04-07-2022, 04:14 PM | #1 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4
|
1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
I recently brought home a 1972 Harley Davidson golf cart that I inherited. This was in my Grandpa's barn for 35+ years, and since I was a kid I always thought that it was the coolest. When I say that it was in the barn 35 years, I mean that this cart has not moved or ran for longer than I have been alive. The good news is that nothing seems locked up.
I do have some mechanical aptitude, but there's a lot to do and I'm not really sure where to start, so any guidance would be appreciated. I did download the manual and that has been helpful, as have other threads on this forum. Some things I know I need right off are a battery, new primary clutch, and to get an air filter on it. Due to how long it has sat, should I go ahead and try to do a compression test, or just plan on tearing the engine down and rebuilding it? Also what are some other common things to look into as I get started? Any guidance is much appreciated, and I would love to pick the brains of some people who have restored these carts. |
Today | |
Sponsored Links
__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum |
|
04-07-2022, 04:56 PM | #2 |
VC 460 CLONE GONE WILD
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Ray BY The Bay NJ
Posts: 10,633
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
Unless you are REAL lucky that primary clutch is going to be tough to find
|
04-07-2022, 08:31 PM | #3 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Ohio
Posts: 455
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
THAT THING IS AWESOME!!!! it has 70's goodness all over you need to put a record player and some Elvis albums and that thing would be great but I'm in the same boat I'm fixing up a 71 I think but it does not have as much 70's goodness
|
04-08-2022, 08:24 AM | #4 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 2,943
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
What makes you think you need a clutch? I don't think you can tell if those are good or bad unless the cart is running.
I have resurrected a lot of carts that hadn't run in years so it 100% can be done. Start by cleaning the fuel system, obviously. Flush everything with fresh gas and put a new fuel filter on it. Put a battery in and give things a whirl. A compression test is a must. It should be 90+ psi but a bit less will be ok. It's likely that the gaskets are no longer good.....cylinder base gasket, head gasket, reed gaskets, and carb gaskets but, who knows, you might get lucky. |
04-08-2022, 11:37 AM | #5 |
VC 460 CLONE GONE WILD
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Ray BY The Bay NJ
Posts: 10,633
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
It looks like the primary clutch is missing ? Is that correct ?
|
04-08-2022, 03:54 PM | #6 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
The primary clutch was taken off at some point, so I will need pretty much everything after the front driving flange. I attached a picture of that. It looks that the pulley in the picture might have been someones workaround to see if they could drive it without a primary clutch, not sure.
My initial assumption is that the gaskets are likely bad. I will plan to go ahead and get it in shape do a compression test to see what I get. |
04-08-2022, 03:57 PM | #7 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
|
04-09-2022, 03:31 PM | #8 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Indy
Posts: 166
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
Is that a 6 spline shaft?
|
04-10-2022, 07:21 AM | #9 |
VC 460 CLONE GONE WILD
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Ray BY The Bay NJ
Posts: 10,633
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
2 things to know about before you get in too deep $'s wise. 1 How is the connecting rod to crank pin fit. If that is bad the bearings and crank pin are made of near unobtainium. 2 is can you find a primary clutch. Without those 2 areas in good shape it makes buying other parts kind of a waste.BUT that being said most of the other parts are out there somewhere.
|
04-10-2022, 11:22 AM | #10 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 2,943
|
Re: 1972 Harley Golf Cart Project
Man, those clutches are tough to come by. You may need to call vintagegolfcartparts.com to see if they can get one together for you.
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
1972 harley cart project on my youtube channel | Gas Harley Davidson | |||
WTB harley gas golf cart project near WV | Golf Carts and Parts | |||
1972 Harley Electric Cart upgrade | Harley Davidson | |||
1972 Harley cart has no power | Gas Harley Davidson | |||
Trying to start up a 1972 Harley Davidson golf cart | Gas Harley Davidson |