Kart Scaling problems

[Justin Martin]

Hey fellas,

I am driving a 2011 Intrepid Cruiser, with Rotax Sr, and I am just now adding weight. Before weights I weighed in at 310 kart, driver, gear and 5/8 full tank (simulated after a race or so). I was balancing at 41/59% with the Intrepid recommended seat position. The problem is my front right was about 7 pounds heavier than left (however no noticeable increase in tire wear or handling indifference). I was extremely happy with handling.

To be legal weight I need to add tons of weight! Currently I dont have all the weight on hand to get it to 385, but I can get to 365 for legal Rotax Senior.

I currently have it at 43.3/56.7 But my front right is still 4 pounds heavier. I have a 5 pound weight under neath my thigh on the left leg. Granted, it is only about 5" off the kart center line, so it doesn't have much of a moment to off set the heavy right front.

Currently my Rear 50/50

My questions are;

How much of a heavy Wheel/side indicates a bent frame?
How balanced does it need to be side to side?
Have any Ideas to help me add more weight with my already limited space?


Disclaimers;
-I do not have a sniper camber/toe/caster alignment tool (too expensive as of right now)
-I lost my accurate tire gauge at the last track outing. I had to use my car gauge which is only accurate to ~1 pound.

Thanks for the help guys!

[Dan Haynes]

There can be several reasons for this, and also the possibility that it is intentional. Most kart tracks are primarily left-handers so it is ok if the right front slightly heavier. I have heard that some kart manufacturers build them this way. Also, in my experience, I have been told that the front is ok as long as it is within 5lbs. of each other and the rear is within 10lbs. if each other.

Now on to the more technical stuff. Is everything square? Spindles the same height? Rear axle the same setting? Caster/camber the same on each side? Tire circumference the same? Scales level? Steering wheel perfectly straight?

I say if it is handling good then double-check that everything is good as far as nothing set out of whack, such as spindle heights being different, and drive the thing. I doubt you will see too many karts that are closer than 4lbs. at any track.

As far as percentages, we ran closer to 43% front on our Kosmics but are usually in the high 41's with the Arrow. But we are also running a softer tire than we ran on the Kosmic.
_________________
Blaise Haynes
#3 Arrow X1-CIK
TaG
Cook Racing Engines Parilla Leopard

[Justin Martin]

Yup everything is square. Nothing is bent, camber/caster pills are the Standard no-change, stock angle pills.

I am guessing it is just something with the set up, or the way the kart flexes.

I am also weighing it without any of the Teflon, or steel frame braces, which could have a bit to do with it.

The steering wheel is as straight as possible without any gauges or anything.

Unfortunately my scales are only good to .2 as well, and they are all just a BIT different from eachother (.1-.4 pound difference). I use a correction factor for each one based off of the average of the 4 readings when I tested them with 50 pounds of lead.

Thanks for all the help! I'll settle with a slightly heavy front right, and ill aim for between 41-43%