MTD - "Budgie"

Clutch linkage yay




Normal operation yay


Hmmmm jam the clutch pedal all the way down to the tire and it kinda inverses the clutch action. Kinda cool that that happens but i dont wanna die so it'll get a clutch stop i guess


I stole mutts belt and it kinda works but the belt wont really stop, even if i start her in gear. Makes for fun situations. Guess I'll be getting her an inch or two bigger belt than mutt uses.

Heim joints for the clutch linkage? Man you're not messing around! Looks good Rich.

Eh, they're just ones I had around. Thanks lol.

Wish I had some extra heims laying around!  

I think that was the last of my 3/8 heims, i have like 4 more 1/2" ones though

Belt system is looking good. I like the beefy clutch linkage.

I was a little worried it wouldnt be strong off, but i realized this isn't a push linkage like on mutt, its a pull linkage, and the levers are both moving up and down, rather than one up and down and the other side to side.

Put the new belt on and moved around the one idler. The belt really doesn't like to slip, but i think it all will wear in.

Other stuff ive done: turn pull start so i can reach it from where i sit. Stuff a plastic pipe thread protector in the dash for a upper steering shaft bushing. Put a throttle cable on. Put in a key switch for a kill switch.


I've driven mules that turn tighter than this thing.

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

The belt really doesn't like to slip, but i think it all will wear in.

I'm not really sure what you mean there? Could you elaborate?

The belt doesn't like to stop when i push the clutch, unless it's in gear

Little stretching and polishing the pulleys (break-in) and as long as you have some guides.  Should work out.  Hopefully the belt doesn't get chewed up.

I haven't had a problem with the belt coming off. Might put some guides anyways.

I had to add a couple engine and one trans guide to Kal so the belt would not grab on clutching.  Didn't need them to keep it on. 

The stock ones are still on the trans, guess i only gotta worry about the engine

Made a front belt keeper.




With that, it seems the belt problems are solved. I also cut tubing to space the rear wheels correctly so they arent walking back and forth on there.

Next... gas pedal, seat, and maybe some work with the front axle

Nice job on the belt keeper!

Thanks, i thought it was kinda meh myself. I reaaaaaly need one of those bench mount stock benders, you cant get perfect bends with just a hammer and a vise.

Put the seat from the RS on. Only had to drill 2 holes so that's cool. I also put the shifter thingy in, made a kingpin and put it in, and greased the front end and steering. Probably other things too but i dont remember.

(I have the foam part of that seat ill prolly duct tape on, it's not bad now though)


Now... reroute exhaust so i can have the hood on and gas pedal. We'll see how it looks then.

The Belt keeper is kinda bit overkilled LOL

paint the Frame and every body part from the inside black and the visible side of the body clear cloat.

None of this original paint is staying. It's uglier than yo momma.

I like the belt retainer design. Does the stock exhaust not line up with one of the headlight holes?

Nah, not quite. I'd rather have it pointing towards the ground anyways

Really like the looks of that old engine.

Me too. Shame it's getting replaced with a honda clone that i wont feel bad about abusing, when i get one

I've been eyeballing one for a project but they want $90 for it. Not quite feeling that much. LOL

Especially when a new one is $99!