3 Bolt Wheels Question

[Wamba]

My kart has 3 bolt wheels (2 1/4" center of hole to center of hole, does that sound right?).

I'm looking for a good source for additional (bigger) rim/tire options. My kart is currently set up with dirt track grooved "slicks" but, you guessed it, I'm looking for more ground clearance (currently running 5" rims, with a 6" on the right rear).

 

[sikbrik]

Same basic story here. Subscribed. Sorry I'm no help

 

[bob58o]

Here is the bolt pattern stuff.
I don't know about fitting tires on rims.

Standard US racing kart bolt pattern.

 

[bob58o]

How tall is the tire in the picture?
13"?

Are you using it for oval track racing?
If not replace the 5" wheel in the rear with another 6" wheel and throw some 15" tires on the 6" rims.

This looks like a 15" tire for a 6" rim.
Which would give you an additional inch of clearance if you have 13" now.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...UcSH2gVi7-Ac_P7O3uLiRfSDAgUk7BKRoCSHkQAvD_BwE

Seems like 15" on a 6" rim is about as big as you can get????
And they seem to be around 6" wide.

How wide are your rims?

 

[bob58o]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hi-Run-...CWLYQAvD_BwE&dclid=CI6U4qv8sdwCFQYYPwodybgN6w

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hi-Run-...CW2UQAvD_BwE&dclid=CI7Fo6qGs9wCFUqpaQodBHsN7g

 

[Joe-405]

The tire in the pic reads 12x9.00-6 bob.

 

[bob58o]

The tire in the pic reads 12x9.00-6 bob.

Thanks I think I got something in my eye. I've been squinting all day at work and it is red and uncomfortable. Still managed to get a phone number looking like T-800 Terminator.

I really cannot read that tire.
____________________________________
I don't think you'll be able to put 6" wide tires on 9" wide rims.
Is the Rim 9" wide like the tire or is the rim smaller?

Are all of the tires / rims 9" wide or just the one?

 

[Wamba]

Here is the bolt pattern stuff.
I don't know about fitting tires on rims.

Standard US racing kart bolt pattern.

Thank you. I appreciate the information.

I am willing to replace the rims to run bigger tires.

 

[Kansaskart]

That's weird, I just did the same thing yesterday. One of my karts has those type 3 bolt rims. Took a walk thru my mower junkyard and robbed some snapper rear engine rider wheels off the rear and they fit right on.

 

[anderkart]

Wamba, I'm assuming the rim in your pic is for your racekart, right?

____________
I agree your rim has the US-bolt patern for racekarts, not the Metric bolt patern.

I've seem quite a few guys install 13" or 15" tall Turf tires on their racekarts using 6" diameter rims, that are 6" wide.

Just wanted to let you know these 6" diameter (US-bolt patern) rims are available with various different back-spacing/offsets. Rims with most any off-set will typically work fine on the rear of racekarts with tall turf tires; but these taller tires on the front commonly end up rubbing against the frame when your making tight turns...

For this reason, I'd suggest you order your new front rims, (6"wide X 6"diameter) with the 4" offset. This will position the tire further out-board and allow you to make tighter turns before the front tires start rubbing against the frame.

This online shop has 6"-diameter/6"-wide Douglas brand rims with the optional 4" offset: http://out2win.com/catalog/douglasus.html#6
But I'd suggest you call/email them before ordering, and explain your situation just to make sure you'll be selecting rims with the offset you need

PS:
Most racekarts have adjustments for additional ground clearance. The frame will typically have 3 different sets of bolt-holes for the rear axle bearing cassettes to bolt onto. And the front spindles will typically have serveral spacers that could be relocated by simply removing the king pin bolt.

 

[Wamba]

This online shop has 6"-diameter/6"-wide Douglas brand rims with the optional 4" offset: http://out2win.com/catalog/douglasus.html#6
But I'd suggest you call/email them before ordering, and explain your situation just to make sure you'll be selecting rims with the offset you need

Ok, I'm a newb and feeling kinda dumb here...

6.00"A (2.0"B + 4.0"C)
(A=Width / B=Inside / C=Outside)

"A" Means, the rim is 6" wide?
"B" Means, 2" from where the wheel bolts to the hub to the inside (frame side) of the rim?
"C" Means, 4" from where the wheel bolts to the hub to the outside (non-frame side) of the rim?

Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[anderkart]

Ok, I'm a newb and feeling kinda dumb here...

6.00"A (2.0"B + 4.0"C)
(A=Width / B=Inside / C=Outside)

"A" Means, the rim is 6" wide?
"B" Means, 2" from where the wheel bolts to the hub to the inside (frame side) of the rim?
"C" Means, 4" from where the wheel bolts to the hub to the outside (non-frame side) of the rim?

Am I understanding this correctly?

Lol, don't feel dumb ~ I owned/raced karts for several years and was kinda confused by those specifications too... That's why I suggested you call or email them before ordering, and ask which one of their ordering options will offset the rim furthest outboard

 

[bob58o]

All you guys had to do to learn your A,B,C's was scroll up.
Inner rim half is B and is closest to frame.
Outer rim half is C and is away from frame.

6" wide rim (3B + 3C) will be closer to the frame than a 6" Wide rim (2B + 4C) by 1".

If I'm not mistaken... I've never even looked at racing wheels before this.
Looking quickly online, I didn't find any 6 x 6 wheels with more offset than the (2B + 4C).
Still call to confirm.


Is changing the front wheels even necessary? Will not changing just the rears give you the clearance? Maybe you need front clearance. I'm not sure how low racing karts sit. I'm used to trying to get clearance for a rear sprocket, not the actual frame.

 

[anderkart]

Good catch there Bob, I missed that

I'm not sure how low racing karts sit.

Race karts usually only have only around 1" of ground clearance, front and rear. They want as low of center of gravity as possible.

It's not uncommon to discover the bottom of older racekart frame-tubing to be wore part way through into a D-shape, or even wore all the way through into a U-shape, from rubbing against bumpy or uneven track surfaces...

 

[Wamba]

Wamba, I'm assuming the rim in your pic is for your racekart, right?

PS:
Most race-karts have adjustments for additional ground clearance. The frame will typically have 3 different sets of bolt-holes for the rear axle bearing cassettes to bolt onto. And the front spindles will typically have several spacers that could be relocated by simply removing the kingpin bolt.

Yes, this is my "race" kart.

There does not seem to be any height adjustments in this frame.

:-(

 

[Kansaskart]

I went tire shopping today. Free used snapper. No engine. Rear tires near new.

 

[sikbrik]

Yes, this is my "race" kart.

There does not seem to be any height adjustments in this frame.

:-(

I thought that about mine, too, and it's not much but if you unbolt the axle hangers/bearing holders (for lack of a.better word...mine had 3 bolts and hold the axle to the frame.) Sorry for being redundant...i know anderkart already mentioned this but it's worth a double check. There's not much adjustment but unbolting that allowed me to choose 1 hole about 3/8" lower in the frame and the other 2 were slotted. I have room to someday go back and add another hole and extend the slots for about 1/4" more. Moving the axle "down" in the frame adds ground clearance.

Up front is a different story...there were thick washers at the top and bottom of the spindle. I had to take the spindles off and move both washers to the top instead of one top/one bottom. Again, as a 3/8" thick washer/spacer, this is all we gained up front. Was it worth the trouble? Well...it took about an hour and every little bit helps so I'd do it again if I had too. It's certainly not the same impact as adding a 2" taller tire, though. In our case, on a cadet frame, bumpers and bodywork need to come off to fit even a 12" tire.

Hopefully your kart will have these same adjustments. Good luck and rest assured that you're not alone, we're in the same boat as far as starting point and end goal.

 

[Wamba]

I thought that about mine, too, and it's not much but if you unbolt the axle hangers/bearing holders (for lack of a.better word...mine had 3 bolts and hold the axle to the frame.) Sorry for being redundant...i know anderkart already mentioned this but it's worth a double check. There's not much adjustment but unbolting that allowed me to choose 1 hole about 3/8" lower in the frame and the other 2 were slotted. I have room to someday go back and add another hole and extend the slots for about 1/4" more. Moving the axle "down" in the frame adds ground clearance.

Up front is a different story...there were thick washers at the top and bottom of the spindle. I had to take the spindles off and move both washers to the top instead of one top/one bottom. Again, as a 3/8" thick washer/spacer, this is all we gained up front. Was it worth the trouble? Well...it took about an hour and every little bit helps so I'd do it again if I had too. It's certainly not the same impact as adding a 2" taller tire, though. In our case, on a cadet frame, bumpers and bodywork need to come off to fit even a 12" tire.

Hopefully your kart will have these same adjustments. Good luck and rest assured that you're not alone, we're in the same boat as far as starting point and end goal.

Thank you. I will be sure to take a closer look.

 

[Wamba]

Is there a 3 bolt to 4 bolt conversion hub?

 

[bob58o]

http://www.minichopperssocal.com/HUB-ADAPTER.html