Too young for a driver’s license but mechanically inclined and anxious to be involved in things auto-motive I was thrilled to have a Go Kart. I spent many hours in the garage wrenching, tinkering, and learning mechanics. The main excitement of course was the driving. Neither machine nor I were approved on regular streets obviously so a fav venue was the Kerman Kartways. A 1/3 mile road course with many tight turns, a broad easy banked sweeper and of course a front straightaway created delight.
My *new* Kart was acquired from an answered ad in the local classifieds. Current owner was away on military duty and his family charged to sell it for him. The selling representative knew little about the particulars but it was obvious that it had been a race kart in its heyday and I had visions therefore of attaining great speeds. There was no test drive; just assurances that it ran and nearly $300 was exchanged.
The frame (circa 1963 or ’64) by Kavalla I promptly repainted in Competition Orange. Chrome & Neoprene Steering Wheel. Foam padded and naugahyde upholstery. Aluminium floor pan. There were some exotic bits such as magnesium spyder-type wheels with Carlisle Slicks, and a disc brake on the aluminium live axle chain directly driven by a hot little MC9 McCulloch. This engine was a 2 stroke designed for power with light weight. Since there wasn’t a clutch for ease of starting, weight mattered. The procedure was to aim front wheels in the desired direction, Lift the back end high in the air with one hand on rear frame rail and the other guiding and pushing on the seat frame top. While jogging at a good clip you would then lower the back wheels onto the tarmac and jump in. The forward momentum and sudden weight on wheels was enough to spin the engine and with a quick stab to the throttle and possibly a deft hand [as choke] over carb intake it would ‘catch’ and away you’d go.
It was necessary to continually adjust fuel / air mixture ratio for prevailing conditions and max performance. This was achieved by screw in/out needle valve on the carburetor. Alternatively, fine tuning could be done while underway. Shifting your body partially and reaching back with fingertips to tweek was common place. If too rich, there was severe power loss. This adjustment was crucial because too lean and piston and cylinder would overheat and eventually fail for lack of lubrication (oil is mixed with fuel). The adjustment per the manual was to set at 1 1/4 turns open initially as a baseline.
This didn’t work for my application and I was perplexed. The engine would only run properly starting [lean] at about 1/2 turn. This was unsettling because I fully understood the risk of sticking the motor. I only realized years later what the seller failed to communicate: The carburetor had been [oversized] jetted for racing alcohol. Alcohol gives a power gain but at increased flowage. So, with the carb set up in this manner running regular pump gas was a downer. Had I run the special fuel instead of gasoline, I could have flown!
Just as well probably. Speed equates to risk. Still, it was a ball of fun in a helmet.
