KT100 Starting RPM

Curry Brown · Joined: 04 Feb 2013 Posts: 24

What RPM is generally required to get the KT100 to turn over?

And has anyone tried using a lithium ion impact wrench to turn a kt100 over? something that would turn 3k rpms @ 200 lbs of torque under load?

Jim White · Joined: 21 Jul 2001 Posts: 994

It may work but I believe the repeated pounding from the impact would be real unfriendly to the crank, the starter nut and the crank threads.
There have been other threads discussing both this and using an electric drill. Try the search function and see what you can find.

Jim McMahon · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:22 am Post subject:

500 should be "enough". I think most starters turn around 2000ish.
I would not recommend an impact.
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Doug Edwards · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:21 pm Post subject: Impact to Start KT 100

I trier that with my Leopard...
Didn't work and I don't think hammering the clutch nut on the crank is a great idea.

Mark Erpelding · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:19 pm Post subject: CRANK

Putting an impact on the crank is an engine builders nightmere. They take painstaking time to get the crank haves indicated in to less than 1 thousandth of an inch. And you want to take an impact to their work? I think if an engine builder seen you with an impact on their crank they would hit you with it!!
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Curry Brown · Joined: 04 Feb 2013 Posts: 24

Point taken fellas!!!

Think some of the battery power impacts don't actually impact until a certain lb/ft, which might be within range of KT100. For example, U can set the hitachi lithium 1/2 impact. It spins to 3k rpm but won't actually impact unless under certain load, which I was hoping I could calculate against kt100...

Either way, there has to be some easy onboard starter option? Would love to be able to "TaG" a KT100....

John Matthews · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 7:40 am Post subject:

That's one of the beauties of the KT100, simplicity.

There was a pull start version sold in Australia. I don't know how well that worked and I've only ever seen pictures.

Lots of guys balk at the price of the remote starter but really in the long term it's pretty cheap. You'll need one if you ever move up to TaG anyway since the expensive little starters on those engines are prone to failure....

Cheers,
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Mark Erpelding · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:19 am Post subject: Kt 100

There is a KT 100 available with electric start.. Who want's the weight?
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Curry Brown · Joined: 04 Feb 2013 Posts: 24

Thanks John for advice. I'll do some more research on kt100 vs tag

Walt Gifford · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 10:39 am Post subject:

I'd like to see an electric start KPV.

Gif Cool

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Chris Helps · Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Posts: 328

I bought an electric starter add-on for my KT100, and had the seller's engine builder mount it for me.

It's basically the electric starter part set from the Yamaha KT100SE engine, which has a built-in electric start and is sold in Asia and Australia. Some minor modifications were required to mount it to a regular KT100.

Works pretty well, though when the engine is cold, I sometimes have to start it the first time with my handheld starter - not sure why, maybe the mounting wasn't perfect? Thereafter the on-board works flawlessly, which is a great treat when stalling while out on track (or more usually, after going off-track).

Chris Helps · Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Posts: 328

Jim McMahon · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Kt 100

John Matthews · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:57 pm Post subject:

It's kinda a moot point....

Rule makers for the KT100 are unlikely to embrace onboard electric starting, the engine has worked in it's same basic configuration since before I started racing in 1977 Laughing

Sure, when you first start out all that pushing back to the grid to get restarted seems like a pain but if you consider it part of your conditioning regimen it's a good thing Wink

After you get used to driving you rarely stall in the infield so the extra weight of a battery and starter would be superfluous. Usually when somebody mentions using an impact wrench on a KT it's because they bought a used kart without one and can't believe they need to spend an extra $250 just to start the darn thing. If they keep an eye out though they'll usually find another complete kart package with a starter for only a little more than a new starter costs Cool

The reality is almost every kart besides a shifter needs a remote starter anyway and it's one of the few things you'll still be using 10 years from now if you stay in the sport.

Cheers,
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Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Brian Degulis · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:58 am Post subject:

I use a remote starter on my shifters. I weld a hex head into the right side axle bore. The starter cost just a little more than a set of tires and lasts a lot longer.

Brian