Classic Invader Go kart build

[Jshamka]

Hey all Junior member here, but been riding go karts since I could hardly walk. I picked up this Invader chassis yesterday. I believe it’s a 1991-1992 RT Pro based off pictures I found on a website. The pictures don’t show the Top-Kart fiberglass seat or the brand new 212cc Predator engine I also got with it. It was only 150$ so I couldn’t turn it down, considering Harbor freight specials go for 100$ on sale. The guy bought it in a storage unit and didn’t know much about it. When I was checking it out today I realized when I turn the front wheels all the way to the right, the front left tire lifts off the ground about 3/4 of an inch. It doesn’t do it when I’m sitting on it though so it’s not too big of a deal to me, but I still plan to fix it. Just curious if any of you guys have been in these shoes. I’m going to get a KT100 motor in a few hours for 200$ Also curious if you guys think it’s a 91-92 or a 93-94. I’ll post more pics or a video of my situation if needed. Thank you

[Budget GoKart]

sadly i know nothing about it but AWESOME i wish i got a deal like that!

[Jshamka]

Thanks anyways man, and yeah my lucks been pretty good lately

[Budget GoKart]

Originally Posted by Jshamka

Thanks anyways man, and yeah my lucks been pretty good lately

seems like it! hey if you have space try to find a yerf dog i think you would do great things with one!

[Jshamka]

Yeah the spider cage ones or whatever they’re called are pretty nice but never find em cheap. Dual a arms and rack and pinion steering. This go kart I got now turns to the left great so Im curious if someone was racing it on circle tracks with an offset set up or something. Gotta look at it again. Im good at getting bent stuff back where it needs to be so regardless I’ll figure it out

[JTSpeedDemon]

Race kart frames are designed to flex.
As far as why it only lifts the left, I dunno. Probably is set up for an oval.

[Jshamka]

Yeah that’s what I’m thinkin

[Jet Provost]

Had one in the early 90's with a KT100 on it. Fun kart.

[Jshamka]

Nice! I just got the KT100 motor yesterday, they’re trying to sell the Horstman wet clutch on the motor for about as much as I paid for it. So that’s cool. But the resistance is all jacked on the ignition coil and they’re 165$ new. Still gonna fork up the change today and get one, or a used one I found that’s within spec for half the price

[Flyinhillbilly]

The tire lifting is almost certainly because of the setup. My open modifieds lift the left rear when I turn left and load both tears when I turn right. I do that to get it to enter the corner good by unloading the left rear and then bite with both rears when I counter steer into the slide. We hang these out in the corners like big cars.

[Jshamka]

Okay I understand, so my karts set up for ovals, or going backwards on the track

[Flyinhillbilly]

Who knows, some people mess with adjustments without knowing what they’re doing. Make sure the front wheels have the same number of spindle spacers and count the washers on top of and below the spindle. Those should be the same from side to side for playing. I don’t know if that on has camber/caster pills in the spindle mount, but it would be worth a look when you pull a spindle to move washers.

[Jshamka]

I checked all the washers and they’re all even. The only thing i noticed was off a little was the axle I measured the rear axle from the inside of the rim to the clamp by the bearing on both sides and on the right side it’s 2 and 7/8 and the left side it’s a solid 3 inches but it seems hard to believe a 1/16 of an inch off center would make it lift like that

---------- Post added at 05:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:12 PM ----------

But then again I’m pretty sure the rear axle has nothin to do with it. I’ll figure it out.

[wenee9w]

Are the axle cassettes slotted at the bolt holes?

[anderkart]

I wouldn't worry or change any settings until you start riding it, I'd suggest you wait and see how it handles & turns each direction first. The preveouse owner might have spent hours adjusting things to compensate for slightly bent spindles/chassis or a flexed-out frame.

Rod Van Deusen could positively ID your Invader if you sent him your pics and frame #'s:
Here's a link to his Invader website: http://www.vdm46.com/contact.html

---------- Post added at 08:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Flyinhillbilly

I don’t know if that on has camber/caster pills in the spindle mount, but it would be worth a look when you pull a spindle to move washers.

Yep he's got adjustable pills just like my old Invader had,
you can see em if you zoom in on his front end pic.

[Jshamka]

Yeah that’s my plan, just waiting on a used ignition coil stator I bought off eBay. This horstman clutch uses a 219 chain. Still haven’t decided if I wanna run it or put it on a shelf. If I do run it I gotta get a rear sprocket and chain cause everything I got with it’s #35. She’ll be clean clear to flag town in no time

[Jshamka]

Originally Posted by wenee9w

Are the axle cassettes slotted at the bolt holes?

No they are not

[JTSpeedDemon]

Oooooo, Horstman wet clutch!
I've always thought it would be neat to play with one of those.

[Jet Provost]

My old KT's were only good for like 15 hours between rebuilds. They ran hard and died young. Years ago I had a former Yamaha employee working for me. He knew everything about the KT's. He got me new motors for $550 back 20 years ago. They sure don't last like water cooled two strokes. I'm getting back into racing. Just bought a Daytona Anima 190 cc cart. It was allowed in the 125 shifter class. It is a 4 speed shifter. Ran a few times and won a couple. I own 5 race karts.

[Jshamka]

That’s a fine piece of machinery you got their. If this old motor turns catastrophic I’ll build some custom motor mounts and throw a dirt bike engine I got laying around on it. 20 years ago I was just making my way out of the sack. I’ve saved every nut and bolt I’ve found since. These KT100s ain’t cheap for miscellaneous stuff on them I see. Just got the Jean L. Genibrel book on them in the mail today.