10-02-2016, 10:21 AM
GoKart series karts were built in California in the early sixties.
GoKart 400's were made in the very early days of go karting and were pretty simple machines. The original sales brochure would allow purchase of a frame in knock down you weld it you add engine, welded and assembled without engine and also assembled with several engine options.
The main colors were candy apple Red and candy apple Blue, Green GK400's were made in limited quantity and custom colors could be had if one knew who to ask.
There is no one absolute "correct version of any of these GoKart series karts.The Factory would modify their racing frames and if improved immediately implement the changes to the production models. In fact there isn't a racing gokart company known to my knowledge that didn't follow this pattern of production.As racing machines the buyers expected the very best version. They would actually complain if it was noticed that the factory team production frames were different from the models sold to the general public. In the days of GoKart racing team there were rumors of a super light frame built out of extremely thin walled tubing that they were using in National races. As there was no weight restrictions in the early years ounces of weight were critical issues in a close fought race. This was not considered cheating as back then just about any innovation or modification was allowed.
As Go Kart racing evolved Rules were designed to make races more even handed. There is still alot of debate over whether making each vehicle exactly the same is good or bad but that's another subject.
This example is a second generation gk400. The biggest difference between these and first generation was the addition of the cast aluminum steering wheel.Another "tell" would be the side wings on the seat added to aid in keeping the driver in the kart and off the pavement.
General ways to I.D. a GK 400 2nd series kart are as follows:
Aluminum Steering Wheel (3a in slide show) with Go Kart cast into the center. The kart in the slide show has an original wheel see picture #. Typically these steering wheels are welded onto the 3/8" shaft but they were also pinned or bolted in place.
A dropped front axle, except for the very first version Gk series karts were all built with dropped front axles.
Wide hoop steering support, through the series all gk karts were built with a wide hoop.if you happen to find a narrow hoop or single tube steering support but everything else indicates a gk kart check the welds on the steering column. Karters were never inclined to remain factory correct so steering hoops were changed to driver taste on occasion.
A cast Steering wheel with Go Kart cast into the center. The steering wheel will be welded or pinned onto a 3/8" steering shaft the steering arm at the end a simple 90 degree bend. This actually may be missing if the kart was in competition in later years. A rules change required replacing the non splined steering wheel hub with a splined hub secured by a pinned nut.Further the bolts in the steering were also required to be pinned.
A fixed rear axle with rear wheels on bearings. these are called a "dead" axle. The power from engine to wheel is transmitted by chain to a gear mounted on the wheel. This dead axle set up is also why most early karts came with dual motor mounts. They were designed to accept either right or left hand engines as most engines were built to run either way. These karts could accept two engines and often were set up that way but the original purpose was simplicity in manufacturing. The idea was one frame fitting everyone's needs. A customer could order the standard frame and then fit an engine of choice on it.Making engine mounts on one side would have complicated availability and costs in shipping.
Steel wheels were mounted on most early karts . The wheels pictured here are considered correct but it would not be wrong to find an era correct different version ofg the wheels. manufacturing was extremely loose and if supplies of a part weren't available from the usual source substitution was common.
Tie rod ends(1c in slide show).The big difference with gk series karts is in the tie rod ends.Correct ends are as pictured in the slide show # pix. They are aircraft quality dual bearing ends with tiny 1/4" bolts holding them together. This example still has the original tapered arms extremely rare. These tie rods were later banned as being too small for competition.Otherwise the front steering is typical of most early karts.
Gas and Brake Pedals (1a in slide show) = the pedals pictured in the slide show # are the correct pedals.it is not unusual for these pedals to be missing or replaced
Slide Show Pix 2nd generation gk400