Go kart gearing issues

[StevenMike]

Hi all,

I recently have been putting together a offroad single seat go kart. I've fitted a predator 459 on it and a noram 1600 series clutch. It has 22 inch tires, 14t clutch sprocket, 60t axle sprocket. I'm having issues with getting the kart to move with my 260lb self driving without roasting the clutch. Any suggestions on how to gear this thing better?

I need more torque!

 

[Denny]

Yes, take the Noram clutch off of the engine and throw it as far as you can away from you so it never comes back! EVER!
Go on Amazon and get a 40 series CVT kit and install it according to instructions. But take the belt and throw it beside that Noram centrifugal clutch. Get a GENUINE COMET BELT to replace it with. The cheap Chineseum belts are made from pvc and boiled yack grease and cause nothing but problems. Use a 10 tooth sprocket from the driven and 60 tooth on the axle #40 chain or equivalent.
This is a proven to work setup! Not a waste of money and time.

 

[StevenMike]

Yes, take the Noram clutch off of the engine and throw it as far as you can away from you so it never comes back! EVER!
Go on Amazon and get a 40 series CVT kit and install it according to instructions. But take the belt and throw it beside that Noram centrifugal clutch. Get a GENUINE COMET BELT to replace it with. The cheap Chineseum belts are made from pvc and boiled yack grease and cause nothing but problems. Use a 10 tooth sprocket from the driven and 60 tooth on the axle #40 chain or equivalent.
This is a proven to work setup! Not a waste of money and time.

Yikes norams are that bad? I just bought this thing brand new...

 

[redflash]

Centrifugal clutches are great for asphalt racing a 65 lb kid. Not so good for a brick like you on dirt. I know because I'm a 215 lb brick. With that clutch you conceivably have some power on flat smooth dirt, but you could never get up any kind of incline without frying it. Denny's right most of the time ....and he's really right on this one. listen and learn

Da Redflash

 

[Denny]

No, not bad clutches at all, when used the correct way. A big tire off road kart is not the right way however. And with 14 teeth is even worse! I’m not making fun of you or trying to be a jerk. Just trying to educate you. Off road always use a CVT.
Constant
Velocity
Transmission
With one of the 40 series kits on there with a Comet belt it will be more fun and have more power than ever.

 

[StevenMike]

Gotcha, will a cvt have any issues with water? I'm planning on making this cart a creek buggy so it will encounter water and sand pretty regularly.

 

[Denny]

Belts don’t like water. But neither do centrifugal clutches for that matter. For a creek machine a motorcycle engine would be better.

 

[panchothedog]

How deep of water do you plan on running this in? A bit of wetness and the belt might slip some, depending on how much load you are putting on it.
as long as you take normal rust preventing measures once home I don't think it will hurt it.

 

[StevenMike]

How deep of water do you plan on running this in? A bit of wetness and the belt might slip some, depending on how much load you are putting on it.
as long as you take normal rust preventing measures once home I don't think it will hurt it.

Possibly a foot of water in some spots.

 

[panchothedog]

Good thing you got those 22" s. As long as you're not in a really high stress
( load ) situation I would think you will be O K. We have run ours on the beach
down in the wet sand ( certainly not a foot of water ) with no issues. I guess
you'll find out.

 

[Denny]

I would still go with a motorcycle engine. I guess it won’t really matter anyways the thermal shock to the hot engine from the cold water will wipe it out anyways.

 

[madprofessor]

Constant
Velocity
Transmission

Denny's correct as usual, Noram clutch is a good one, but as it sits right now you'll burn it out quicker than you can replace it. A 40 series CVT with a genuine Comet belt is the only way to go. One little correction, not that it really matters....................
Constantly
Variable
Transmission

 

[Denny]

Denny's correct as usual, Noram clutch is a good one, but as it sits right now you'll burn it out quicker than you can replace it. A 40 series CVT with a genuine Comet belt is the only way to go. One little correction, not that it really matters....................
Constantly
Variable
Transmission

Your right it’s variable I got CV joints on my mind. When did you get out of prison?

 

[madprofessor]

When did you get out of prison?

When the judge signed the divorce papers. Free at last from that last one, fourth time of sentencing myself, going to obey the laws of bachelorhood from now on.