Brakeing options

[juggle9]

Hey all, new to the forums,
I aquired a kart from a budy of mine that I work with. It is a home made kart with a 4 hp pressure washer engine. I want to do lots of upgrades, but my first concern is braking.
The system is has now is a peddle brake that looks like it just clamps around the drum of the clutch(like I said, I am new). The problem is, I really have to anticitpate my stops(takes about 25 ft to fully stop from top speed) and I am concerned about other people safety. Is there a better braking system I could add on to stop within 5 ft at 23 mph. (that is as fast as she goes for now). My dad owns a small engine business back home and said I can have a 12 hp snow blower engine if I want, But I NEED to be able to stop a lot better if I am going to upgrade the engine
Thanks for you help

 

[jeff_man]

stops the clutch, that will wear out the clutch. what you should do is add band brake, they are cheap, easy to install and has good braking ability. If your going to upgrade to the 12 hp you might want to buy a disk brake or a drum brake

 

[my_mini_bike]

if the kart currently takes a 4hp do you really want to add a 12 ??? i am picturing a rather small kart .. yes ?

 

[juggle9]

oh yeah, small kart, if I can figure out a way to put a pic, I will...
only adding a 12 cause my dad is going to give it to me...

 

[juggle9]

here we go

 

[kibble]

Awww dude that second pic looks like fun! BTW it looks like you'd have to do some modding to the rear end to be able to fit in that 12 horsey.

 

[juggle9]

stops the clutch, that will wear out the clutch. what you should do is add band brake, they are cheap, easy to install and has good braking ability. If your going to upgrade to the 12 hp you might want to buy a disk brake or a drum brake

O.k. maybe not the clutch...heres a good pic of a "horseshoe" brake...still does slow to stop

 

[my_mini_bike]

haha! a 12 horse power in that thing!! your gunna need wheelie bars man lol

 

[2or3wheels]

Looks like a band brake, its only 1 wheel correct? Does the wheel ever lock up? Maybe the band needs to be adjusted/tightened. I woulnt recomend having it lock up because it will slow down faster if connected to the ground theroetacally.?