My Go Kart Thread

[JapanKarting]

I just realized I should have posted this in Photo Gallery & Project Log, if need be, can a mod move the thread? Thanks

Instead of keep updating my original thread in the introduction sub-forum, I have decided to make a dedicated thread in the main forum to talk about my kart. I will post all future material regarding it here. Should make it easier to view all in one place...

Update;

So the kart been fully assembled. I got a chance to see it on Sunday, but that day was reserved for full cars to use the track so I wasn`t able to test it out. Plan to take pictures / video on Wednesday, so I should have some good stuff to show then.

In the mean time I have bought the following gear:



http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...16-Helmet.aspx


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/Karting-Suits/c2/p291/K-1---Level-2-Karting-Suit/product_info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/p310/Oakley---Balaclava-I---Single-Eye/product_info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/Karting-Gloves/c3/p323/Oakley---Karting-Gloves/product_info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/p314/Oakley---Base-Layer-Long-Sleeve-Top/product_info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/p312/Oakley---Base-Layer-Bottom/product_info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/Karting-Shoes/c4/p322/Oakley---Kart-Shoes/product_info.html


Total spent on gear: $780 USD.

I am having it sent from the U.S. when it arrives at my residents there, so it`ll be a good 3-4 weeks till I get my hands on it sadly.

Whats left for me to buy are:

- Ribtec 3 (I have a free rib protector, but assuming it doesn:t do the job, i plan to get this)

- 360 Plus Device from Team Valhalla. I have been looking around for a good neck brace, and from what i found, valhalla is the best there is. So I am leaning towards purchasing this when I get some more money together.

Some other info:

-When I saw the kart he told me as a direct start, its pretty hard on the body (pushing it etc) without the trigger behind the seat for assistance. He wanted $60 for this though, so I am going to give it a shot on Wednesday without it and see if I really need it or not...

-He also tried to sell me a time keeper that attaches to the steering wheel for 200 bucks..... Doubt ill get that.. doesn:t seem very worth it..

 

[JapanKarting]

Whoa... push starts are hard work.. I was worked to the bone.. Managed to do it right a few times but the **** engine can't dieing, because I kept climbing in to fast heh.

But it was a pretty good day overall. Here is a link to see pictures of my kart.

http://img831.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=pict0012jq.jpg

I am really new to karting so please let me know if you can tell me anything about my kart.. engine etc..

I am pretty sure its a two stroke, as I had to mix oil and gas together, and I know its a direct start, but other then that.. nothing..

Thanks

 

[sideways]

That's a Yamaha KT100 engine, bloody good engine they are. They were designed and built specifically for go kart racing. They would have to be the most popular racing go kart engine of all time, for good reason too. There are basically unlimited modifications you can do to those but classes usually require stock engine, you are allowed to "blueprint" them of course but that's usually $$$.

Very, very nice looking kart, I think you got a pretty good deal there!

Push starts are hard work hay? How did you do it? Did you simply push the kart along or did you lift the back, run holding the back up then drop it?

Thanks

Hayden

Edit: Yes, your engine is 2 stroke.

 

[JapanKarting]

That's a Yamaha KT100 engine, bloody good engine they are. They were designed and built specifically for go kart racing. They would have to be the most popular racing go kart engine of all time, for good reason too. There are basically unlimited modifications you can do to those but classes usually require stock engine, you are allowed to "blueprint" them of course but that's usually $$$.

Very, very nice looking kart, I think you got a pretty good deal there!

Push starts are hard work hay? How did you do it? Did you simply push the kart along or did you lift the back, run holding the back up then drop it?

Thanks

Hayden

Edit: Yes, your engine is 2 stroke.

Thanks for all the information, yea I was really pleased by its performance. In comparison to the standard pull-start I drove when I rented it at the circuit this direct drive picks up speed much faster from the beginning, I can barely go full throttle on the course the kart is that fast.

Chances are I won’t do any medications, but it’s great to know if I choose to there are tons I can do. The owner told me this engine is practically brand new too.

Thanks for the compliment, glad to know I was ripped off heh. I paid about $1200USD for it (but in Japanese yen its closer to my 1,000 due to the exchange rate). I took some video walking around the kart, here’s the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=595bY4JavCo (you’ll hear a lot of Japanese in the background, and some exhaust pipes, at this time the bikes were on the course, we share it 20 minutes at a time)

Yea, that’s exactly what you have to do. Lift the back, start running, drop it in about 2 seconds, and then start pushing it (one hand on the steering wheel, another behind the seat). The motor then kick starts and you have to keep at that pace running with the kart for maybe 4-5 seconds before hopping on (has to let the engine warm up because if you all of a sudden sit down, the sheer added weight would cut it). I got the owner to install a direct line to the accelerator that’s located in the back of the seat. Cost about $60 for him to do it. But now, once the kart is rolling, I push the lever and it will maintain pulling the accelerator long enough to allow me to climb into the kart, sit down, and give it gas.

 

[anderkart]

Hey looks like you got yourself a really nice kart there, looks new! (did you find out what brand it is?)

Man that push starting sounds like it'd be kinda hard on your back if your tall like me. Over here in the states lots of KT100 racers run a clutch and start-em with Kart Starters but that would probably cost an extra $500 or so. Do all the guys in your class push start?

Hows your ribs feeling now with that new seat?

 

[JapanKarting]

Hey looks like you got yourself a really nice kart there, looks new! (did you find out what brand it is?)

Man that push starting sounds like it'd be kinda hard on your back if your tall like me. Over here in the states lots of KT100 racers run a clutch and start-em with Kart Starters but that would probably cost an extra $500 or so. Do all the guys in your class push start?

Hows your ribs feeling now with that new seat?

Thanks, for the compliment, still not sure on the make (any idea on where it would be located on the frame? I could look on Monday when I am going again).

Yea it is hard work.. I talked to the owner and there is a way to modify it like you said, by having a clutch, but the main issue with that is it would lower the acceleration of the kart, so its a trade off. Then of course there is buying the Kart Starter, which is around the $500 mark you mentioned, not sure if I am willing to devote that much to the change.

All the karts in my class do push though. He told me that everyone the first day has a tough time, but by Day 2 they`re all pro (well see about that...) I could change it to a self start ignition but there really expensive, have to get a battery, transmission, etc and from what he explained its an expensive way to go also due to the fact that the batteries are known to have problems, and the cost to replacing it is high.

My Ribs are feeling better, but I think the seat is still tight, I feel that getting in is harder then it should. I understand that the concept of the seat is to keep you in there, but I feel its just not exactly right for my size (I am 6`0 ft).

I am going to take some measurements of the seat on Monday as well so I can find out what I am dealing with. Going to try and work with this seat for a bit, but if it continues to be a problem I am looking into getting a Ribtect Carbon Fiber Seat.

Also on Monday hes pushing the brakes and accelerator a bit more forward, my knees sit pretty close to my steering wheel at the current time.

Oh and the course record is apparently 28 seconds flat. Yesterday I managed to get 32 seconds. I started at the 35 region so 3 seconds off for 1 days work isn`t to bad I think heh. My goal is beat the course record in a few weeks.. We:ll see how that goes..

Also I may be entering in my first competition mid-December. The track is having one, not sure about the application fee, but I plan to ask more about it in the coming weeks.

EDIT:

I found some specs regarding my rear tires:

Yokohama ADAVAN Dry tires

Specs:
size: 7.1 × 11.0-5
Pattern: Y801A
Certification: MH/SL02
Standard Rim(in.) = 8.0
OD (mm) = 280
Tire width (mm) = 213

I got this based on the tire pictures I took. Sadly I didn`t take a good closeup of the front ones. But I was wondering as far as tire pressure, is there a good website that will calculate the ideal pressure that the tires should have? Tried to find it based on this specific tire, but I couldn`t find any information.

The manager of the kart circuit recommended just filling the same pressure for each of the four tires. But in retrospect wouldn't either make the front tires overfilled or the back tires under-filled? Since clearly the rear tires are bigger? I dont remember the exact air pressure he told me to set, I want to say it was 1 something...

 

[anderkart]

Yeah lots of race karts don't have the brand name marked anywhere but see if you can find out.

If everyone else in your class is running direct drive it must be the fastest setup for your track.

My rule of thumb is your seat should feel just a little too tight when you first get in, and then after a few seconds feel snug, but never painful.
You'll find some good seat-sizing info here: http://www.tillett.co.uk/PDF/dimensions2007.pdf

Yeah getting those pedals further forward will definitely help a taller driver like you. Besides being more comfortable it'll also transfer a bit more of your weight to the front tires where big guys usually need it for better turning grip.

I race Dirt Oval karts so I'm not sure what pressures would be best for your track. (where I race we usually run the same tire pressure front to rear, but deferent from side to side) Your kart is commonly known as a Sprint Kart and there's several other Forums around you could find tons of info you'll need to know. Take a look through this search link: http://www.google.com/search?source...kart+forum&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=eeb05746d54f919c

 

[redsox985]

Is #7 spam?

 

[r97]

i just skipped over it, lol. race karts are expensive!!!!!!!!!!! you could make a whole kart for the price of that gear. not to say gear is bad (i like helmets)

 

[JapanKarting]

Yeah lots of race karts don't have the brand name marked anywhere but see if you can find out.

If everyone else in your class is running direct drive it must be the fastest setup for your track.

My rule of thumb is your seat should feel just a little too tight when you first get in, and then after a few seconds feel snug, but never painful.
You'll find some good seat-sizing info here: http://www.tillett.co.uk/PDF/dimensions2007.pdf

Yeah getting those pedals further forward will definitely help a taller driver like you. Besides being more comfortable it'll also transfer a bit more of your weight to the front tires where big guys usually need it for better turning grip.

I race Dirt Oval karts so I'm not sure what pressures would be best for your track. (where I race we usually run the same tire pressure front to rear, but deferent from side to side) Your kart is commonly known as a Sprint Kart and there's several other Forums around you could find tons of info you'll need to know. Take a look through this search link: http://www.google.com/search?source...kart+forum&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=eeb05746d54f919c

Thanks for the link. I practiced again on it today, I took some pictures of the frames, it has some numbers on it, and possibly a brand, I am going to see if I can find it online. If I do, I'll post a link to the frame here.

Good news regarding the seat. So right now the seat is a 32"(smallest section), I believe this is whats giving me my problem. He has a Yamaha seat thats black and is a 35". Hes going to switch it for me, and also push the seat back a bit to allow for even more leg room. He moved the pedals up a few cm but still i'd say its a bit tight for my legs. The new seat / position is going to be modified for next Sunday. So I'll be going back on that day to check it out. I take some pictures as well.

Is #7 spam?

Yea, I reported it awhile back.

i just skipped over it, lol. race karts are expensive!!!!!!!!!!! you could make a whole kart for the price of that gear. not to say gear is bad (i like helmets)

Heh. Well I figured its better to get the all around protection just in case.. But I do agree, that the gear is expensive..

 

[m3lov3r]

good for a beginner.
You spent to much on the gear tho.

 

[JapanKarting]

good for a beginner.
You spent to much on the gear tho.

Good Kart for a beginner? Sarcasm? What does your kart look like then?

Oh, you also know my financial situation as well? Where'd you get that information from? Telling me I spent to much on my gear..

Pff..

 

[bighead]

Good Kart for a beginner? Sarcasm? What does your kart look like then?

Oh, you also know my financial situation as well? Where'd you get that information from? Telling me I spent to much on my gear.. Pff..

Maybe from your first post in this thread. And perhaps all the pics and prices you posted of your new gear.

Nice Kart though.

 

[JapanKarting]

Maybe from your first post in this thread. And perhaps all the pics and prices you posted of your new gear.

Nice Kart though.

Thanks, but even still, his comment still assumes he knows my financial situation by stating I "spent to much". Besides, I don't place a value on protection (shrugs). Perhaps I read to into it, but I found his comment baseless and simply not constructive.

A more constructive response would have been perhaps linking sites I could have got the gear cheaper, or stated which gear is not "needed."

 

[m3lov3r]

to much spent on the gear. save your money man!
Ive been there. All you need is a helmet, rib protector and a neck protector.
Just speaking from experience.

and I have a shifter kart.