can, just like we did back in the day.

[MultiRipStick]

did you have to grease that clutsh before you drove it i have that motor and that clutch and it got hot but we had 2 boys on it 260lb but i still wonder

[snaproll94e]

@MultiRipStick Yes, I greased our clutch with some very high temp grease. It does help. Without grease, there were times the clutch bushing tried to stick and drove the kart forward at idle. Don't put too much grease, keep it off of the shoes and drum.

[havyelprincipe]

was the kart a dead or live rear axle? because if it is that frame looks just like mine and my frame is very heavy.And you said that it had 2 engine mounts but so does mine.Mine is still a dead axle (planing to make it posi) ill send you pictures when i finish the kart .Great vid/slide i subscribed and 5/5 stars

[meepcha]

damn did u at least save the original motor?

[snaproll94e]

@meepcha I've got what's left of the original motor. The reason we were given the kart was because the guy blew up the motor one to many time for his budget. I've also been collecting WB820's so don't worry, it will eventually have one on it again. And that may not be too far away!

[SuperUGK123]

it looks so slow

[wwiiguitarhero]

what type of paint did you use?

[jess176216]

i think every little kid should work with his dad like you and your son like the gloves to

[snaproll94e]

@giffy6 I did the day after I shot this video. Thanks for the comment.

[Silverblack218]

smart kid.. teach em yung

[nork21]

Awesome vid, i wish i had someone in my family that knew how to build go carts.

[briggs5sboy]

i'm building a vintage racing style kart with a live axle. right now i'm trying to find a big old two stroke motor to use.

p.s. Is that hebie leaning up against the wall at 1:10?

[snaproll94e]

@briggs5sboy Yep, that's Herbie! Let me know if you post any videos of your kart.

[alexkerr423]

i have the same engin on my gokart its a greay hound 6.5hp but ill warn you to not take the governer off i took mine off and it blew the OHV off but then again i race and you never take your foot off the peadle but just dont take the governer off trust me

[jvossbrink]

WHERE DID U GET THE LIVE AXEL?

[snaproll94e]

@jvossbrink , if your talking about the differential, I got it from Surplus Supply Center and then lengthened one axel. Now I see Northern Tool has one that is long enough without any mods so I'd suggest getting one from them. Finding sprockets that fit was a problem. The only ones I could find had to be modified by turning the i.d. on a lathe so it would fit the diff and then I had to transfer the bolt pattern. Commet Karts has solid axels.

[jvossbrink]

@jvossbrink ok thanks i did a little research to and i think my go carts set up is fine atm. and yesterday my friend offered me a 3 wheeler with 200 cc engine so i might be haveing a bigger project soon

[SlickC18]

@jvossbrink hey man go to bmicarts they have everything you need for a go kart just not a frame lol

[billysgeo]

Is this a counter-weight on the rear left axle (outside the frame) to counter for the offset motor?

Or is it a drum-brake?

[snaproll94e]

billysgeo, your second guess is correct, it's a drum break.

[jrdill1929]

I don't know what it is, but I sure do like it.

[darokkz]

way to start em' young, that little kid will probably be buiding karts like mine by the time he's 15. nice job btw

[Risefotruth]

i have a nice 5hp go kart a bit like a manco only it's not it has like camo seat.. It is a stock one and is fun but i need alot more juice and if i put on a bigger engine im afraid it will squirrel more then it already does and be slower and completely unstable due to the fact the engine AND chain drive are on the left hand side.. should i make a straight axel and if so how? i can weld pretty good..

[snaproll94e]

@Risefotruth a straight axel will won't upset the handling, in my opinion it could only help. Google go kart parts or go to a place like comet karts and they have the axel, bearings, hangers, sprocket hub, breaks and rims you'll need to convert it. This will test your skills as a welder, make sure you measure and get the axel installed level and square. If the frame is twisted after your done, or the axel is cocked, your handling will be affected for sure.

[Risefotruth]

@snaproll94e

oh alright thanks

Yeah since i commented i broke my arm on a gokart and don't ride it much anymore

[snaproll94e]

@Risefotruth sorry to hear about your arm. I hope you get back to driving your kart. You know, they say you have to get back on the horse that threw you. Personally, I believe that and have helped my kids through similar situations. Take care.

[elebeu]

Looks like you have some future mechanics and drivers in the family. Enjoyed seeing your restoration of an old cart.

[allclear241]

Thats awesome, getting the kids involved!! Only thing; the engine should have been more . toward the center due to stabilty on turns but other than that it looks awesome!

[snaproll94e]

Thanks for the encouragement. BTW, stability isn't a problem, the floor pan on the kart is only 1/2 inch off of the ground so the c.g. is very low, you couldn't turn it over without some outside influence. Moving the engine to the center might help it corner a little better to the left but the sprocket location on the diff dictated the engine location. When we go back to a straight axel I may change the engine location.

[deathdealer243]

yeah yours looks kinda like a 52 model except your engine mount is on the right side unless you just made it like that

[jmoyet]

cool!

Currently fixing up a go kart that blew a clutch on me.. Few hours ago i figured out how to install drum brakes on it since the paddles wear out the tires faster.. and that sucks...

cool video

[spidermanfan112]

i have a 63 go kart t00

[NcalBiker]

Wow, a Suzuki 400 two stroke on a kart. It's too close a coincidence, a friend of mine did that too, back in about '76. Couldn't get it to hook up fer beans, but lord was it ever fast. Quite a handful to handle, but once it got going... Excellent resto. Great video, and loved the story.

[sz42781]

how do you remove the governor? is it on the carb

[snaproll94e]

The govenor is a link between the carb butterfly and an arm coming out of the crankcase. You can take the link off and connect your throttle cable directly to the carb butterfly if you have the right hardware. There are several "clone motor" videos on youtube that show how to do this. Removing the govenor gear inside the engine is recommended so it doesn't fly apart and distroy the engine. Don't forget to add a good return spring at the carb!

[northerbrewer]

The Dif is a great idea for the youngster makes cornering easier untill he's old enough to go a little faster and drift with a live axel.

Your Video brings back memories of. If you can't find a westbend an Old Clinton would bve very retro ( the common 2 strokes 3 hp thats plenty fast ).

I ran a big Clinton saw motor from the 50s back in the 80s. Too fast for the boy but when he gest older if you want to go retro the old Saws were good race engines.

[snaproll94e]

Yep, that's the whole reason I put the diff on it, the boys had trouble making tight turns with the straight axel. Breaking with the diff is limited since it only locks up one wheel.

[northerbrewer]

I had a westbend too from a small snow machine.

Great stuff man keep posting

[airstrike55]

i had slick tires on mine but we took them off cuz i wrecked and broke my leg and arm =(

[superfunnyman123]

my friend is crazy he put that same motor on a little pocket bike and took off the gov. and now it goes about 90 mph!

[andy101nguyen]

i'll buy it for 100 dude

[Norgard167]

bigger motor would be sick

[Pastalter]

i have that same motor and my gokart is bigger and it will go 25 so this one must go fast

[cooldud11122]

reminds me of me and my dad on my old manco gokart now its a beast. ahah Good work.

[BuffaloBillCody987]

you need to put another 400 on it

[gocart57]

we run those motors on our ovel racing karts we call em blue motors clone`s etc i have a yellow one is that a racing axel ???

[fangus503]

wow that thing does great around turns!

[luupawar]

why did you put the engine on the wrong side ^o) the right

[peanuttygoodness]

so that way you can more easily put a live 2wd axle on it. if it were on the left it would be a simple single wheel drive and that equals less traction and also less fun

[rugersribshack]

sell it?

[snaproll94e]

No thanks, watching these boys learning to drive it is priceless.

[dewy002]

Are you going to piece together the 2 stroke west bend engine sometime like we wanted to do back in the seventys.

Dave

[dewy002]

Looks like the boys may not need the pedals extentions any more, is it spinning the back inside tire? You might add some weight on the left side for traction, its good to see Mat working in the shop with Dad I'll bet you guys had fun.

Dave