Getting The Next Generation Fired Up

[Kidasters]

Late last year, while talking to my 10 year old daughter - the topic of a go-kart came up.  I don't even remember why.  Anyway - a good report card and Christmas promises resulted in a very unique shopping experience.

 

Once nice day, we took the 911 out sans Targa top, and drove up to a Kart store on the north side of town.  I think we looked at the Ferrari of karts:  electric start, disc brakes, everything.  And it better be for $1800.  Nope.  

 

Surfed Craigslist.  People that post there are crappy about returning e-mail and phone calls.  The one guy that we were able to talk to led us on a wild goose chase and about an hour of driving before we gave up.  Very disappointing.

 

Surfing the web more led us to "Go Karts of Texas" - a rather dumpy looking place on the south side of town.  After two trips (and pointless negotiations that went like this; me- "I'll give you $300 for the lot", him - "Nope"), we came home with the Manco Interceptor.  4 hp of fury.  Two flat tires and a questionable engine.  No drive chain.  No seat.  Worn out clutch.  No brakes.

 

Some tinkering and a friend and I got it running!  Over the last week and a half, the parts have rolled in, and my daughter has been pretty good at helping me work on stuff.  She even has her own set of stubby wrenches!  I think she'll get to drive it this weekend.  We'll see.  

 

Pics when the event happens.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kidasters]

Success.  

 

Got the seat together today.  Chain guard in place.  New clutch on the motor.  

 

 

 

I can't see it, but I think there's a big smile in there someplace.

[jgerock]

Ok - now that's cool.  Like the blue and yellow combo.  She needs some good driving shoes though.

Edited February 1, 2014 by jgerock

[Kidasters]

Ha.  Her mother commented that it's probably the only kid in the neighborhood with a go kart, driving it in ballet shoes!

 

I'm just happy she's having fun with it.  I wanted to get it together so she could enjoy it for a bit before we take it all the way apart.

 

At the same time, modifications are ongoing.  Performance exhaust is in the mail (yeah - seriously).  The other thing I like about it, besides having a father/daughter project, is that she is listening and being really careful.  We have a rule that, if she sees any cars on the street she's to pull to the curb (we live in a cul de sac, so I don't fret too much).  She was roaring down the street, and out of the blue - she just pulled over.  I yelled "What are you doing?".  

 

She just pointed.  3 houses down, a car was backing down the driveway.  I didn't even notice it.

 

I'm hoping this will help her develop good habits for later, when the kart is a car.....

[ray_]

Cool!

 

Cheers,

[Jim_75Sahara]

In the not-too-distant future, the boys will find her interesting: looks, smarts AND a darn good driver!

Edited February 5, 2014 by Denker

[Kidasters]

Woof.  Stop.  I don't want to think about that.

[jgerock]

Enjoy the time spent together with your daughter while you can.  

[Kidasters]

Yep.  That's the #1 lesson here.  I am.  I'll sit in the driveway all day and watch her zoom up and down the street.  Fantastic.