Sequoia Electrathon Racer

[Functional Artist]

Been cleanin' up the chassis after weldin'
...but, had ta take a break (my arms are "killin' me)

So, I worked on Throttle Control Assembly

TCA Components
...pedal
...cable connector
...cable mounting bracket
...cable end/adjustor
...cable/housing
...cable end/adjustor
...electronic Hall Effect Thumb Throttle (mounted on a "peg")

Frontal components

Rear components

Kinda like this

* Notice the throttle pedal return spring
...which gives 'er a nice firm feel
...& also provides a good-n-snappy "return action"

 

[Denny]

When is the big race Speed Racer?

 

[Functional Artist]

When is the big race Speed Racer?

Hey Denny,

Well, the Electrathon race nearest me (~100 miles away, in Michigan) is/was this weekend
...but, my daughter's graduation is/was this weekend too

She is one of the top 20 of her graduating class (I'm so proud of her)
...&/so, family comes first

FWIU they run EA races down in Florida about every weekend
...but, Ima been havin' a super-hard time convincing my wife that we should go on a ~1,000 mi. road trip
...just so, I can "race around" for a couple of hours

* BMI karts, here in Ohio, has an indoor track
...so, I've been thinkin' about tryin' ta convince 'em to "look into" the EA program
...& maybe even "set up" a race or 2

 

[Functional Artist]

The throttle cable needs to connect to the throttle pedal
...but, IMO it's best to try-n-keep 'er off to the side

So, I used a 1/4" x ~3" bolt as a pedal to cable connector

Clamped 'er to the workbench

...& drilled a hole, for the cable ta go thru

Like this

Installed, it looks kinda like this

Also, notice the pedal stop
...so, the pedal can be floored without exerting excessive pressure on the Thumb Throttle
(pedal at rest)

...& (pedal engaged) in the WOT or full throttle position

 

[Denny]

Well I got to agree with you family comes first. Tell wifey the trip to Florida could be like a second honeymoon with a detour of racing thrown in.

 

[Master Hack]

I admire the skill it takes to drill a hole in a bolt by hand!
Have you ever tried a center drill to start difficult holes?

HSS Number 3 Center Drill | Combined Drill and Countersink

Create precision center holes on your workpieces by using this HSS number 3 center drill. Made of steel, the combined drill and countersink easily resists wear.

littlemachineshop.com

Also if ya put a belleville washer on the throttle pivot bolt, it will give it a little more "tactile" feel.

 

[Master Hack]

Congrats on the Daughter's graduation!
It's a great day when the girls get that diploma!
Its a better day when they get that ring and move out!
I'm a veteran did it twice!

 

[Functional Artist]

I admire the skill it takes to drill a hole in a bolt by hand!
Have you ever tried a center drill to start difficult holes?

Hey T,

Thank ya sir

No, I've never used on of those
...but, I'll share the way I do it

First, it's hard as heck, ta get a drill bit to "start" on a rounded surface without an "aid"

So, I use a spring-loaded center punch

...ta "make" a divot or dimple (kinda like this)

Then, ya can use the dimple ta help keep the drill bit "in place" & "drill baby drill"


After ~30 seconds I stopped drilling, to show ya what the divot looks like, after the drill bit "gets started"

Also, ya gotts ta do lots of "eyeing", while drilling, to try-n-maintain the proper angle

Another view (inverted)

 

[Functional Artist]

After lots more chassis clean up, I gave 'er a good wipe down (a couple of wipe downs actually) with paint thinner
...then, layed 'er on her side
...& started paintin'

Let 'er sit ~1 hour
...then, set 'er upright
...& did some more paintin'

* Notice that a F'in bird sh*t on my fresh paint

 

[Master Hack]

Thats the way to do it! I have trouble getting ‘em straight and centered with a drill press and a vice!
A little oil makes yer bits last longer!

looks good! Nice touch from da bird

 

[Denny]

Sorry Kevin, but I almost peed myself laughing!
Well, maybe it was because I have a weak bladder. But I think you just got a name for the kart.

The Bird Sh¥t Kart
Target Practice
Gotcha
Bulls Eye
One In A Million Shot
Splat!

You know that bird went back to his friends and said “you guys ain’t going to believe this”.

 

[Master Hack]

Awe shyt!

 

[Functional Artist]

Sorry Kevin, but I almost peed myself laughing!
Well, maybe it was because I have a weak bladder. But I think you just got a name for the kart.

The Bird Sh¥t Kart
Target Practice
Gotcha
Bulls Eye
One In A Million Shot
Splat!

You know that bird went back to his friends and said “you guys ain’t going to believe this”.

Hey Denny,

I'm glad I "made your day"
....but, a little soap & water
...& it's like it didn't even happen

I came across an old refrigerator with stainless steel doors

So, I harvested me some SS

I'm thinkin' "free floorboard"

Front side

Back side

* Inside of refrigerator doors are full of Styrofoam
...but, it scrapes off pretty easily

 

[Master Hack]

Scrounging and recycling at it's finest. Fact is I believe you have taken the art to a new level!

 

[Grizzlymi]

That frame sure looks purdy after that paint job, bird shyt and all!! Fantastic project you have going!

 

[Functional Artist]

Scrounging and recycling at it's finest. Fact is I believe you have taken the art to a new level!

Hey T,

Thanks!
They say "one man's junk "is" another man's treasure"

That frame sure looks purdy after that paint job, bird shyt and all!! Fantastic project you have going!

Hey Grizzlymi,

Thanks!
Some stuff (like a bird shytin' on my fresh paint) just makes ya "shake your head"
...& think to yourself "really??"

It'sa startin' ta come together

While the chassis paint wasa dryin' I started on the sub-assemblies

Swing Arm

* When ya see loc-nuts its "for real" this time

 

[Denny]

Oh look guys, somebody is too good to use Lok-Tite like the rest of us peasants.
Well La-de-da!!!

Seriously though Kevin it’s starting to look good man.

 

[Master Hack]

Oh look guys, somebody is smart enough not to use Lok-Tite like the rest of us peasants.

Fixed it for ya!

 

[Functional Artist]

I started installing some of the sub-assemblies onto the chassis

Up in the front, we installed the A-frames, bushings, shocks & their required hardware

Back in the rear we installed the swing arm assembly with its bushing, shock & required hardware
* Got ta get more 5/16 Loc-Nuts

Next up was ta bolt the wheels on

Now, we have a "roller"

Frontal view

Side view

Another view

 

[Master Hack]

Nice work!