Kart Rods

[Kelly Wood]

Update: With my vacation time coming tomorrow and everyone doing something else, I figured I'd pop on out & find out what was wrong with Sarge.

Last sunday's dirt proved something. The old tank I'm using still had something in it even though I've cleaned it numerous times. That "something" got in the jet & shut it down.

Pulled it, cleaned it out, back together.

A run through the neighborhood and she's back on her feet. Even handed out a business card to that guy that stopped me.

neat.

On with the next cleaning: Urban Defiance needs a carb cleaning & a different clutch... it's getting worn out.

On with some vacation time... at home.

Oh yes, something I want to mention.

After this weekend and running on that reasonably smooth dirt road I had some thoughts as I was getting thrown around a bit.

1. As I typed earlier and as I said in my interview, my rides are street racers, not off road vehicles... furthermore, don't jump a go kart with no suspension.

2. Folks, go karts can be dangerous, especially in off road conditions when you run small wheels such as the 5" ones like mine. No suspension, small wheels and speed can-and will-cause dangerous conditions. One wrong move and you'll be on your face at speed. And it can happen fast.

Be careful.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Whew- Glad to hear it was simple jet junk with Sarge. I was worried you'd sandblasted her from the inside out.

As for the words of caution- thanks for the PSA. I been saying this stuff for awhile, especially when folks come on and ask about trying to do 100 MPH on a yard kart. I run my rides on a pothole-infested gravel rural back road with a 50MPH speed limit. Getting anywhere near that number on an unsuspended kart with your precious bee-hind a mere inch or so off the road is downright spooky. Like you said- sneeze, and you're dead. I don't necessarily condone such things, but at least try to be smart about it. Have respect for what you're driving, and where you're driving it- and for the love of pete- wear a helmet!

Jumping? He//, no. Any questions? Do a YouTube search. Full of people trying to meet god, lined up for a shot at a Darwin award. Just... Don't.

 

[B.M.800]

1. As I typed earlier and as I said in my interview, my rides are street racers, not off road vehicles... furthermore, don't jump a go kart with no suspension.

My buddy and I managed to get small air with his one-wheel-peel kart off his bank. Barely manage to get all the tires off the ground unless you manipulate the rpms.

I think small air, just getting a couple inches off the ground isnt too bad on these karts, its when the inch becomes a foot is when you start having serious issues.

Anywho Kelly, I really like your idea of moving the axle way back on that manco kart. That will help so I can move the seat and engine back further. That ought to give me a bunch more room so my knees arnt banging off the steering wheel all the time.

 

[Kelly Wood]

My buddy and I managed to get small air with his one-wheel-peel kart off his bank. Barely manage to get all the tires off the ground unless you manipulate the rpms.

I think small air, just getting a couple inches off the ground isnt too bad on these karts, its when the inch becomes a foot is when you start having serious issues.

Anywho Kelly, I really like your idea of moving the axle way back on that manco kart. That will help so I can move the seat and engine back further. That ought to give me a bunch more room so my knees arnt banging off the steering wheel all the time.

Cool! Hope it works out, can't wait to see what you do. yea, I agree too. An inch or two is ok but more than that & you get into a situation.

Kelly

 

[Kelly Wood]

Update: Heading to an amusement park today but the morning was filled with 2 hrs of cleaning.

Urban Defiance here needed some love.

Off with the motor and on the bench to be cleaned & gone through tomorrow.

Cleaned the back end up, overall checked things closely, looking for cracks, etc. One left side crack in front of the engine, will have to fix that.

Cleaned the chain, sprockets, etc. Pulled the wheels, inspected them, all good there.

Then replaced the brake disc with something a little better, an older yet beefier energetics. The thin one I've been using bothers me for some reason. This also freed up some axle collars so I can use them on something else.

Also, the cleaning & checking has me wanting to change something. The color. I think it's time for a paint job. Since it's the first one, I may just go with a new coat of black on the frame, red wheels and the blue parts will become simply gray primer. After all, it's my original one and gray would look good. The blue has been cool but we'll see how it goes. Might do it, might not.

more soon.

Kelly

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I dunno Kelly- I liked the blue...

 

[Desertduler]

I like the blue also.

 

[itsid]

Ja, make it three of us that like the blue

'sid

 

[Kelly Wood]

ok ok, I'm hearing it from the wife too. Blue it stays.

Hmpfff!

 

[itsid]

Sorry Kelly

Well if you want a primer kart you might de-brown the thunder or (the way I see it)
have a perfect reason to buy another one

'sid

 

[machinist@large]

Sorry Kelly

Well if you want a primer kart you might de-brown the thunder or (the way I see it)
have a perfect reason to buy another one

'sid

I think we just found out what the "i" in "itsid" really stands for; "instigator".

 

[itsid]

Hu?

What, me??? I'm innocent <-- see?

Just because I had a vintage primered enduro kart in mind, doesn't mean anything;buy one!
yes it'd be looking good with just red and blue pinstriping on matt grey,imagine it...buy one!
chrome polished old school wheels and a wooden butterfly steering wheel;beautiful...buy one!
but that's just me
end of subliminal message

'sid

 

[Kelly Wood]

Funny!

Um... Update.

Day one of some vacation and I took a nap.

Then I woke up.

Much better.

Went outside & finished up Urban Defiance then put it away.

What do to...

Get back to the roots of this whole thing, that's what.

Brought out the slight failure that was Brown Thunder and thought about it for a minute, then off with everything.

Down to the basics.

Rolling chassis.

Off with all the artsy fartsy stuff (except for the front & rear pieces and the tail light)

On with the Briggs with the updraft carb...

Maybe some gray primer tomorrow & see where it goes.

Originally I was going for the 50's style car but it went too far and got too intricate and it just didn't work. Although I liked it, it's turning into something else.

Still with the 50's kind of flare to it, it'll be more of a throw down, all business street racer. Maybe some fancy stuff here & there but very few.

But the style is still there and the blocky engine kind of sports that chevy orange tinge to it so I could work.

Until tomorrow.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Nifty. What size is that Briggs?

And I don't know why, but I REALLY want an enduro kart...

 

[Kelly Wood]

I haven't run the numbers, somewhere from 5 to 7 is a guess, I'm not a briggs guy.

An enduro? Find a FLAT place to drive.

 

[itsid]

And I don't know why, but I REALLY want an enduro kart...

me too

I don't know somethings odd with the rear piece of brown thunder..
I guess the angle if you look at the side... can't tell for sure.
But you'll figure that out I bet.


Oh Kelly, what's with your contest mini bike? You know that you only have 10 days left or something?
or is that back on the shelf for now?

'sid

 

[Kelly Wood]

The minibike is on the shelf for now, just life gettin in the way. I hope the winner's creation rules.

 

[B.M.800]

Cool! Hope it works out, can't wait to see what you do. yea, I agree too. An inch or two is ok but more than that & you get into a situation.

Kelly

Ill be getting more of a chance to start working on it pretty soon. Atleast getting it cut and welded up. Im hoping I can go over to my brothers a bit more often and use his welder.

Aslo, starting the 28th I will be starting a 9 month welding course and providing all goes well I will get a welding certification. Im rather nervous about it though...

I haven't run the numbers, somewhere from 5 to 7 is a guess, I'm not a briggs guy.

I have a 6hp briggs with a carb like that. I think it has a 1in shaft though.

I recall reading something about briggs making a 6hp engine(like that) then replacing it with a 7hp of a different design... something to that effect anyhow.

Oh yes, I like how you have Brown Thunder axle way back. I was trying to visualize it when you mentioned it for my manco kart. I think it going to have to be like that...

 

[Kelly Wood]

Neat, mine's a 3/4 so I'm betting it's a 5. Governer is out, etc. Should be fun. This thing starts 1st pull every time and is pretty strong. Very little use, sat in a shed forever. Inside is clean as a whistle.

Good luck on your welding!

Post a pic of your kart from the side and I'll play with that if you want.

Kelly

 

[souperman000]

I was wondering what happened to the big B-Thunder.

You have 4 total correct? Or is it 3 complete ones?