rearenginekarts.com

How many folks have constructed a Go Kart 400 Replica using the available plans?
Are these eligible for vintage kart events?
Thanks for any info.

Tim,

Replica's and even home builds are usually welcome everywhere as long as they are reminiscent of actual karts that were or could possibly have been built and run in the past. Creative performance enhancing modifications to original designs are frowned on however. Can't speak for others but we are trying to preserve kartings roots, not be the first kart on the moon. The motto of R.E.A.R. is to 'run em the way they ran em' and that's about as simple and as fun as you can get.

R.E.A.R.

I finally got the plans today....they are pretty thorough.
I just have some Vintage Kart eligibility questions.....
1) Did Go Kart products ever run with Azusa tri spoke wheels? (Might be a dumb question, but I have to ask)
2) Would it be okay to use Azusa spindles and steering components as long as they can be cotter-pinned and/or safety wired? The overall design would be as close a match to the original as possible...
Sorry to be a pain, but I need to do research before I go ahead with the project. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Timothy, Go Kart didn't use the Tri Star wheels. They came along later. Most 400's ran steel wheels. You are welcome to run Tri Stars if they suit you. I don't know what size steering shaft the plans call for, but 5/8" diameter shafts are far safer than 1/2". The Azusa steering shaft with the weld-on pittman arms is just fine for your project. You could make a "W" shaped bent yoke steering wheel like the 400 came with or upgrade to a round wheel like the 10" diameter Azusa wheel. There are some cast wheels out there like the last of the 400's came with, but they're usually set up for a 1/2" shaft. Cast aluminum wheels aren't all that safe anyhow, though some guys do use them. You can surely set up the Azusa spindle kit for the 400. Perfectly O.K. Remember: HARD square-edge tires, cotter pinned steering and brake components, rear engine, make it look like it was built "back in the day". Other than that, have at it. Look through the photos taken during the various "The Big One" events and follow their lead. Ted

Thanks Ted!!

Timothy,

I think these are the plans/directions for the original Go Kart kits.

Thanks Terry!!!! These look great. It appears that all the little details are no longer a mystery......