Shawn's Birthday was May 30th, his 13th, it was on a Friday.  Friday the 13th birthday.  Reminds me when my 13th birthday was on a Friday, on the 13th.  13th birthday on Friday the 13th.  I was so nervous that Freddy Kruger was going to get me.  My parents were aware of this and made it extra special with a pricey present I wanted.  Turned out the be one of my best birthday memories.  I wanted Shawn's 13th, on a Friday, birthday to be one he would remember.

I took Shawn out go-kart riding with my friends in "the pit".  They have a total of four go-karts.  It was a blast.  My friend Alex has a friend that was selling a go-kart for $200.  We took a look at it the next day and bought it on the spot.  It was used, fairly well used, needed some work.  After spending another $200 for a new sprocket, new chain, new brake pads, new front tires, ten cans of paint, some welding, new throttle cable, an eight dollar can of chain lube, new piece of wood for the seat and a full week of work, Shawn finally got his $400 13th birthday present.  This present stays at dad's house!  he he......

The kart ran great for the first half of the day out in the fields around my house.  Once we took it out to "the pit", it started acting up until finally it was no longer fun to operate.  It just keeps dying all the time and then a royal pain to get re-started.  I think it needs a carburetor rebuild, another $40 and a spark plug.  This looks like it's going to be an expensive hobby.  The gift that just keeps on giving....  I guess 8 hours of hard core non stop riding is more than it can take.

Since the 5 HP motor is so problematic and feel it is a little underpowered for such a large cart, I found a 9HP electric start on EBay for $300 and bought it.  It was a bit larger than I thought and now need a larger torque-converter system to install and use the larger motor.