early Bug Wasp seat tank

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Frank Davis
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:37 pm
Vintage Karting items owned: Rupp a-bone, GK 800, Clark, Emmick Arrow, others
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early Bug Wasp seat tank

Post by Frank Davis » Tue Apr 04, 2017 5:19 pm

I have aquired an early Bug Wasp kart and have some questions....I have owned a dozen Bug karts, but this one has some things I am not familiar with.....all looks stock, no alterations noted ( except front bumper removed, not sure it belonged there).....The question I have today is, when did Bug start using the "Chilton seat tank.....the seat is drilled for a chilton, not an azusa round as I am used to....maybe a later model?.....any help would be greatly appreciated.....Thanks, Frank Davis.

REAR
Posts: 1221
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:19 am

Re: early Bug Wasp seat tank

Post by REAR » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:09 am

Frank,

Not 100% positive but it appears that the Chilton seat back tanks came out around 1963. Keep in mind also that 5/8" steering shafts became the norm in 63 so these incidentals maybe of help with your kart I.D.

Its really interesting to note all of the different styles, shapes, and locations that the MFG"s and karters have put their fuel tanks through out the history of karting. Another thing to note is that Palmini tanks were some of the more expensive tanks back in the day selling for a whopping $2.00 more then both Azuza and Chilton tanks.

R.E.A.R.

Frank Davis
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:37 pm
Vintage Karting items owned: Rupp a-bone, GK 800, Clark, Emmick Arrow, others
User Agreement: Yes

Re: early Bug Wasp seat tank

Post by Frank Davis » Wed Apr 05, 2017 1:03 pm

Thanks for the info....all of the research and help has pointed to a late version of the early model Bug Wasp go kart (around 1963)....I will have to actually measure the steering shaft as it looks like a 1/2"....I have a Palmini tank that I was going to use on this project, but the seat back is drilled for the Chilton...and I want to be as era correct as possible....The year is important to me as I have two engines to choose from (1) a 2/1/2 hp Clinton Panther, and (2) a McCulloch Mc45.....Thanks again, Frank Davis.

REAR
Posts: 1221
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:19 am

Re: early Bug Wasp seat tank

Post by REAR » Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:39 am

Frank,

Upon further research late 1960-1961 was when the Chilton seatbacks started showing up. LiL 500 was one of the models that had them.

R.E.A.R

Frank Davis
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:37 pm
Vintage Karting items owned: Rupp a-bone, GK 800, Clark, Emmick Arrow, others
User Agreement: Yes

Re: early Bug Wasp seat tank

Post by Frank Davis » Mon May 29, 2017 7:20 pm

I just found the answer to my question.....Bug started using the chilton tank on the "Lightning Bug" kart circa 1962 (shown in Bug catalog for 1962 found on the "Vintage Karting Archives" site.

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