Mini Mercedes Father Daughter Go Kart Project

I started working on this old Mini Mercedes Go Kart that my Dad had bought at a car auction when I was a kid in the 90's.. I used and abused it alot until I got the 73 Barracuda around age 14.
 

My Dad told me to come get it and give it to my daughter.

So a bit of father Daughter Resto Work Begins.

Searching for another 2.2HP Honda G100 Engine...I roasted that thing from a 4 cycle into an oil burning 2 cycle a long time ago..  It has a 2 Speed transmission and reverse with a proper clutch for the kiddies to learn stick!

I pulled the body off the frame and Began to Clay Bar / Rubbing Compound and Wax what's left of the Paint / Gelcoat after sitting in the Sunny Showroom Window at the dealer for the last 25 years.

2 Speed Box with R!

I did get the Muffler and Pipe Cleaned Up.

Greg

So frikn' cool!

Can I be your daughter? That is the coolest kart ever!

In reply to buzzboy :

Yes, but you have to do work..  and If daughters' have Jobs or income which I assume you do, then help out with some of the parts co$t and sweep floors when it's time to clean up.

Yep I think that covers it.

Greg

What is that gearbox? It's really cool seeing a box like that with an actual clutch. What type of clutch is it?

In reply to buzzboy :

I will clean it up and post some detailed pics.  It has a wet clutch inside..

Best I can tell these were made in poland or germany.

Greg

In reply to buzzboy :

Here are some More Pics of the 2 Speed +R Gearbox:  I got Most of the Box De greased, 'cept the bottom, The thing sits so low no one will ever see it.

Seems to Not have any Hallmarks or Company ID's that I can tell... Just some Numbers and stampings that don't mean much to me.

20200626_130354 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130400 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130415 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130427 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130434 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130503 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130541 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130546 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130606 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

20200626_130610 by Hyperpack, on Flickr

Greg

Welcome on board ;) I have 4 mini Mercedes like yours.

Some called them Mercedes mini Lorinser because Lorinser was one of the sellers of his small cars.
In fact they were built in the 1980s in Poland by the Alpha company and sold at some Mercedes dealerships, mainly Germany and USA.
I couldn't find the brand that manufactured the gearboxes either, but it was probably also a Polish company.
In Europe it's quite easy to find a used Honda G100 engine.
More information is available on my blog: https://minimercedes.com
I wish you a good restoration.

Claude (from Switzerland)

Thanks Claude.

I have rebuilt the G100 with a donor engine from a honda EG650 Generator.

THe cranks were different so I had to swap the piston and con. rod onto the original crank.

I have to now replace the clutch cable and retrofit the brakes as I cannot find any gokart brake pads that are close to the original caliper's specs.

Maybe I will get it done for summer this year... it's been apart in my basement for the winter.

Greg

I had the same problem with the brake pads. I couldn't find pads to replace those of my first mini Mercedes that were totally worn. 
Finally I replaced the complete brake with the one from a Porsche 911 junior. In principle all mechanical parts are interchangeable between the different models produced by Alpha in Poland (Porsche, Audi, BMW, etc...).

Claude

In reply to cwacker :

Claude, can you provide any Links / Info for the 911 junior brake parts?

Thank you much!

Greg

Well, plans kind of changed.

I Did Find another Honda G100 Engine, Swapped all the parts over etc.  but was not happy with how it ran, carb tuning etc.

So I decided to go another route.

I have a student that runs his own battery business building bespoke electric skateboard batteries and the like.

I asked him if we could collaborate together to retrofit the wimpy Honda G100 2.2hp with a battery and modern electric skateboard motor.

So it now has a custom 50V battery, custom Motor controller etc. - We made an adapter plate to mount the electric motor to the Midplate between the engine and the trans so it Still has the transmission and clutch.

Its tunable and controlable. I will hafta get some pics of the battery and electric motor under the trunk.

Daughter is enjoying it.

In reply to cwacker :

Thanks Claude!  Good to know.

Some shots of the Tesla Conversion:

Bye Bye Honda G100, Hello magic pixies...

Gasoline Starting Procedure is sort of null and void now. :-)

50V Battery plus outer runner Skateboard Motor - Keeping the 2 speed Box from Poland.