Go Karts are coming back into popularity. At one time, most go karts were home made jobs with old lawn mower engines attached. Nowadays, go karts come in all shapes and sizes. You can get mini go karts designed for kids all the way up to high performance racing go karts.
Before you decide on whether or not to buy a used or new go kart, you must first decide on what you’ll be using it for. Taking a cheap yard go kart off roading will likely leave you with a busted and broken go kart.
When choosing to buy a used go kart, there are several important areas a buyer should check out before laying their hard earned money down.
The frame of a used go kart should be the first thing you check. You’ll want to give extra attention to the welded joints of the frame. Check for cracks in these areas. Also be on the lookout for bent framing members or frame sections that look like they have been recently painted. This may indicate a recent repair.
Wheels should be the next stop on your inspection of a used go kart. Support the front end on blocks and check for excessive play in the wheels. You can do this by pulling in and out on the wheels and then side to side. Once done at the front, go to the back and do the same thing. Loose wheels normally indicate trashed bearings.
Start the engine to see how it runs. If it’s hard to start or dies often, this could mean a problem with the carb or ignition. Also, if the oil is milky colored, it means there is water in it. Be sure to smell the oil to see if it has a gas odor to it or a burnt odor. Either one is bad news and may mean an overhaul or replacement.
The throttle cables, steering linkage and brake linkage should all be checked also. Rust or damage on any of these parts means replacment.
Check the cables that operate the throttle and all brake linkages. Worn, rusty or damage connections can mean big trouble down the road.
By following these easy to do tips, you can go a long ways in ensuring yourself of getting a good reliable used go kart. Using the advice above doesn’t take any special skills, just some patience. A dependable go kart should give you years of enjoyment.
To ensure you get the very best possible go kart you can for your family and you, simply follow the above tips and use a little common sense. If the deal sounds to good to be true, it probably is!
Tags: go kart parts, go karts, Cars, bar stool racers
