Front end damage

[V8Blazer]

Hey folks, tell me what you think.

Just picked up a kart thinking it had a loose front end or adjustments to be made. Bad camber on one wheel. Closer inspection showed it clearly had a front end impact to the right front wheel. They must have been standing on the brake at the time because I can see where the pedal bent, now its soft. Front right spindle hangar seems deformed.

My thought is to cut off the front 1.25" square tube, weld on a new one along with new hangars, spindles and a brake pedal.

Also, concerns were expressed concerning the larger tires. Will this be an issue for the factory differential? I'd rather not swap it for a straight axle if I don't have to.

 

[jandj]

When you weld on the new piece of tube, use a section of slightly smaller tube as a spud inside the existing tube.
And yeah, those tires look monstrously oversized, but that’s just my personal opinion.

 

[V8Blazer]

I think I'm just going to do the whole front tube with both spindles.

I may look into some smaller tires. These are the same size as our Honda Odyssey... huge, but they sure look mean.

 

[mckutzy]

I dont think it has a differential... Kinda hard to tell with the motor mount in the way....I think the concern will be with the TC... but I think you should be good...
The TC experts will have to chime in on this one...

On other note.....You have quite the odd throttle setup.... direct to carb.... Do you know if the gov is still installed and removed properly or just diabled....

Also looks like the throttle cable has quite the restrictive routing....Could you post a pic of the Left-top area of the rear end..... I think they're might be a few other minor issues afoot..

As for the front end... All that looks kinda minor.... could be bent back... carefully slice off the gusset and front bullbar. Using a big bar/pipe or the like tweek it back a bit, weld back the gusset and bars.... Using a BFH, tweek back the spindle mounts straight, as the other side...

Thats what I see off hand....

 

[V8Blazer]

For sure they did a hack job on the throttle cable, and that will be addressed. It looks to me, with a cursory inspection, the governor was disabled somehow. The side case has been off, so maybe they opened it up to remove it. Maybe a Mikuni and cable at the same time.

 

[mckutzy]

Hmm interesting.... it does have a Diff... 'ill be...
I see when they mounted the air filter adapter thingy, they didnt make a tab to retain the choke lever....probably why its missing.....

I would however suggest lest you want a crank case full of gas/oil... try to remember to turn off the fuel petcock, these carbs have a bit of a lazy leak into the cylinder and thus into the crankcase(im sure its the same for big blocks)...
I have had this a few times in the last long while(albeit small blocks)... once almost a full tank of gas......Ironically it ran fine.... until I noticed it was dripping...(these dont drip, its a Honda(clone) not a Harley)Then an inspection of the oil, cap shooting across the shop as I cocked it open a ways.. I guess pressure build up of the hot gas, it needed an oil change...

If they did open it that would suggest that the gov internals are gone... however...AFAIK.. the apparent use of gasket maker and not an actual made gasket might lead to a different problem, the improper amount of shaft end play..... the gasket sets this... the more expert engine builders will have to confirm this, as they would know if this is an acceptable practice.

 

[V8Blazer]

You've given me a few more things to add to the list of things to investigate, I appreciate it. I am usually pretty good about using petcocks. I had a similar experience with an old motorcycle not long ago.

There is also some popping on letting off the throttle. With the filter element and open header, I imagine the motor is running lean. I plan to fab a longer exhaust with muffler, so that may tone it down a bit.