Kids kart

[efatka]

Well I got the kids kart together today and ran it around the yard a few times. I'm having some major problems with the throttle, clutch, and drive tire. I'm going to replace the cable but can't remember how to measure it. Also I need some advice in how to secure the cable to the engine. Second issue is the clutch or drive. While cruising the yard the tire would just start spinning. When I would cut the throttle and power back up the tire wouldn't spin or move at all, I would just sit there. Is the clutch shot or what is going on? If you want to see anything else let me know and I'll try to get pics. Thanks for your time and advice.

 

[firemanjim]

Your tire (tires ) are spinning cause you're breaking traction. There is nothing wrong. Your gear ratio is at fault here. I don't know what chain you're running, but that axle sprocket looks huge! Big enough to step up to the next tire size.
Is that a live axle, where BOTH tires spin? Or is one of the wheels on bearings?
O yeah,

 

[Poboy kartman]

Jim...Jim...Jim...even with the lousy pics pn my phone. .....live axle. ...

 

[efatka]

It has two shafts, the tires are solid on the axle, and each axle is mounted on two bearing. Short answer one wheel drive. As far as breaking traction, that was over 300 pounds of kart and driver. I have never driven go kart before today but that seems like a lot of weight to be spinning out on dry level grass. I have been wondering about the axle sprocket as it barely seems to clear the ground. Running a 10 tooth drive and 72 tooth driven, I'm guessing 35 chain, and tire size is 15-6.00-6. What would a bigger tire size be and how would that affect the over all speed? It is a little faster than what I want, so if bigger tires would mean faster up would definitely be thinking more about re gearing instead. Thanks again for your time.

 

[OzFab]

Whether you change to a bigger tyre or a smaller axle sprocket, the effect wil be the same, higher top speed & less torque on take-off...

Apart from what Jim has already pointed out, the problem is you're using a turf saver tyre on grass, it's doing exactly what it was designed to do; if you want traction on grass, you need a knobby tyre...

 

[firemanjim]

Jim...Jim...Jim...even with the lousy pics pn my phone. .....live axle. ...

I was paying attention to what he wrote. Looks can be deceiving.....
EDIT op, to get a better ratio and keep those tires, you need a jackshaft. Bigger tires equals more speed..... You want about an 8.5:1 ratio maybe even 9:1. Right now you have 7.2:1.....
Unfortunately an 85 tooth sprocket won't fit under your kart, that's why you need a jackshaft to get that ratio, using multiple sprockets (4) to get a 8.5:1-9:1......

 

[efatka]

Would I be better off with a Jack shaft, gear reduction unit, or torque converter? The oldest kid is 7 and I can see her not giving it full gas the way it is set up now. She is pretty skittish which I why I want the karts, to get her used to speed and driving young, also to keep her interested in the garage.

 

[fowler]

u dont want a gear reduction u want a gear increase

the kart may have been owned by a big bloke who needed the extra power

u dont
u can acheive higher top speed by changine gearing
this will result in less torque sent to the wheels

and using those tyres as fabroman said
they are for ride on mowers
they are just supose to spin on the grass
not dig it up

if u fit tyres off a quad or similar knobbly tyres it will grip better
but will cause more damage to your yard

itll be a good lesson for her
if she learns to drift a kart on grass then her car control should far exeed most road users
would just freeze as soon as it slids

 

[Denny]

Is it my eyes or is the steering wheel, seat and pedals on the wrong side? You may laugh at this, but if the driver sits on the same side as the drive wheel it will do wonders for braking and driving. A live axle conversion is in order at the least if you want to keep the current set up. I have nothing funny to add.

Denny

 

[Poboy kartman]

is right...."drive wheel"..........done in by a split axle...

 

[efatka]

The seat is kinda centered. I think over the winter I'll take the cart back down and cage it, then move the pedals and steering and see about bench seating and two belts. Thanks for the knowledge y'all shared.