Finally some progress

[shake this]

I just thought of something...I think I have an old 2.5 on a single row tiller in the back of my storage building that might be perfect. I might pull it out and give it a try. It's a 2 cycle but might be just the ticket if it has enough torque to get her moving.

I think your gearing will be perfect for her, you've done an awesome job building it and she's going to be so excited.

Thanks for all the advise, I'll be spending the next few nights getting everything figured out and hope to have good things to report this weekend.

 

[rgvkid]

Im not sure how the smaller 2 strokes hold up on Karts. I was told the smaller HP ones aren't as good as the 4 strokes. It sucks having to put more money into a project you thought was already close to being done. Hopefully the diaphragm will do the trick for you. Don't forget to try the Mystery Marvel additive. I used that stuff every oil change in my ford ranger and got close to 250,000 miles out of it before it started giving my troubles. Plus 2 strokes need to be rebuilt more often and you have to worry about the mixture and settings. But its worth a shot if it pushes good enough. As long as its running by her birthday, you can always do upgrades in the future.

I took Anderkarts advice on the Heel Chokes. I used rectangular tubing and cut the bottom off to lighten the weight and add some dimple dies. Im also hoping that the 7 yr. old can use them as heel risers. Im worried that even with the seat pushed all the way forward, that she won't be able to reach the pedals. I'll have to bring a pillow or padding just in case she needs to be pushed forward a bit.

The Kart is stripped down now and I painted the frame and a few other parts last night. I still have to paint the wheels and put back together today, hopefully. Heres the pic of the choke and also the headlight mount. Its a piece of 1.25 tubing which seats the Harbor Freight Freebie, with coupon, LED Flashlights. The flashlights are 1in. OD so it fits perfect on the piece of 1.25 tubing seat and lights up pretty good. I single Hose clamp holds them in place nice and tight.

 

[shake this]

I would assume the less torque of a 2 stroke might have issues when using a smaller engine to get something like a kart moving. Might not be the best choice but at least it might work as a back up.

Picked up the diaphragm at lunch and ran out to my brothers shop to install it. The things we do for our kids. LOL

It seems to be running much better, it idles better and doesn't seem to have the bog when you first stab the gas. Didn't have a chance to run it very long but I think it might be ok. At least it's running well enough for her to ride it this weekend.

Maybe I can go to bed this week before midnight now that this battle is over...I HOPE

Sorry that I kept highjacking your thread but at least you got some free bumps out of it.

 

[rgvkid]

Sweet! Hopefully the diaphragm will do the job. One thing i would suggest is maybe a chain gaurd. On the 3rd test run, i busted the chain at the key link, Maybe i didn't set the key all the way. The kart had a small Chain and clutch gaurd just covering the clutch area. When the chain snapped, it kicked the chain up and forward and smacked the top of the chain gaurd hard wnough to leave chain link indentations. It could of definitely broken the skin if and arm was in the way. Hence i extended the chain Gaurd all the way to the rear. Better safe then sorry and tears

I hear what your saying about things we do for the kids. Im sure your thinking , like me, that I had no idea it would take this much work to put a Kart together. But I know the reaction of her face when she sees it will be well worth the time put into it. Make sure you video tape the first time you present it to her, those moments are Priceless.

 

[shake this]

The chain gard I have pretty much wraps around the clutch area and then goes out toward the drive sprockets. Looks like a mountian peak, it's pretty solid so I think we are as safe as we can be in that area.

Video will be set up so we can catch her as she walks out the front door.

 

[redsox985]

Don't 2 strokes have more torque cc for cc?

 

[shake this]

For some reason I want to say that a 4 stroke makes better power in the lower RPM's then a 2 stroke of the same size. That's why a 2 stroke will rev higher, it needs to stay in the powerband. At least that's how I understand it in the motorcycle world.

 

[rgvkid]

Yah i have had 2 stroke mOtorcycles also, But with teh smaller engines pushing that much weight, I think you will more then likely have heating issuses and seizing if it gets to hot. Plus 2 storkes need chamber exhaust pipes to have the right amount of back pressure. But then again look at the tiny 2 stroke goped engines, those things fly.

 

[rgvkid]

So far the Kart is running good but i am having some issues with turning. At higher speeds it wants to push the front end rather then turn.

Also, the front tires have about 2 degrees positive camber. Not sure if this is a problem or not. I lowered the pressure down to about 12psi to see if it will contact across the full front tire. It helped a little bit with the steering but still wants to push on higher speeds or sharper turns.

Im going to try and tweak the front end to 0 degree camber and see if that helps. Any steering suggestions would be appreciated.

Im really impressed at the degoverned 2.5HF engine. I cahnged the rear sprocket to 64 which helped with take of but didn't lower the top end that much. Its still pretty fast!

I have to take some daylight pics to show it completed after Paint.

 

[anderkart]

Are you sure you just didn't install those spindles on the wrong side?
There's some pretty good setup info here: http://www.racemates.nl/PKinfoTech_kart chassis setup_2.html#_Toc529198884

 

[shake this]

Take some shoe polish (the liquid type) and draw a line across both front tires. Take it back out for a spin and notice the ware marks and this should tell you what the tires are doing during hard turns. Once you know this info, you can better set up camber.

 

[rgvkid]

Okay Its finally done, for now at least. Once i get new rear wheels and a race seat i'll take it to do a track day and see how it handles on a Kart track with the 6.5. As for now with the degoverned 2.5 its more then enough power for her in an open parking lot. I put a stop on the gas peddle to regulate the speed a bit until she gets used to the kart. As for now, it runs and handles great. I was going to shoot some daylight video yesterday but unfortunately it rained. But here are some pics.

Hope you like it.

 

[shake this]

Man that is one kick a$$ little kart and I would pimp it even with the pink. She is going to freak when she sees it. You did a great job.

 

[rgvkid]

Thanks man, It handles great! I took it to a warehouse parking lot and ripped all over it. It takes turns like its on rails. I rewelded the spindles so now they have 0 degree Camber and full wheel contact.

Last week her mom got sick so we couldn't get together. So she had to wait till yesterday for her surprise but then it rained so i didn't bring it home. The suspense was killing me so i presented her with the helmet and showed her a pic of it. She freaked Out! She thought i was making her a lil kick scooter or something. She's ecstatic and can't wait till this weekend to ride it. Im definitely building another one for me and all my cousins, brother in laws and uncles want one now also. They also said they would rock the the pink. But they don't realize how much work goes into one of these. Im sure the next one i can build in half the time.

Shake did you show your daughter hers?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

That is sooooo.....

...PINK!!!!

Looks awesome, man! Great work!

 

[redsox985]

I can't wait to see photos of you driving it at the track!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I can't wait to see photos of you driving it at the track!

...Just hopefully not a DRAG strip!!!

 

[redsox985]

***Crank up volume before clicking...***

 

[shake this]

Shake did you show your daughter hers?

She got hers last weekend.

She absolutely loves it.

 

[anderkart]

rgvkid, Wow that turned out awesome man!

Have you considered adding a second kill switch on the steering wheel? It'd be easier for the kid to reach if the throttle ever stuck wide open.