Rotax on a shifter chassis?

Dave Stevens · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2001 4:35 pm Post subject: Rotax on a shifter chassis?

Got most everything I need now, except the kart. After talking to some of the guys I'll race with up here, and what's on the message boards, I've decided that for the first season, at least, a Rotax is the way to go. Even with a couple days seat time at at each of two schools, most feel that going right to shifter isn't the best way to do it. Having the other racers on the track trust me to race with them is a big thing to me.

I've been shopping some karts, and will drive a couple this week. Due to my size, 6-4 -250 lbs, most 100cc chassis feel cramped. Last week at the local CRG dealer, I got to sit in my first extended chassis. I understand I can get extended 125s in most chassis makes. The extended chassis made all the difference. I actually felt comfortable.

My question is this, how feasible is it to run a Rotax on an extended 125cc shifter chassis? For me, this takes care of two things. First, it'll get me going in an entry level kart. Second, since my real destination is SKUSA G2, (or another older, heavier class) it will allow me the option of testing and practicing as a shifter, while learning how the kart responds and being able to work on it while competing Rotax.

I'll have to disable (or remove) the front brakes and clutch lever and shifter when I run Rotax (and change tires), but it seems to me to be a better option than buying two used karts.

Does this seem like a feasible solution?

TIA

Dave

Nick Weil · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2001 5:33 pm Post subject: Rotax on a shifter chassis?

Dave,
I run the ROTAX in a CRG chasis currently and I know that CRG makes a ROTAX extended chasis. I have heard that you can make a shifter chasis work, but that it is a pain in the butt. And some of the modifications needed may affect the handling and design of the shifter chasis. I would talk to your local shops a little more. They are going to be the guys you will have to get parts from most likely.

Also, you may want to think of another thing... There are some of our shifter guys right now that are saying they want to have both a ROTAX and a shifter. The ROTAX is very addictive when you look at the small maintenance requirements. I think it may be a conspiracy to further fragment the karting classes of the world...

Nick

Dave Mancini · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2001 7:45 pm Post subject: Rotax on a shifter chassis?

Dave,

I'm one step ahead of you and did exactly what you are thinking. I also went with a CRG and I know that Bill (I am assuming that you went to Cyclebarn) has both an extended Maximo and Extend Storm in stock. Did you look at the Storm? That's what I went with. It is a pretty darn heavy duty chassis.... I just removed the front brakes and I am getting a motor in the next few weeks. If you are at 250lbs, the Maximo might be a little less stiff than the Storm.

.

Dave

[ July 29, 2001: Message edited by: Dave Mancini ]

Dave Stevens · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2001 7:59 pm Post subject: Rotax on a shifter chassis?

quote:
Originally posted by Nick Weil:
. I would talk to your local shops a little more. They are going to be the guys you will have to get parts from most likely.

Thanks Nick. It was the local CRG dealer that suggested it. The guy that runs the shop rides a CRG Storm with a Rotax. He said the mods were light, and showed me how to take care of the clutch butterfly and shifter and disable the front brake system. He even offered to buy the Rotax back anytime. They are apparently difficult to find used.

From working out the costs, it only seems to be a few grand more to build a decent Rotax and then piece together a late model used shifter for learning and testing.

Dave

Dave Stevens · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2001 8:18 pm Post subject: Rotax on a shifter chassis?

quote:
Originally posted by Dave Mancini:
Dave,
I also went with a CRG and I know that Bill (I am assuming that you went to Cyclebarn) has both an extended Maximo and Extend Storm in stock. Did you look at the Storm?

Yeah, it was Bill that gave me the pointers showed me the Storm. Jose took me through all the used karts, and explained the differences in the chassis. I wasn't that familiar with CRG at the time, I hadn't really considered it, but it seems to be a fine product that would last a long time. The Storm is heavy duty.

Dave

bird · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 147

Extended Maximo, cool! Anyone tried that and the standard back to back? Where is it extended?

- Mary-Ann www.kartlink.net

Dave Mancini · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2001 8:30 am Post subject: Rotax on a shifter chassis?

Mary,

They are factory extended karts that have about 3" or so extension on the front porch. Pretty nice....

Dave