Wifes Kart

[Desertduler]

I am going to build a shifter kart also in the near future and I am going to use a KTM 525 four stroke engine that I have that I have turned into a 540.

 

[Desertduler]

Here are some of my wife's kart components along with three engines that I will choose from to install on her kart I still have to buy the tubing that I am going to use and I will using a lighter gauge that I have been using to reduce some weight of her kart.

 

[firemanjim]

I like the little one on the end..... Gotta get me one.....
Uhh, question...... What is it?

 

[Desertduler]

I like the little one on the end..... Gotta get me one.....
Uhh, question...... What is it?

That is a JLO Rockwell L252 brand new with modifications by me.

 

[firemanjim]

Yeah, I figured you tinkered with it.....
What kinda power does that put out, and what's the rpm range? I'm assuming 2 stroke, I love that WAAAAAAaAA sound...... It's intimidating to regular kart riders.....

 

[itsid]

..it's always funny how that "J" issue is sticking to everyones mind...
it's ILO

Anywhoo.. the center one.. edgy wankel.. couldn't get more Bauhaus than that !

'sid

 

[Desertduler]

Yeah, I figured you tinkered with it.....
What kinda power does that put out, and what's the rpm range? I'm assuming 2 stroke, I love that WAAAAAAaAA sound...... It's intimidating to regular kart riders.....

In its stock form it is rated about 10.5 hp @ 5500 rpm I have altered the squish band and I have done port work to the cylinder and I bored out the intake manifold and I have had a 30mm Mikuni on it and I have test ran it on my kart and it pulls real hard off the bottom and pulls clean out to its higher rpm range I was shocked how hard this engine pulls it would kill any of my other engines off the bottom end but it vibrates at a low rpm because of the way the engine is balanced but when it spools up to the higher rpm range it smooths right out but I could change the balance of the crankshaft but then it would vibrate in the higher rpm range and that it the way it is with single cylinder engines.If I do use it I will come up with some rubber mounts to help dampen some of the vibrations that the engine develops down at low rpm levels.

 

[Desertduler]

..it's always funny how that "J" issue is sticking to everyones mind...
it's ILO

Anywhoo.. the center one.. edgy wankel.. couldn't get more Bauhaus than that !

'sid

Yes indeed that KM24 Wankel is a good one and turbine smooth running!A real rare bird now days!

 

[Desertduler]

Here is some good information on single cylinder engine balancing.

http://juicemotoparts.com/EngineBalance.pdf

 

[itsid]

unfortunately extremely rare.. especially on this side of the ocean for some odd reason
easier to find an onan twin cylinder around here.. (really just let one go yesterday)

Well, one day I might be lucky enough (or rich enough.. whatever comes first )

I know it's not exactly the most powerful wankel you could buy, maybe not even the "best" whatever that means to some people, but it's by far the coolest case ever...
like a giant Nema stepper motor *sigh*

... and there's the drooling again, excuse me!...

'sid

 

[Desertduler]

I started on the front axle today on the kart that I am building for my wife the front cross beam is 1-1/2 square tubing I will box it all in like the front end on my kart.

 

[n3480h]

Man, that is some first class work! Beautiful.

 

[Desertduler]

Man, that is some first class work! Beautiful.

Hey thanks! I am just having fun building these things and experimenting with different engines and configurations and state of tune.

 

[Desertduler]

Here are some photos of the front axle I have built for the wife's kart.One can see the adjustment washer stacks in place that I use to raise or lower the front spindles to fine tune the steering if needed.The spindles move on sealed bearings for smooth operation and this design for my use has been bullet proof so far for my application.

 

[firemanjim]

That's nice!

 

[itsid]

That's nice!

that's pointing out the obvious

No honestly.. he's right Bret.. that IS nice

'sid

 

[rmm727]

Bret, what do you have there for king pin angle?

Again, as others have said, nice work.

 

[Desertduler]

Thank you gentlemen, I was not fishing for compliments but just going through the stages of this build. As for my king pin angle I am using 10 degrees the same as my kart and the copied ones that are my friends I use this angle because I keep the axle overhang short as not to overload my front axles and I need the kart to turn with out under steer and indeed my kart does and it turns excellent in the dirt and on the asphalt and this angle works for me but then I also tip the front end back 20 degrees to promote frame jacking and lifting pressure off of the inside tire in corners and my kart rails in the corners without ill handling and it is very predictable.

 

[Desertduler]

I would also like to note that the steering geometry I use is very effective while cornering but is not easy to turn with a wheel that is why I use a handle bar set up as kind of my power steering so I would not follow this design unless one was using a handle bar set up.
I did not like less caster than what I am using this works for my kart and a live axle set up only.

 

[Desertduler]

The surface that I use my kart on most always is like this so hence my steering set up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mmxAW5tvkQ