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"In the swingin’ 60’s, the majestic Turf Rider Mark IV could be seen parading around the nation’s finest golf courses. This teal and white king of the country club rolled through the greens for years before being retired.
Now, years later, broken down and abandoned, its former glory long since forgotten, the Turf Rider has been salvaged."
-Tim Zamanigan
The Turf Rider Mark IV came into our possession around May 2010. Since then, we've been working on it through time set aside from school and other activities. We had the cart functioning at the beginning of the summer, and it took us until the end of summer (late September for us quarter system kids) to get it back together, and rust free. Once school started, it turned into a weekend project that saw much neglect due to myself and other team members living on campus nearly 45 minutes away. However, once winter break came rolling around, it was time to get the Turf Rider Mark IV back to functionality.
Here's a video that shows it's current condition:
There are still plans to further improve some aspects of the cart, but those aren't being pursued as "top priority." Most likely, they'll be saved for weekends where I get bored, or run into some extra cash.
We've still yet to actually register our vehicle with the DMV. It turns out though, that it can legally be registered as a moped.
"A "motorized bicycle" or "moped" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy)."
-Califronia DMV Website
You've probably had enough introduction banter. Here's my little safety spiel:
WARNING: I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INJURIES YOU MAY RECEIVE BY ATTEMPTING THIS KIND OF REPAIR/RESTORATION. THERE ARE RISKS FROM ELECTRIC SHOCK, USING TOOLS, AND DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.
BE SAFE AND ALWAYS WEAR PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
..and on with the show!
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Signing UpStep 1Initial Condition
The cart we purchased had quite an extensive history of abuse and neglect.
First off, the standard Turf Rider Mark IV comes with a canopy. Ours had either been modified to have it removed, or the previous owners removed it themselves. There are holes in the fiberglass body where it would attach, as well as some metal poles sticking out from the frame that are supporting nothing.
Secondly, they painted over the standard Teal and White paint job with a "beautiful" maroon red which has plenty of cracks and chips in it. This also means that there are a good 4-5 layers of paint and primer to sand through. Fun stuff.
Thirdly, there were some modifications to the seats. I can only assume the standard leather began to crack and rip after 40 some odd years of use, so the previous owners appear to have re-upholstered it with a gaudy zebra stripe pattern. That very same zebra stripe seat cushion has stayed on the cart all the way until 2010. It's dirty, very dirty.
Fourthly, (Fourthly just sounds weird) This cart has been left outside for the duration of it's lifetime. The frame is almost completely covered in rust. The rear axle is covered in a rust dirt combination that's clumped itself together.
This will take quite some time to fix up.
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Dar
I LOVE YOUR SITE AND INFO I JUST GOT A TURF RIDER 4 .
IT IS ALOT BETTER CONDITION THEN WHEN YOU STARTED.
I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO DOING A RESTORATION ON IT..
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS WORTH, BUT WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE AN IDEA...
HDTERRY7@COX.NET
Alex, I can help you out with some of those future upgrades, since I have quite a bit of experience with Fiberglass/Resin and Plastics.