Brake master/caliper combo

[Avery]

Hey all I have what I’m guessing is a cheap Chinese cart. It’s a super small 2 seat kid cart. A KT20 Blade. I guess it’s made by Kandi. It had no brakes so checking out the caliper / master I found the reservoir was empty. I tried bleeding it out but I couldn’t get it to push the fluid out the bleeder. Anyone have a link for this cart? It’s a cool cart, electric start, reverse, high and low gear. Rack and pinion upper/lower control arms. I can get some pics if needed. Thank for the help!

 

[TBS99]

Pictures would help. Can't find that model number any where.

 

[Avery]

Ok added some pics of the part in question

 

[Avery]

 

[Karttekk]

Any chance you could do a gravity bleed? Add brake fluid to the master with the bleeder open and see if fluid eventually starts dribbling out of it. Take the bleeder out and see if it's restricted. That or disconnect the brake line from the master then pump the pedal to see if the internal master seals are working. Start closest to the master to see where the fluid starts and work your way back to the caliper if an option. Could be a restriction in a brake line.

Thanks

---------- Post added at 09:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 AM ----------

Looks like Blade is no longer in business. Maybe replace any parts needed with similar generic ones. Try http://www.buggydepot.com/ and ask if they can suggest something that will match up.

Thanks

---------- Post added at 10:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:48 AM ----------

Here is a Blade KT70 manual, maybe it will help.

https://www.familygokarts.com/pdf/manuals/blade/blade_50_70kt_owners_manual.pdf
Thanks

---------- Post added at 10:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 AM ----------

Scroll to Blade

https://www.familygokarts.com/parts_manuals

 

[Avery]

Thanks for the link. I pulled the bleeder out and blew they it, no restrictions. It won’t gravity bleed because of how it’s configured. If you notice the 2 philips screws that’s the cover where fluid is added. The bleeder sits a little lower, I opened it but nothing. Then with it open I activated the the brake lever, and occasionally it would spit a little fluid out. Never enough to bleed it out tho

---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 PM ----------

I checked the link and they had the owners manual and set up manual but not parts manual:-/

 

[Karttekk]

With limited resources and parts, all you can do now is guess cheap. No documentation so start with the cheapest component or replace the entire system; master, caliper and lines/hoses. This is one drawback of buying older, obsolete machines. You should be able to come up with matching or similar parts to get it going. At least we know what you're working on. Try plugging up the master where the brake line goes out and see if you can get a pedal that way. You'll know if the master is working at that point anyway.

 

[Avery]

Thanks for the reply karttech. I’m a mechanic so I get start with the cheap and work your way from there lol. The issue I’m having is this is a self contained unit. The master and the caliper are one unit. I’m finding it hard to believe that this cart was the only one ever made in the history of go carts. A cable connects to the brake pedal and connects to the unit in question as you’ll see in the picture. That activates the master which of course in turn activates the caliper. Keep searching....

 

[Karttekk]

That certainly is a unique setup. Any chance you can modify the brake system with something from another kart? Buy a master, brake lines and caliper from say American Landmaster or Hammerhead then weld a couple of support brackets where needed and upgrade the whole setup. It doesn't have to be hydraulic. My older kart had manual brakes with a spring loaded brake pedal, a long rod to the caliper and a caliper mounted over the rotor. Any markings on your master/caliper to identify a manufacturer? I'll keep researching this in the meantime.

 

[TBS99]

Pictures of the whole kart would help determine if other kart manufacturers might have used the same parts.

 

[Karttekk]

Not looking good. No one has ever heard of that setup or has any suggestions. More than likely you'll have to fabricate your own brake system.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

It's really not surprising no ones heard of it. Chinese manufacturers are only interested in making and selling them cheap.
To durn with replacement parts.

 

[Avery]

I think I'll start looking at bicycle hydraulic brake set ups

 

[landuse]

I think I'll start looking at bicycle hydraulic brake set ups

Extremely bad idea!!! Anything that was designed for a bicycle will definitely not work on a kart. Bicycle brakes are designed to stop a light bicycle going at a slower pace than a heavy kart. This conversation has been had several times the last few years. Things never end well

Look for a good hydraulic setup of a motorcycle

 

[Avery]

I’m thinking I may try to do a mechanical caliper if I can make the mounts work

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Mechanical should be less maintenance, but mechs are still very effective on a kart.