First time out.

[chancer]

Bummer about the axle but yeah they are not 60 bucks.
My two Azuza Karts have a solid wire throttle. Someone told me they were from a boat. I Think they are really nice cables compared to Bicycle junk alot of guys use.

 

[Psychanik]

Yeah I'm really glad landuse put up that link before I went ahead with the one I had in mind. Payday tomorrow so the plan is to pick up 2 tires and tubes on the way home. Man I can't wait to drive this thing. We'll see how bad the axle makes it shake.

 

[landuse]

Yeah I'm really glad landuse put up that link before I went ahead with the one I had in mind. Payday tomorrow so the plan is to pick up 2 tires and tubes on the way home. Man I can't wait to drive this thing. We'll see how bad the axle makes it shake.

No problem

 

[Psychanik]

IT'S ALIVE!!!......Well...mostly....

Weeks of work finally pay off as the blue streaker went out on its first test drive with me laughing maniacally behind the wheel. My wife tried to take a video but since I finished it up at 9:00 EST on the dot, it was too dark to see anything. Maybe tomorrow.

Couple things noticed instantly...it's quite a bit faster than I thought it would be. I found myself speeding towards my mailbox before I could think. Said mailbox obstacle brought along the second realization....this thing turns worse than a school bus on ice!! Thankfully a quick brake check followed by a stab of the throttle pointed me in a safer direction. Thirdly is the throttle adjustment is a little off and the return a little stiff. It's too dark to mess with any further but I doubt I get any sleep tonight.

It's been a while since I've felt like a little kid and the adrenaline rush of that first run leaves me wanting more. But for now I'm satisfied that it's at least moving under its own power. I'll probably be up early tomorrow terrorizing the neighborhood.

 

[chancer]

So I guess the old axle is working out. Awsome sounds like a ton of fun. I like the way you steer to. Alignment is cool and all that but forget it stab the brake, stomp the gas and point the steering wheel! wooohah!!
But after the fun wears off and you want to fix the steering. There are ways to do it and guys here that can help.

 

[Psychanik]

Well there is a noticeable shimmy, but not so bad as to shake the fillings out of your teeth. I may replace the axle down the road a ways. For now the focus will be on the steering and throttle. I'm afraid I'll have to replace both front spindles to get the ackerman correct. Both had obviously been broken and re-welded at some point and the geometry is anything but symmetrical.

 

[landuse]

Awesome!!

 

[Psychanik]

So...clutch problem? I'm currently running a max-torque I picked up brand new. The thing is from the get go it seems like it won't fully disengage after releasing the throttle. I come to a stop and hear a distinct ringing sound from the clutch. It doesn't do it on startup idle, only after driving and coming to a halt.

I've already verified that the engine is indeed returning to idle and no power is being applied to the wheels while this is going on. But it's enough to make noise and keep tension on the chain. Anybody else dealt with something similar?

 

[Poboy kartman]

Actually....my clutch makes a pinging sound at idle....you can actually see it move a little bit...(like trying to engage) ....but it doesn't even take the slack out of the chain....

 

[Psychanik]

It seems like it does take some of the slack out cause I see it jerk when I cut the engine off. If I restart the engine immediately there is no clutch noise until I drive it and come to a stop. Then the ringing continues. It's at least good to know I'm not the only one experiencing this. I was only worried that the clutch would burn itself out eventually just sitting there like that. But there seems to be no smoke coming out so I guess it's ok.

 

[Poboy kartman]

I'd say you were....