Newbie, looking to improve brakes...

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Karty2000

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I tried searching for a few minutes here before posting this but cant seem to find much...Can someone help point me in the right directions (links etc) on how to best optimize the existing band brake on these karts (mine is a 3203)? I dont want to change it to a disk but I'm wondering if there is a way to increase the stopping power of the band brake...Its currently adjusted pretty well but stopping is really more of a 'suggested input' than an directive!

Appreciate the help and apologies for a post that is probably very common...
 
crazykart

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I'll tell you the best way to increase the stopping power of band brake...


Now shh don't tell anyone...


It's a secret...


You ready?


Set....


Ok....


Here goes....



Switch to hydraulic, or even manual disc brakes.

Great secret huh?

No seriously though, band brakes suck, we all know it, and they're a pita to get right and adjust to where they can actually stop a kart in a good distance, and not just slow it down over a large distance.

Now it can be done, adjusting them juuuusssstttttt right, but my best advice is to fiddle with them forever, or deal with it, or make the switch and love the fact that you can now stop when you want to stop lol.

Idk one of the other guys will help you. I hate band brakes.

---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 AM ----------

Starting to sound like the Poboy...

Sorry been a long bad night...

That and band brakes really do suck lol
 
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Karty2000

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crazykart said:
I'll tell you the best way to increase the stopping power of band brake...


Now shh don't tell anyone...


It's a secret...


You ready?


Set....


Ok....


Here goes....



Switch to hydraulic, or even manual disc brakes.

Great secret huh?

No seriously though, band brakes suck, we all know it, and they're a pita to get right and adjust to where they can actually stop a kart in a good distance, and not just slow it down over a large distance.

Now it can be done, adjusting them juuuusssstttttt right, but my best advice is to fiddle with them forever, or deal with it, or make the switch and love the fact that you can now stop when you want to stop lol.

Idk one of the other guys will help you. I hate band brakes.

---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 AM ----------

Starting to sound like the Poboy...

Sorry been a long bad night...

That and band brakes really do suck lol
Click to expand...

thanks! are there any well known posts of projects on how to convert? I'm assuming there arent any 'bolt on' kits...?

Thanks again
 
kevin.st56

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depending how its made, make a new brake rod mount maybe a half inch to an inch higher up on the pedal.
if its slightly farther away from its fulcrum, you will get more travel, and more travel will aid in putting more tension on the band, making a little more powerful.

but I agree with crazykart, disk brakes in general are better than band brake, and having it hydraulic is more better
If money is limited, then you can opt for mechanical instead of hydraulic
 
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ForceFed86

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I agree disc is the best bet.

That said... Spray it all down with brake cleaner. Sand the inner band and outer drum with 320 grit. More pedal leverage as mentioned works well too. All will help... but it's a poor design by nature for a "fast" kart.
 
crazykart

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Yes, ebay and atv brakes. If you want to go cheap and the kart doesn't go super fast you can go to a mechanical disc set up for around the same price.

Look around on this page http://www.mfgsupply.com/gomini/gominibrakes/gominibrakesdisc.html

Disc is $30 caliper is $20, shipping is $6 well if your in the USA. With that I would use a rod just like your band does.

Or ebay search atv hydraulic brakes, you cab get a master, line, and caliper for about $50 give or take, then just get a disc.

Setting up depends on your kart and such, so need pics to help, etc.

Try doing what was mentioned above first, might get a lil more stopping power on that band.

I just have a personal hatred of band brakes lol.
 
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Karty2000

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crazykart said:
Yes, ebay and atv brakes. If you want to go cheap and the kart doesn't go super fast you can go to a mechanical disc set up for around the same price.

Look around on this page http://www.mfgsupply.com/gomini/gominibrakes/gominibrakesdisc.html

Disc is $30 caliper is $20, shipping is $6 well if your in the USA. With that I would use a rod just like your band does.

Or ebay search atv hydraulic brakes, you cab get a master, line, and caliper for about $50 give or take, then just get a disc.

Setting up depends on your kart and such, so need pics to help, etc.

Try doing what was mentioned above first, might get a lil more stopping power on that band.

I just have a personal hatred of band brakes lol.
Click to expand...

thanks. Its a yerf 3203 stock right now.

Are there any project posts you guys remember here that have a conversion documented from band to disc? thanks
 
OzFab

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Although I don't disagree with most here (yes, band brakes suck) The OEM would not have used them if they weren't up to the job, something is wrong with your system...

- Brake linings harden over time, making them ineffective; a new band may solve the issue
- No brake lining will grab properly on a shiny surface; as previously suggested, take to the drum with some emery cloth to "dull" the surface
- The activation rod or band mounting point may be bent, diminishing the pedal response; double check all mounts & bends in the rod; also check pedal travel vs band movement; as also mentioned, the amount of pedal travel may be insufficient to properly activate the band
- There's always the chance that the system was simply set up incorrectly by a previous owner; post some pics of your setup so we can verify...
 
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Karty2000

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Ok. Here are some pics. I hand sanded down the brake drum with 320 grit and then tried it out. No change. Looks like maybe things aren't lining up very well..





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
machinist@large

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You're band lining is contaminated, and need's to be replaced. Someone might have had this WONDERFUL idea of keeping the drum from rusting while the kart was parked, and hosed down the whole thing with WD 40 or something. You usually see that shiny black surface on a friction lining when its been contaminated with some kind of petroleum product.

As for the drum, it's glazed up pretty good. Degrease it with brake and part cleaner, then hit it with 80~120 grit sand paper in a dual cross hatch pattern, with each direction ~45° from the direction of rotation.

As for the band hanging a little off kilter with the brake released, that's not a deal breaker; the important part is that it center's up on the drum when actuated.
 
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