Need Advice and Help Appraising a Kart.

Brian Garfield · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:38 am Post subject:

Looks to be cleaning up pretty nice, aside from the obvious parts that won't (axle, exhaust may not come back completely, etc.).

One issue with our CTS's (and yours) is that you don't have a motor stop to keep the motor from sliding backward, and the axle carrier area is at an angle so you can't use a common adapter that's sold. We've been too lazy to follow through on a fix, but there have definitely been times where I wished I had something custom made to keep the motor from sliding back. Over tightening the mount is not the best idea, so figuring out a fix for it now in the off season/while you have it apart would be a good idea.

Brian

Russ Clark · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 11:45 am Post subject:

Thanks Brian. I didn't even know this was an issue. I will look into it see how it works on other karts. Did/Does your motor move on a regular basis?

Vernon Head · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:17 pm Post subject:

I think a 1 1/4" axle collar clamped on the frame behind the motor mount would probably work.

Russ Clark · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 7:51 am Post subject:

It's been a while since I have updated. I've been sidetracked with other things and children.

At this point I think I have most of the major things sorted and functioning. I was having a problem getting the kart started and then getting it to idle but I have that sorted and it will start with little effort and will idle away on the stand. My only concern is that if I let it run in gear on the stand it seam the chain will bind and then lurch on occasion. Everything will spin freely for about 10-15 seconds and then it binds. I am unsure if it is truly binding or if the motor almost stalls and kicks over.

My question would be how do I measure the chain for slack to be sure it is set correctly and about where should that setting be? Unfortunately the search function of these forums is not great and I am having a hard time finding this info.

I am hoping to take the maiden voyage this weekend. THat will consist of some hardcore 10-15 mph pulls with abrupt stops. I just want to be sure the clutch and brakes function correctly and I want to make sure it will accelerate. Once that is done I know it will be ready to try to run the event in a couple of weeks.

Jason Vehige · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 9:03 am Post subject:

I keep my chain pretty tight... About 1/2 inch play at most. Some "binding" on the stand is typical.... If you put some resistance on the tires the "binding" should stop... If not that could be a problem.
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Jason Vehige

08 Gillard Charlotte / SGM sl204
05 Vanspeed Sirio / SGM sl204

Russ Clark · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 9:57 am Post subject:

Awesome! Thank you for the information Jason. Very Happy

Please excuse my ignorance but how do you measure the play to decide that you have 1/2 of it? I found the motocross guys talking about measuring the droop of the chain but that didn't seem like it would fully translate since the length of the chain is quite different. Again I tried to find something on this forum but the search on here is not my friend.

Jason Vehige · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 10:44 am Post subject:

Grab top of chain in between the sprockets... Wiggle up and down. To be technical you want it tight enough but not too tight Laughing

Bikes have more slack to deal with all the suspension movement we do not have....
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Jason Vehige

08 Gillard Charlotte / SGM sl204
05 Vanspeed Sirio / SGM sl204

Russ Clark · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 8:15 am Post subject:

Well I was all set for the "test drive" yesterday and ran into a minor problem and a major problem.

The minor issue was really just that and wasn't going to stop me. Once I got everything running the motor would not idle without the choke. I figured either the jetting was way off or the motor was just not warming up in the uncharacteristically cold weather. It was in the mid 50's. So I decided to take it up and down my driveway anyways just with the choke on.

So I got it started on the ground and got in. Not being used to the brake location and wearing running shoes so I had no pedal feel, I am pretty sure I let the clutch out while standing on the brake and inevitable stalled. No biggie right, all I have to do is get out and restart it and try again. Well there is the problem. I can't get out. I'm a little confused, getting in only took a minor effort to rotate my hips so I could fit between the bolsters. Once I was in the seat it felt like a glove. Hmmm, maybe I am just not trying the correct technique. At this point, I am thinking back to when I sat in the seat on the ground while I had it off the kart. It took a little effort to get out but I attributed that to it not being bolted down. So I decide to do what any reasonable red blooded male would, I muscle my way out. I am pretty sure I ended up looking like a drunken walrus trying to do his special courting dance as I slide out over the side pod doing my best to not crush it.

Well this is no good. I have a race I want to take the kart to next weekend so I reason with myself that I must just be doing it wrong. I mean the seat fits and I am not even sure a larger one can fit in between the struts. So I decide to try again. I get her started and get in taking note of the movements required to slide into the seat. I definitely have to rotate my hips to get in. Ok, I let out the clutch and damnit I stalled again. No biggie I know how to get out now let's do it again. Expletive deleted, I can't get out AGAIN!

I struggle a little longer trying to work an angle to success before I have to do my walrus dance. This time I notice how high me knees are, there are at the top of the shifter. And I notice the remote reservoirs are pretty much in my crotch. In fact the safety wire on one of the hoses has started to rip my jeans. Well this is not good but I have a plan.

So I succumb to the dance of the drunken walrus and regroup. I figure this CTS chassis is supposed to have this unique super duper seat mounting system lets use it. I decided to push the seat as far back as I could muster without drilling more holes. Since I haven't mounted a kart seat before I didn't want to start drilling holes and be wrong. I made all my adjustments and tried it out just to see if I could get in and out. I had the carb off the motor at this point so I wasn't even trying to drive the thing. I got in no problem although the same hip twist was required. Once I was in the seat everything was much much better. I was further back and a little more upright so the comfort was good. I just can't get out, the exit was possibly harder than before. Thankfully I had the sidepod off this time so although I did my walrus impression it was a little easier. It was a bit painful this time as I bruised myself a little on the previous attempts.

Sorry for the long story, I figured some of you might find it a little entertaining. I'm at a loss. The seat is a Deepseat. Do I just have the wrong seat for me or is this something I should be able to fix with a mounting position. I have driven rental karts at the local track and although I don't pop out like a 140lb guy I didn't struggle to get out. And they have the "race" fiberglass type of seats. As always any help is appreciated I am beginning to lose hope on making it to the race next week, unless I just decide to do the walrus dance and deal with bruises.

Bill Martin · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:16 am Post subject:

Russ Clark · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 11:23 am Post subject:

I did try to slide forward. The first two times the seat was so far forward it simply was not possible to go more than an inch or two. that is where I twisted to get free and then rolled/fell to the left over the side pod to get out.

When I moved the seat back I could slide a little farther forward but still couldn't not rise. I again had to twist and rolll/fall out. I am hoping it is just a technique that I don't have but I've never really had this kind of difficulty getting out of a kart.

I think the real issue I have is that the side bolsters really wrap around my chest and once I am in there it holds me almost like wearing a harness in a car.

Will a tilt to the back help any of these issues? I can still adjust the seat in the mounts some. I just don't really know what changes to make to help myself out.

Joe Ricard · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:11 pm Post subject:

That is some funny stuff

Getting out of a kart can be a bit of a task and with your deep seat things can be compounded. '

BTW glad you didn't get to try it on the street

Just take it to the kart track and have someone push start you.

Laubching a shifter kart is not for grannies. You gotta go like you mean it and that's even if it is running well. Cold temps and not warmed up motor will lead to cold sieze and that isn't good.
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Arrow AX-8/ Rotax Sr.

Christian Hubbell · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 6:27 pm Post subject:

I had a deep seat and remember being locked in too. I think I had to turn sideways in the seat and put my hand on the back of the seat and hoist myself up and out while sideways. Don't be afraid to stand on the mounting bolts of the seat to get in and out too. You'll get it.

Russ Clark · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 7:32 pm Post subject:

Good News! I have adjusted the seat position again and I can get in and out now. I realized that when I moved it before I moved the bottom of the seat back but the top of the seat forward relative to the bottom, so I was more upright. That is why it was not any easier to get out.

This time I moved the bottom back a little further and the top back a lot further so it is close to the recline angle it was originally. I got in and out no problem. The only pain was where I was already bruised from the walrus dance on Saturday. I am pretty sure once the bruises are gone it will just be a tight squeeze and shouldn't hurt. I also gave my entry and exit the wife test, meaning I had her watch me on a second try. She didn't laugh so I think it will be safe to do in the presence of Dixie region.

Now I just need to clean the carb again and see if I can get it to idle with the choke off. That should be easy enough. The last thing to do before Sunday is to try to get the kart rolling under it's own power.

Joe I know you have concerns for my safety and I appreciate it. I live in a rural area and really can get the kart up to 10-15 mph and stop turn around and come back to where I started without leaving my driveway. I need to be sure of two things before I go to a race with the kart. 1. I need to be able to get the kart rolling under it's own power. 2. It needs to stop using the brakes that are on it. Number 1 is a pride thing, number 2 is a safety thing. I'm sure you can understand. Just know this I have no intention of rocketing off through a busy neighborhood. Although it is not unusual to see dirt bikes, ATV's and golf carts on my street.

Anywho thanks for following along at home. I will keep updating, especially if I make it to the race Sunday.

Vernon Head · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:15 pm Post subject:

Russ:

Have you tried rotating the choke knob (counterclockwise, I believe) until the revs come up to idle?

Larry MacLeod · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:12 am Post subject:

Idling is overrated. Mine hasn't idled in years. It just takes a little focus to get it warm before your first run (can't walk away and do something else).

Larry
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Old Birel/ hodgepodge Honda CR125
Lefty Funk
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