about what year model is this bug? opps it's a kavalla

[david a luciani]

here's another kart i just picked up.
it's a complete frame but beat up some.
what year is this one?
thanx
dave

[Tom Smith]

for starters it's a Kavalla Kart, not a Bug

[david a luciani]

opps!!!!
dave

[david a luciani]

thanx tom,
i'm a little fast and loose with i.d.s , maybe i should have asked what the heck is this and what year please?

now that i at least have the right company i need some info please.
except for the bottom tin and tweaked front axle this is in nice shape.
the axle will be a big hassle but it's doable.
i'm assuming the front axle had no triangular gussets from the factory.

the swing mount it has was welded onto the frame brace someone added or does that rectangular piece of steel belong there behind the seat?
very little damage to the swing mount so i'll be saving that.
i'm assuming it came with a swing mount is that correct?

i also got a bendix brake in the pile of parts.
did those come on a kavalla kart?
they also have a bent steel rod brake is that correct?
it seems like an early kart so would a mc10 clone be about right for the engine setup?

with the weight of the frame i have to assume it's an early 60-61??
and finally were they a decent handler or more like the simplex tanks errr i mean racing kart.

anyway thanx for any info ahead of time.
dave

[Tom Smith]

DSCN1682.JPG

(808.4 KiB) Not downloaded yet

DSCN1680.JPG

(797.56 KiB) Not downloaded yet

I have a 63 Kavalla Super Lite (I think) the cross member behind the seat that the swing mount perches on is angle iron. 63's came with HH Products disc brakes which bolt onto a stamped Zee plate welded to the top frame tube. Other features for 63 are an aluminum floor pan, CT Alloy magnesium wheels, Chilton fuel tank, aluminum rear axle, and a removable fiberglass number panel. Yours doesn't have the two stamped lightning holes in the seat side pad plates which may be an indication it's an earlier 62 model (?)
Front axle gussets are not original equipment. They look like a decent kart that isn't going to break in half behind the seat hoop because of the double frame tube configuration. I never drove mine. Mc-10s were for the most part completely obsolete by 62/63. A real West Bend 820 would fit well.

[Dean Seavers]

David-

Wait, weren't you just bustin' folks chops to build their projects instead of continuing to buy more projects?

Dean

[Rob Voska]

Dean it's a sickness. Kinda like pringles, Can't have just one. Do you know anyone that does?

[Dean Seavers]

No, I know, I was just giving David a hard time because on another site he was lamenting that folks kept spending their energy and time buying more projects instead of rebuilding and restoring them and volleyed the idea of building what you've got rather than just buying more projects.

[david a luciani]

Dean,

hmmmmm, you caught me good this time
YEP that could have been me who just wrote that get it done post.
BUT i did say that if you were buying a kart for parts you needed it was o.k.
i said that because i knew i'd be bad sooner or later:
my name is dave and i have a VINTAGE KART PROBLEM!!!!!

In my defense i have been pretty good lately just buying parts to complete some karts .

i just got my four rebuilt engines from Rick Chapman, a mc91a, mc91b/1,mc101aa and a mc9.
i also have two mc10's ready, a n.o.s. mc91b/1 and a few mc91 runners just freshened.
i bought a hartman clutch lot 5 good complete lined clutches and enough stuff to make 12 more that need relining.
i bought three full sets of tires bluestreaks and carlise for my sidewinders.

i have everything but front spindles for my margay new breed sidewinder now.
that's staying as found i like it's worn look.

the gk800,the margay concept enduro are running now but race safe not pretty.

the bug sprint i'll be stripping this week and prepping for paint.
all the parts i needed are in hand and ready to install after detailing.

the margay Cheetah left is painted and in assembly, i got stalled on the seat position but have that issue resolved.
with a bit of luck it'll be finished in a week or two.

the Rupp is jigged up with a new axle needs a ride to the welder and that'll be moving along.

The 5 gk800's: one was sold to Bill Mack He's at least halfway done he made me two new steel seat and floor pans as each kart needed one or the other, he's making or made me a steering hoop and will be making the rear axle hangers i need when he gets a spec print. the one bad front axle is a problem i need to resolve. i have mint original azusa rims for two , gopowers for another and another azusa set that needs repair.for the early 3/4" seat tube one i have an original steering wheel , and the azusa cr@p disk brake n.o.s. . i don't have brakes for three of them.

so i have actually been practicing what i preach ,kinda sorta in the Dave method of doing things.


anyway the whole deal was too good to pass.
was cruising craigslist and there was these two karts for 200$ :
one was a trashed frame which i'll post before sending away just in case, it had two perfect gopower rims on it, a mint steering wheel and a swing mount that's a better fit for my gk1200.

the kavalla was secondary in my mind as the picture was not very good .
the kavalla was described as a red kart maybe a bug with "some kind of aluminum wheels with 4 spokes" i could see a decent swing mount on it,plus there was a complete bendix brake ,2 airheart disk pucks (new) some airheart spacers , three mystery spindle sets (new) and a couple of 3/4" direct gears in a box of parts.

so lots of good parts and selling items.
But as i warned everyone else because of that "GREAT BUY" i now have yet another leetle project to do.
that's along with working,building a casting shed and a bigger gas powered blast furnace (yes that project is still ongoing and will be posting a update soonish) and keeping the Boss lady happy by cleaning out the gardens she couldn't handle this year.

no wonder i'm tired all the time
DAve

[Dean Seavers]

...and broke!

Dean