[Gary Lawson]

Just offset the motor and run it.

[Gary Lawson]

It is typical for oval racers to do all of their kart setup while on a level platform on kart scales. Most sprint racers do their setup on the stand. A.ll karts gain negative camber and toe in from frame flex. It is easily compensated for and it is not necessary to align the kart on the ground.

[Gary Lawson]

“The motor is too far offset.”

Says who? The karts that have welded on struts will need the engine offset pretty far. It will run just fine. I’ve run with my clutch outboard and offset a bunch to get proper clearance for the strut and third bearing. Getting them fitted isn’t that difficult if you have the right equipment and talk to the right people.

[Gary Lawson]

The earlier the better is likely the consensus any kart racer would tell you. You can take him to a fun kart track if you have one nearby and he is old enough to drive them or ride along with you. Or just take him to the race track to watch. Walk around and talk to the parents and ask questions. Many track owners even make opportunities to let new/potential racers try out a kart after the events are over at local tracks.

[Gary Lawson]

Did you try kartsport?

[Gary Lawson]

100 shipped

[Gary Lawson]

Don’t worry about the brake system if it’s for a 206. You won’t got through a set of pads in a 20 race season. I can shim my arrow brakes in less than one minute without hurrying. On the other hand the otk self adjusting system is the most high maintenance system I have ever used because they need bled frequently.

When looking for a kart used, price vs how old it is is important. Also, ideally you would like a kart designed for low hp, specifically 4cycle.

[Gary Lawson]

If you’re referring to otk vs aftermarket (ferrodo?) then no, there’s no difference in performance. Otk is just very proud of their stuff.

[Gary Lawson]

Looks like around a 98 brava 4 with the front torsion bar removed and a flathead engine. I would stay away from it. You can find a quality kart about 3-5 years old for 1500 and add the motor

[Gary Lawson]

+1 to TJs comments. Sounds like you need to back out the idle screw. Turning the low in to leave the pits and for starts is standard procedure

[Gary Lawson]

The 2015 has slightly more caster built in from what I’ve found. Otherwise they seem identical.

[Gary Lawson]

That kart will not safely make a right turn and switching tires around will not help. If you tried to turn right it would flip over rather easily. These karts are not toys and shouldn’t be treated as such. We’ve all heard too many horror stories about people running karts on places other than tracks. Tracks have appropriate run off a reason case of any brake or throttle failure.

[Gary Lawson]

Otk karts win nearly every big rotax event in the usa every year for a reason. It’s not s secret that every manufacturer has been chasing them. You could argue a few have caught up, but with seemingly 80% of drivers on otk karts at rotax grands every year, it’s pretty obvious what your choice should be. And top kart would not be on my short list.

[Gary Lawson]

I’ve worked on a couple margays that have them and they crack where they bolt to the frame. I prefer using a standard pill setup. I used to think independent adjustment was a necessity but it’s simply not critical.

[Gary Lawson]

I enjoy doing tech articles from time to time and I’m planning on doing another at some point in the near future for comet kart sales. Thanks for the positive thoughts

[Gary Lawson]

Seat size and if the kart previously had a bigger seat will also determine how many washers are necessary. You don’t want to bend the strut back and forth more than a time or two or it will crack.

[Gary Lawson]

The nylon will mount the seat a little more rigid than actual rubber. They both help reduce vibration from the engine. Mounting it solid with only steel washers can make the driver feel w lot of vibration. I’ve done this with a yamaha and it almost takes your breath away from the vibration. You can use as many washers as necessary but ideally you should have less than an inch of washers on the sides. The bottom on many karts regularly takes aa much as 2″

[Gary Lawson]

Email garylawson25@yahoo.com

[Gary Lawson]

Doesn’t look like you can as is unless it has an eccentric pill on the bottom. Odds are you can drill out yoke on the bottom and put a pill on though. I would also lower that front ride height. Looks like it’s full high.

[Gary Lawson]

Front tire looks fine to me. Using the whole front tire is not something I ever aim for. The only karts that appear to get even tire wear on the front are karts that run a lot of caster. The inside tire will actually wear some on entry and with all the caster it gains a ton of positive camber. The rear tires look to be wearing the inside edge hard because the axle is deflecting too much and resulting in camber gain during cornering.

High tire pressure will also focus tire wear on the inner half of each tire.

[Gary Lawson]

Man up and drive it if it’s at the factory recommended setting. Lol. I’m just joking but it’s probsbly what would actually be best. I would think you need to get used to driving the kart as is. IDid it truly is excessive then less caster and/or softer front bar will help. I/we surely don’t mind answering your questions but if I just bought a new kart I would be talking to the people that sold it to me.

[Gary Lawson]

Point being the steel version is considerable cheaper and saves axles nonetheless etc

[Gary Lawson]

There’s a steel version available. Comet may be able to get them for you or kartsport would have them.

[Gary Lawson]

This year will be my 5th year on the same set of skf ceramic bearings. They are worth the money for me. Not to mention how they don’t ruin axles and they make axle changes so much easier.

[Gary Lawson]

Get a bearing with removable shields so you can clean and relube easily. I use a light amount of grease with a squirt of tri flow. I do this procedure every few race days. I have more important things to do at the track than maintenance bearings. Also, spraying in a lubricant at the track almost always just pushes dirt in that is around the bearing anyway so it does more harm than good. A bearing manufacturer sends them with grease for a reason imo

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