Cheap starter go kart

[bajarocks]

I think I know what you're talking about, but for clarification, this is not the same as the idle mixture screw, correct?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Correct. The mix screws go into the carb body. The screw you want is entirely external. For the record, the engine must be running for adjustment, as the governor does NOT return the throttle to idle with the engine off. Secondly, if the governor is still buggered up, it may not allow the throttle to return to idle even with the engine running.

 

[bajarocks]

I got it to stop engaging, but the idle seems a bit low. I might just try it out and see if that's an ok idle speed for it to be at. Thank you!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

No problem, glad to help. Play with it a bit more, maybe you can turn it up just a bit and still not have it take off on you. Turn the screw only a wee bit at a time, and test between turns.

 

[bajarocks]

So I've got a few more random questions... First, I need new tires (or at least a new drive tire...) and I was wondering what types there are and which would be best for me. I'd be using it mostly on pavement, but i'd like it to have a bit of grip when I take it onto the dirt every once and a while. Donuts and drifting are also my kinda thing... So let me know what you think.
I would also like to know how ridiculous it would be to try and get disc brakes on the front tires instead of the flappy things on the rear.
Also regarding the clutch issue earlier, the idle is definitely a tad to low, as the engine likes to die on deceleration, but if the idle is a hair higher the wheel starts spinning. Is there anyway to make the clutch engage at just a little bit higher RPM?
Sorry for the laundry list of stuff, I really appreciate all the advice!

 

[landuse]

As far as I know, you can buy tougher springs for your clutch that will allow it to engage at higher revs. This will be confirmed or denied by the experts who comment after me.

 

[bajarocks]

I'll start looking around for a better clutch spring, that sounds like it should fix the idle problem. My pull start has a lot of problems with it locking up in the wrong direction... I've taken the bearings out and played with lubing them a little bit but the problem still happens quite a bit. It's a big pain to open it all up to get to these and fix it, is there anything I can do to keep this from happening?

 

[bajarocks]

Here are some picures of the pull start that is giving me problems. It locks up sometimes and it's really irritating to have to open it all up to fix it.

 

[bajarocks]

So my saga continues... I got that starter clutch all fixed up and now I'm back to my clutch problem. I've got the idle speed adjusted so far down that the engine dies at any lower speed but the clutch still keeps spinning the wheel. It's a max torque clutch and it sort of looks like the SS clutch. Is there anything I can do to adjust it?

 

[bighead]

set your idle with the wheels on the ground. Put it up to a tree and set the idel. With the wheels off the ground they spin easier. The karts weight will hold back the wheels some.

I am willing to bet that if you put it on the ground you can turn the idle up higher and not have it take off.

Are you adjusting the idle with the wheels off the ground?

If not bring that carb over and I will clean it.

If you are adjusting with the wheels off the ground. Then I think your clutch is working perfect. Do not change anything until you are sure of the problem.

Post a pic of your kart please?

 

[bajarocks]

I do adjust it with the wheels in the air because it is so violently willing to take off, but I periodically set it on the ground against the garage to check it and the wheel still just spins. And here's a picture, too.

 

[bighead]

Hmmm. How tight is your chain? Are you sure the cable is letting the lever on the carb close all the way? Post a pic of your carb.

Have you removed and cleaned the idle jet?

If you want bring that kart over this weekend. We will get you going for sure. Do you know how to clean the carb? How old are you? I am on the portland Gresham border. East county

 

[bajarocks]

The chain going to the wheel is pretty tight, but the chain on the clutch has a lot more play. I have made sure that the cable does let it close, but when it backs off enough the engine wants to die. I have not cleaned the idle jet and I'm not really sure where that is... Here are some pictures of the carburetor. Let me know how to do that. I also tried to take the whole thing apart but there wasn't much to open up, so I left it alone. Oh and I'm 17, by the way.

 

[bajarocks]

Just tried taking it all apart... It wasn't very successful. The carb is mounted to the gas tank with a rivet type thing that wouldn't come off. There wasn't much that I could find to clean there... should I be looking somewhere else on the engine for the idle valve?