Seat setting

Brian Degulis · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject:

I have long legs. The standard seat positioning didn't work for me and I was also Uncomfotable with how much it reclined It's just me I generaly set a car seat more straight up than most. So I put scales under each wheel and sat in the kart with the standard setting. Then I experimented with moving the seat back and positioning it in a more straight up position. I was able to get the same weight distribution and a much more comfortable position for me. I set the bottom of the seat just above the bottom of the frame. My ass may not be pretty but I still want to keep it.

For me as a novice I'm more interested in be comfortable than I am in maximizing handling that will come later.

Brian

Tim Salvino · Joined: 20 Nov 2010 Posts: 257

^ That is why they make extended front porches. They will give you more leg room while keeping the weight balance pretty much the same.

joseph hollinger · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 6:32 pm Post subject:

If you're worried about the seating wearing, you can put a sheet of this stuff on the bottom:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8752K411

It will last forever.
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Cesar Rull · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:42 pm Post subject:

I am 5'7" I weigh 175lbs. I am more than happy to set the seat the way CRG calls it out. "2cm below the frame" that is a little bit more than 3/4"

So if the chassis is set up with the rear high, I don't see a problem, but when the chassis is set low, I can see a potential to drag the seat at the slightest bump or not?

To start of where to set the seat leveled with the bottom of the frame rather than extending below the kart, would that be too high?

TJ Koyen · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 1418

Seat height depends on the driver's upper body weight. At your height, you may want the seat a little higher than some other drivers who are taller. I'm also 5'7" and I have mine at about the middle of the frame rails to get the proper weight transfer with my lower center of gravity.

Placing the seat level with the bottom of the rails would probably be fine. Especially when you have yet to drive and as a novice, wouldn't really even notice the handling differences between the varying seat heights.
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Cesar Rull · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 8:14 am Post subject:

^ thanks for the info. So your seat is basically tucked in between the rails (height)

Cesar Rull · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:15 pm Post subject:

Guys I installed my seat yesterday but the brackets (tabs) are not 100% parallel to the seat wall. What is the best way to bend them without damaging the chassis - Or should I be bending the entire arm?

Dan Haynes · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:52 pm Post subject:

Most seat companies sell seat installation kits with tapered nylon washers to get the right setting. You don't want to tighten them down without being properly aligned as it will pre-load the chassis.
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Cesar Rull · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:54 pm Post subject:

I bought a kit from tillet.
But no, It did not come with any nylon tapered washers...

Are you suggesting that I do not need to straighten the tabs on the seat mount?

This is what I got:
http://sharkshifter.com/zc/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=41&products_id=1229

Tim Salvino · Joined: 20 Nov 2010 Posts: 257

Cesar Rull · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:01 pm Post subject:

^ ok according to you what those kids are doing is the best way to bend the tabs. Do you believe everything you see on youtube?

Tim Salvino · Joined: 20 Nov 2010 Posts: 257

"Next, you may need to "manipulate" the seat struts to fit properly. Use a long pry bar (old axle works well) or a big hammer to bend struts. The seat should be held in by the struts but should not be squeezing it. Once the seat is in position, take note of the mounting tabs. You may need to "manipulate" them to run parallel with the surface of the seat. Using a crescent wrench, bend the tabs so that when you tighten the bolt, the seat is not pulled out of shape. This would cause a cracking sound, stressing the seat and pre binding the chassis."

Straight from Ribtect. Yes, this is THE way to do it.

http://www.ribtect.com/RibtectSeat_Mounting.html

Cesar Rull · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:26 pm Post subject:

Great, thank you Tim.
I appreciate the last link you provided.