Introduction (Rupp A-bone?)

[Shane Tucker]

Hello everyone.

I picked up a kart last weekend at a yard sale. From what I can gather it's some kind of Rupp, possibly a Dart A-bone? Not sure of year, but maybe '60 - '65?

I know very little about vintage karts. I picked this up as a toy, but as I have tried to find out more about the parts on the kart I have ended up here. I will not likely give the kart a full restoration myself, but I will not ruin the kart either. My plans are to make it into a reliable fun kart for our family and clean it up a bit in the process.

The kart came with a 2hp B&S motor with a sprocket and #40 chain (no clutch). I got the motor running and hooked up the drivetrain, but I can't figure out how to start the kart while on the ground. I can get it running while on jack stands, but so far my attempts to push start haven't worked. I'm open to suggestions there.

From looking at other karts online I think my kart has been altered from its original setup. I'm not sure if the fairing (over the steering column), wheels or rear axle are original pieces. Beyond that, I'm not savvy enough to know if the rest of the frame is still stock/original.

The brake was dragging so I have started to take it apart to see if I can adjust it, but now I am stuck as I cannot seem to get the drum comletely apart.

My other questions would be about how to go about re-painting the kart. What are the best methods to strip paint, prepare the metal and paint? What other nuts, bolts etc. should be upgraded or replaced if I am going to have things taken apart?

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu26 ... /kart1.jpg
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu26 ... titled.jpg