For Sale: 60's Homelite Spitfire

Steve Case · Post by **Steve Case** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:36 pm

I have a 60's Homelite Spitfire gokart for sale. 1961?
-Original Rims/tires? Possibly on the rear, unconfirmed on the front.
-New Chain
-8hp briggs/stratton engine
-Single scrub style brake
$400 o.b.o.

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Rob Voska · Post by **Rob Voska** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:59 pm

It's not a Dart kart.

Chris Marchand · Post by **Chris Marchand** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:30 pm

Looks like it started out as a Spitfire.

Steve Case · Post by **Steve Case** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:14 pm

Can anyone confirm what it is? I was told by the previous owner it was a dart. They also said that the previous owner before him added those "brush guards" in front of the rear wheels.

ted johnson · Post by **ted johnson** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 5:16 pm

Sure looks like a Homelite Spitfire to me. If you look at the REAR home page, you can go to the photo sets from The Big One and locate a number of pictures of Jeff Troy's beautifully restored red Spitfire with the twin white Homelite KL100's on it. The kart you picture has no resemblance to a Dart of any vintage. The rear wheels may be the original steel rims from the Homelite, but those aluminum fronts are from a cheap fun kart.

Steve Case · Post by **Steve Case** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:22 am

Thanks for the information guys. I'm gonna have to agree with you and say it's a spitfire as well. The original color seems to be Red underneath the blue/black paint. From what I can tell, thats what spitfires came with.

Jeff Troy · Post by **Jeff Troy** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:18 pm

Hi, Steve,

Your Spitfire is the earlier stub-axle kart, produced by Homelite in Port Clinton, New York, until mid-1960. It was replaced by the live-axle version in late 1960.

I can't really see the rear wheels, but the factory standard on both Spitfire models was Dico 6-inch steel (painted white) on the rear and Dico 4-inch steel (also white) up front. Stock configuration was treaded tires up front and knobbies on the rear. Slicks all around were optional. Sprockets were not split, but solid 84-tooth stampings with a five-bolt central hub. Brakes are dual Homelite-Morse 5-inch internal expanding (drum brakes).

The four-stroke engine is a no-no, never available from Homelite. Same for the support tubes on your kart from the spindle yokes to the frame rails. Can't be sure, but the steering wheel looks to be too deeply dished, and perhaps also non-original. The correct wheel is an all-plastic (outside) three-spoke job. The spokes are steel reinforced under the plastic, but the rim is not. These wheels are very prone to having the plastic spokes crack around the hub. The steel stays solid so there's no problem with integrity - just uckin fugly. The wheel connects to the 1/2-inch shaft with a 1/4-inch roll pin.

Thank you for the nice compliment on my Spitfire. I have four (two of each), and the one with the twin KL-100s is the later live-axle model, which looks nothing like the stubby except for the steering wheel, pedals, brakes and sprockets. My stubby carries dual Power Products AH-58s, which I will soon replace with a more appropriate pair of left-and-right K-82 Homelites. The other two Spitwads are in mid-resto.

These karts are perfectly balanced and handle great. Drifts are more fun than anything I've driven, but they are very heavy, and so, not too competitive. Drive one 'cause you love it. Other reasons might be difficult to fabricate.

Warmest regards,

steve miller · Post by **steve miller** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:13 pm

jeff . i have two spitfires i was ridding mine yesterday its got a pair of 580 west bends i have only got two 82s a kr and kl ive never ran them ..as you stated they gotta be one of the nicest riding and steering karts around ..i look forward to taking mine around avon .with the 82s ..i have never seen a live axle homelite do you haver any pics or can you tell me where i can see one ..thanks glad to see someone else likes old homies besides me ..

Steve Case · Post by **Steve Case** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:23 am

The kart does have the mounting for dual engines underneath that big ole' briggs. The steering wheel I would say has been replaced at some point as indicated by the weld job. Two owners before me put those brush guards in front of the rear wheels. This kart does turn on a dime and is a blast to drive!

This kart could definitely use some tlc. I just don't have room for it in my garage anymore as I am taking on a new project. Is my price too high? What exactly are these things worth in this condition?

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