Go-Kart Scrambler

GO-KART SCRAMBLER

Cycle World Mini-Bike Test

CW'S test bike this month emanates from a firm that has pioneered two significant motor sports, karts (or go-karts as they are mistakenly referred to), and mini-bikes. The Go-Kart Mfg. Company in Azusa, California, was the first firm to put mini-bikes onto a regular assembly line back in the early part of 1959. They were also the first firm to manufacture karts since the founders of the company were also among the found ers of the sport itself.

Since 1959, karting has come a long way, and mini-bikes are well on their way toward repeating the phenomenal growth of popularity that karts have undergone. The Go-Kart Company have been making their little Scramblers since the early days with little or no changes, and the tiny machine shown on these pages is identical in almost every detail to their first model. The Scrambler is probably the smallest bike on the market, and the Company has no intention of enlarging it, though they have been asked to do so. According to Mr. Bill Rowles, President, the demure size is a selling feature because two mini bike Scramblers will fit handily into the trunk of an average automobile or the luggage compartment of a light plane.

This singular requirement is certainly one to consider, but it is aiso to be con sidered a drawback when discussing the handling and stability of the bike. How ever, another thing in favor of the size of the Scrambler is the fact that it is just right for youngsters, and there are a growing number of young boys and girls riding mini-bikes. We consider this an extremely healthy situation; what better training ground for the younger cycle en thusiast could you find?

Several other factors enhance the value of a mini-bike as a training vehicle, the most important of which is the simplicity of controls. A throttle twist control and a brake lever are all that need be mastered by the neophyte, leaving his mind free to concentrate on balance and steering.

Our test bike was powered with a Power Products AH-58 kart engine of 5.8 cubic inches displacement and approximately 6 hp. Needless to say this is more power than is actually needed for a beginner, but for the experienced mifli-bike rider it is just about as much as the bike and rider can safely handle.

Maybe the staff at CYCLE WORLD is becoming too sophisticated on mini-bikes, but after a few full-throttle exploratory runs on the Scrambler we were all wishing it was a little bigger and that the handle bars were higher and farther apart, but, lightness and ease of portability are none theless significant advantages.

One of the few, and by far the most im portant, changes made to the Scrambler since early models is the addition of a spring suspended front end. It isn't really necessary to go into too much length of reasoning as to the superiority of having some kind of suspension on any cycle, much less a mini-bike. We had had ex perience on the earlier models and so were in an excellent position to comment on the extensive improvement in handling offered by the simple spring arrangement in the forks. Being so small a machine it is difficult enough to remain aboard under trying conditions, the suspension contrib utes heavily to the obviously superior handling of the newer model.

As in previous versions, construction is of welded tubular steel and a single in ternal expanding brake is mounted on the rear wheel. Though the bike we tested did not employ foot pegs, they are available as extras. We would endorse their pur chase as it is often a problem to find someplace to tuck one's feet. The frame tubes forward of the engine force you to turn your feet in at an awkward angle and it is difficult to keep them in place.

The Scrambler is painted in "candy ap ple" red and the rather skimpy seat is made up of a small pad of foam rubber, covered with black leather.

The Go-Kart Scrambler remains unique; it is small, very well designed and made, attractively finished, and sensibly priced at $219.00. We have been told that Go Kart is developing a new model and we will be looking forward to testing it. It should be a huge success, considering the current Scrambler. •