Go-Kart Restoration Issues - Research Paper Example

Name: Institution: Tutor: Date: Introduction A Go-Kart can be defined as a relatively small, suspension- less four-wheel vehicle that is often used for recreational purposes or ‘Karting’, as its enthusiasts would term the related sporting. The golden age of Go-Karts is estimated to be around 1956-1975, where its massive use was recorded. Art Ingels built the first go-Kart in 1956; America Company later became the first to manufacture Go-Karts, and McCulloch Company the first to make these engines. The simplest form of a Go-Kart is the Gravity racer, otherwise known as a soap-box cart or a Billy cart because it seems more like a wheeled box powered by gravity whereby the racing is taken down the hills (Green; 2007, 124). According to Bentley ( 2011, 54) Various shapes and forms of Go-Karts exist , ranging from high-powered and high performance Go-Karts used for racing competitions (like super karts) to the simpler versions used by children for recreational purposes. While people associate Go-Karts with children; the current global trend of increasing Go-Kart competitions has resulted in adults considering using them too. Since the vehicles have a higher adaptability to wide range of surfaces, they are susceptible to wear and damage and as such have to be restored to their original condition. This paper discusses how to restore Go-Karts and their various components. Restoration As highlighted by David (2008, 56) Go-Karts are almost similar to vehicles with some having many features similar to car features, especially In view of the powerful Go-Karts. The motorized Go-Karts are wide-ranging in terms of complexity as well as power (15-90Hp), whereby propane engines, alcohol-fuel, and electric motors are currently in use. Both four stroke engines and two stroke fuel engines are also used to propel the fuel-type Go-Karts. Restoring such machines therefore requires an in-depth understanding of their functionality (Savage; 2003, 24). Restoration is meant to return the condition of the Go-Kart back to its manufacturer’s standard or better than that if possible. Such repairs or maintenance are often carried out not only to rectify some obvious defects but also for cosmetic or decorative purposes. There is often confusion between restoration and its various forms including restomod (restoration and modification) and original restoration. According to Gidley (2006, 87), the difference between the two is mainly in the level at which changes are made on the Go-Kart. Restomod specifically involves preserving some Go-Kart parts while changing or updated other parts, hence a case involving update of some Go-Kart parts would be considered as restmod rather than original restoration or restoration. On the other hand, original restoration implies that the Go-Kart is made to be in the very state that it was purchased. Despite the Go-Kart types and the kind of restoration to be done, proper research is very significant in restoration of Go-Karts to the general authentic condition. Procedure Go-Karts may just be equally considered as American motor-sporting vehicle at their best. They also often wear off and develop mobility problems. In such cases many enthusiasts often pay highly to restore these Go-Karts to their original value or yet pay quite higher amounts to buy the fully-restored ones. However, despite the high amount paid for these fully restored models, the models may have been in the garage for a long duration until someone decided to restore them and send them online for such purchases. It is not that such people who restore Go-Karts are geniuses, but one thing true is that restoring these Go-Karts is as easy a project as anyone with excellent mechanical skills can handle. Restoration of Go-Karts may involve a complete overhaul or restoration of parts with minor defects. In most of the cases however, the Go-Karts are often in deplorable conditions that a complete restoration offers the only alternative. In such a situation therefore, a complete restoration is carried out that includes and not limited to refurbishing of the exposed/visible parts. These parts may range from the body, the wheels, the trim, as well as the seating compartment. On the other hand, as argued Bob& Ross (2002), other internal/invisible components of the Go-Kart such as the engine and its components, the frame, and the driveline also need consideration. Besides, Hann (2005, 67) also states that all the ancillary parts such as the brakes, all accessories, the cooling system of the gasoline engine, and the electrical system (especially in motor driven Go-Karts) should be given priority. Thus, even though a full hub cap may cover the wheel making its interior details invisible, and even though such a wheel may look structurally fine, the whole tire should be removed so that possible repairs or maintenance is conducted where applicable. Such maintenance may involve removal of rusts, straightening of various parts, painting, and also priming of the Go-Kart. All these restoration activities may be conducted in five main areas of the Go-Kart. Engines Engines are the components that provide the output torque for the propulsion of the go-kart. There are various engines that are used by go-karts including 4-stroke engines, electric engines or 2-stroke engines. While the 2-stroke engines are often used in racing karts, the 4-stroke engines and electric motors are often used in go-karts operating in the amusement parks. The 4-stroke engines are often standard-air-cooled engines with occasional minor modifications providing power of 5-20 horse powers. According to Hall (1999, 28) the notable manufacturers of the Kart engines include Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Kohler, Tecumseh and Robin. Some manufacturers, however, deal in very powerful engines with torque output of 15-48 horse powers running at an average speed of 11, 000 revolutions per minute. Such manufacturers include Yamaha, Swiss auto and Aixro. In terms of the two stroke engines however, the Touch-and-go 125 cc units dominate the popularity worldwide (Harold; 2004, 76). Despite the varying nature of engines, they all serve the purpose of providing torque for propulsion and as such are susceptible to various harsh conditions that often create engine wear, malfunction, hard start, or engine lock. During such occasions, engine restoration can be done in various steps. When the engine is an electric motor then the maintenance cost will be very low, as this basically needs the Go-Kart batteries to be charged after a given mileage, as stated by London (2003; 36). The possible things to be restored would include electrical connections and the brushes in cases where brushes are used. However, where the motor is brushless then the restoration cost is reduced further. These engines are smoke-free and pollution -free hence their tracks can be placed indoors in an environment that is well controlled (Boysen & Muir; 2011, 87). The most daunting task in engine restoration is found in the fossil fuel-based engines. Such engines have various minor components and often require checkups after every long mileage. The engines performing of oil-level checks and water-level checks for the water-cooled engines. A go-Kart restoration often requires a total disassembling of the engine parts, cleaning the components, inspecting them and replacing the defected parts. The engine restoration is therefore achieved through the evaluation of the overall engine alongside its related components whereby a method to return it to its original state is designed. The engine together with its ancillary components like the starter and radiator are examined and rectified to the factory standards. Engine, transmission and other related parts are keenly assessed; cleaned and checked for any wear as such shortcomings may form a deviation from the original factory standard (Jeff; 2006, 65). Additionally, every part including the moving parts must be viewed in light of the factory specifications, and if it is essential then they can be machined or can go through re-manufacturing process according to the original specifications. After analyzing these parts, a decision can be made on whether documenting the hitches is the best alternative or solving the problems/repair individually. After all the checks and rectifications have been made and some paintings done to refurbish its color, then the engine is taken back to its frame and tested and rechecked. This process will result in a fully restored and efficient engine that performs to its expected standards. Go-Kart engines often run at a higher revolutions-per-minute rate due to its small size hence a recommended duration after which the engine restoration should be considered would be b e after every 100 hours while in use (Smith; 2002, 26). iTransmission Go-karts engines often transmit power to the wheel using chains or pulleys and belts. The chains or pulley belts are connected are often connected to the rear axle where the power transmitted propels the rear wheels for movement. The chain is actually made up of steel pins that mesh with steel tubes while running inside them. The steel tubes can as well be referred to as rollers even though they don’t actually roll. These steel rolls actually rub against the chain in a rapid movement under the given heat, load and pressure. As such therefore, squirting a chain lubricant would likely be ineffective on the steel rollers until there is a time allowance whereby the specific lubricant is given time and allowed to penetrate in every pin as well as its corresponding steel roller. According to Bridgewater (2009, 34) the lubricant must be well spread whereby it must flow along the chain’s side links. In such a case it is recommended that sometime (approximately10- 12 minutes) must be allowed prior to starting engine not only for penetration purposes, but also for evaporation in order to avoid it being lost through the centrifugal force. On the same note, the alignment on both of the sprockets (main drive and clutch) are to be perfect so that the two sprockets can not rub against the links at the sides as such a rubbing will only result in wearing of the teeth and absorption of the horse-power (David; 2008, 54). However much maintenance is done though, the chains tend to stretch and wear out over time. This often is indicated by the falling off of chain from the sprocket. In detection of this therefore, necessary restoration measures have to be put in place otherwise the Go-Kart will be of no use at all. Champion, (2000, 64) states that the first step in such a scenario would be moving the engine either backwards or towards the front and slanting the engine. In the case of such a restoration, bolts have to be removed. Go-Karts often have four bolts holding the Go-Kart engine to the mount plate attached to the motor. The four bolts will have to be loosened and the engine be pulled back to the extent that a slop can be taken in this chain. While the bolts are getting tightened up it should be ensured that the sprockets maintain proper alignment. In case the sprockets are inappropriately aligned then the resultant consequence would be uneven sprocket wear or chain removal. A little play should also be left between the top and the bottom of the chain (about half an inch). However, during the installation of another new sprocket or even clutch, the chain should be replaced unless it is also new. Incase a new chain is to be cut then it should be of an appropriate length. Links can be removed but it is not recommended to adjust the length to a length of over half a link. Chains should not be too tight as this only puts more friction on the movable parts like bearings, and motor should also be tightly fixed to its position. Determining the chain pitch of a particular Go-Kart is also crucial during replacement of the same (Parks; 2006, 26). Chassis Chassis is the main frame of the Go-Kart that supports the weight of the vehicle. When completely restoring the chassis the body frame of the Go-Kart must be inspected and the subsequent repair be made on areas with defects. This should also involve coating recoating so that the Kart can be able to maintain its original luster. Repairing the frame is very important to the whole restoration process as it is the core of the Kart. As such, according to Martin (1996,72) this frame should be checked for straightness, mounting point conditions, alignment, rust, collision, and stress fractures. The detected problems should then be rectified accordingly, or in cases where the Go-Karts frame is worse then an alternative would be to purchase another frame from the Go-Kart dealers. The latter option is considered to be better since the replacement chassis often come galvanized hence providing better protection and durability compared to the repaired ones that might grow weaker due to water leakage hence rust. Wheels The wheels of Go-Karts are quite smaller compared to those of other vehicles. There rims as well are made out of aluminum or sometimes alloy. Cornering forces can be supported by the wheels up to 2 ’g’ or 20 meters per second squared, a factor that depends on the engine, the motor and the chassis. These may be rain, slicks, or special wheels. The rain wheels are often used in wet conditions, special wheels are for special places like ice and slick wheels are for dry weather. In restoring wheels, each wheel is to be taken apart and the bearings checked. The wheels can also be evaluated for any defects before being returned and grease applied. Incase the bearings are not good then a replacement would be crucial. The breaking system should also be checked, replaced where necessary and cleaned. The wheels should be cleaned first before spraying the original colour on it (Champion; 2002, 27). Conclusion Restoration is a significant tool in redesigning a Go-Kart’s appeal. It is a simple principle that emphasizes on retaining the originality of the Go-Kart. Go-Karts have been in use for several decades and are still evident in the racing competitions. World over, enthusiasts have expressed their interest in the restoration of Go-Karts and have thus developed a higher opinion of their restoration activities. However, it is only when a Go-Kart is redesigned to the former quality standard it was bought that it can be considered as fully restored. Reference Bentley, Ross. Ultimate Speed Secrets: The Complete Guide to High-Performance and Race Driving. Motorbooks; First edition , 2011. Bob Bondurant, Ross Bentley. Bob Bondurant on Race Kart Driving. MotorBooks International, 2002. Bridgewater, Julian. The Go-Kart Manual . Quid Publishing, 2009. Champion, Ron. Build Your Own Off-road Buggy . Haynes Manuals Inc , 2002. —. Build Your Own Sports Car for as Little as 250 Pounds: And Race it! Haynes Manuals Inc; 2nd Revised edition edition , 2000. David, Jack. Go-Kart Racing (Torque: Action Sports). Children's Press(CT), 2008. —. Torque: Go-Kart Racing [. Children's Press , 2008. Gidley, Memo. Karting: Everything You Need to Know . 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