1962 Gasser Minibike - 1-Page Vintage Mini Bike Motorcycle Article

Description

1962 Gasser Minibike - 1-Page Vintage Mini Bike Motorcycle Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
LIKE the ad says, man, it's new on the scene from
the Go-Kart Mfg. Co., in Azusa. Calif. The Gas-
ser is sort of a motor scooter, sort of a mini-bike, sort of
like nothing we have ever seen before.
The Go-Kart Company probably needs no introduc-
tion, but we will anyway. This is the firm that put
Azusa. Calif, on the map when they were the first firm
to produce and sell the then new motor sport “go karts”.
Since that time several years ago they have grown to be
one of the largest makers of these phenomenal little
racing cars.
An in-between stage for Go-Kart Mfg. has been the
mini-bike field in which they were also pioneers with
their excellent little “Scrambler” and “Big Bear Scram-
bler". With this history firmly in mind it is simple to
understand their latest venture into the fully roadable,
two-wheeled world of transportation. They chose to
call it a gasser. a decision we hope they don’t live to
regret.
The first view of the Gasser never fails to draw a gasp
over the beautiful paint job, a “candy apple”- lacquer
finish available in red, blue or green.
Construction is almost entirely of welded chrome moloy
tubing of unusual diameters. The main frame is made
up of a single, 214" diameter tube with a pair of 2"
“forks” running rearward, supporting the rear wheel.
The Gasser’s 68" overall length brings it up into the
full size motor scooter range, as do the 'IVi” pressed
steel wheels mounting 14" tires. It stands 29" from its
naugahydc-covered foam seat to ground level. Power is
supplied by a 3’/2 hp, 4-cycle Tecumseh engine, running
through a centrifugal clutch.
Standard equipment includes a dry-cell battery driven
head lamp with an upper and lower beam and the
brightest stop tail light to be found anywhere, which is a
safety feature no one can argue with. We like it. Full
fenders, kick stand, a rubber bulb operated horn that
must be called an “ooga”, rear view mirror, plus sensibly
arranged handlebars make it a fully roadworthy machine.
It is from the standpoint of controls that the Gasser
steers more towards karts, than scooters. The brake
control, on the left foot, actuates a kart type, spot disc
brake calipre that stops the drive sprocket on the rear
wheel. This is a system many karts have attempted but
rarely carried very far due to the inherent problems of
having oil on the sprocket which, on the surface anyway,
would seem to limit its stopping ability.
The throttle is operated by the right foot, actuating a
cable control to the carburetor. The only time this pre-
sents what must be considered a hazard is during slow
maneuvering as it is often that both feet are required on
the ground. The trouble begins when power is needed
at this time and the feet are occupied with balancing or
pivoting during a turn, particularly a sharp right hand
turn
No matter what it isn’t, the Gasser is an excellent
example of simple, basic transportation vehicles. The
case of operation has been reduced to its simplest, the
design is so clean it is almost plain, and it is light and
easy to move about for storage. The rugged Tecumseh
engine should run on almost endlessly with little or no
trouble, a claim not all engine makers can boast of.
The complete lack of suspension, though contribut-
ing in no small manner to its low price, is an inescapable
drawback from both the absence of a vibration dampen-
ing effect and the improved handling to be had with
some sort of springing. Although it cannot be ignored
that karts have prospered without any buffer between
the hard, cruel road and the driver's lower extremities,
the Go-Kart Co. obviously feels that success is its own
guide.
For only 9.00, they may be right.
CW TEST REPORT
The GASSER
A new face on the basic transportation scene.
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