Silver Fox and a Bald Guy

[panchothedog]

Kill switch: put one on your parking brake handle if you wish. BUT PUT one on the steering wheel or in very close proximity to the driver. ESPECIALLY with kids when they are on their own. It is the most important safety device on the kart. Sticking throttles are something that CAN happen. A toggle switch that you can knock down with one quick hand movement as opposed to a button that needs to be held in for a second or two, to completely kill the engine.

 

[ct_racer]

You need a 40 series torque converter for that engine

I already have on in my shopping cart. Just holding off until I get the engine out of the box and inspected.

Your front tires look fine as tread is concerned. Even if they are dry cracked,

Yeah, that's kind of what I figure. My take is, if I can get a couple years out of them while I get the rest of the kart in order, and figure out the long term plans, I won't feel too bad in a couple of years spending a little more on a set of square knobbies. I only paid $30 for the set of 4, so I'm pretty happy with the deal, and where they're at.

I think I've got a solution for the hubs figured out that only needs minor milling work. First steps right now are going to be getting the brakes back in working order, finish the steering, and get it back on the ground. Then figure out the engine. Once it's drivable, I'll pick up the hubs I need to get this set of wheels on.

BUT PUT one on the steering wheel or in very close proximity to the driver

Really solid advice. I know there's a switch on the dash I can use, but something closer to natural hand position is more than just a good idea. I'll get something figured out there.


Should have some actual progress updates on it soon.

 

[ct_racer]

Finally making some good progress. The front suspension is back on, and I've finished building the steering pivot with the kids. We're painting it now, so we should be able to get that mounted in the next week or so. I've got new hiem joints for between the pitman arm and the pivot as well.

These are my first welds, and they're not pretty. I got the part cleaned up enough to be functional and solid at least. It feels smooth on the shoulder bolt even without being greased. It'll be good to get this painted, and the front end back on the ground.

 

[ct_racer]

Also moved the master cylinder bracket so the seat is adjustable again. I need to plumb the new brake lines for it yet, and then fill/bleed the system. I also need to setup a linkage to the pedal.

With it being closer to the pedal I can't depend as much on the slop of the linkage rod as when the mount was closer to the rear, so it will need to be a little more solid of a setup. I'm thinking a turnbuckle and couple of eye bolts to be able to get some adjustability as well.

 

[ct_racer]

More slow progress made on the kart. Finished the mount tabs for the handbrake lever. This should complete the frame mods I'm planning on. I got a couple of coats of primer on this morning. The frame should be painted by the end of the weekend.

I also went through the rear axle, and while I was in there, I added a second rotor for the handbrake. I still need to fabricate a bracket for the caliper, but after getting the rotor situated I want to wait until I see the engine on the swingarm to make sure I don't have any interference issues. Should be plenty of space, but I don't want to have to rework something either.

Tonight should be the big night. I need to get the swingarm mounted back up, but I'm planning to unbox the motor with the kids tonight, and set it in place. Not ready for starting, but I should be able to finish my parts list, and get a lot of what I need ordered/know what I need to run to the hardware store for.

I'll get the caliper bracket mocked up, and hopefully built in the next few days as well.

 

[Hellion]

Neat and tidy work. I think your welds look high quality even if (maybe) they are not those artsy fartsy ones that look like a stack of overlapping crescent moons in a row. That hydraulic brake setup looks nice and compact and fitting for the application—don’t see that too often

 

[ct_racer]

Thanks! I'm happy with it so far. I've been learning a lot from the small amounts I've used the welder so far. I figure there's a time and a place to practice those pretty welds, but adding to the structural frame isn't that time or place. I've already burned enough holes I've needed to booger-fill to try to worry about the appearance of these ones. Practical is all this application calls for, and I think I managed that here at least.

I like the application of handbrake too; it feels pretty good in that spot from both seats. I'm looking forward to fab and paint being finished so I can get it all buttoned together.