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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

GO KARTING!
A Guide To The World's Most Popular Motorsport.

Kart Expo International

First of all, it is not a clutch problem but it definitely will cause problems! Several things or a combination of events WILL cause the shoes to turn blue.

1. The most common cause is when a new driver “rides” the gas and the brake at the same time because he/she is not familiar with the kart. Short stop and go runs will cause excess heat – the longer the run, the more time the clutch has to cool down.

2. Idle set too high – Briggs sets their idle at 1750 RPM at the factory. All dealers should own a tachometer that clips onto the spark plug wire and a ground. A tach made by Design Technology (708-920-1300) is ideal for this and is priced right. It helps to make your shop look more professional when you tell a kart owner that the idle has been re-adjusted too high and that is a what ruined the clutch.

3. Throttle stuck and won’t let a kart idle below 2000 RPM – To check this, look at the linkage assembly and make the necessary adjustments.

4. Wrong rear sprocket – The ratio should be 6 to 1 with a standard tire of 14 inches in diameter. A live axle and/or large knobby tires are harder on a clutch. So, gearing is very important. Using a rear sprocket close to the diameter of the tire will help prolong the life of a clutch.

5. Kart owner has installed a restrictor that limits the speed of the go-kart – This is bad news for any clutch. The recommended running speed of a Briggs or Tecumseh engine is about 3,600 RPM. If you want to slow a kart down, the Max-Torque Jackshaft 2:1 Gear Reducer does the trick.

Typical “restrictors” include a block of wood or a bolt behind the gas pedal to limit the travel of the gas pedal. Another type is loose throttle linkage or a stop placed on the linkage so the engine cannot reach the recommended operating RPMs. Yet another type is a restrictor in the air cleaner limiting how much air reaches the engine for combustion. All of these restrictors will ruin a clutch in a short period of time and will eventually ruin the engine as well.

Once the clutch shoes have turned blue from excess heat, the spring surrounding the shoes has been annealed and has lost its ability to fully contract the shoes. This dangerous situation can cause a kart to “run away” when an engine is started with no one in the driver’s seat holding the brake. No amount of lubrication will correct this problem. Since the clutch is a “throw-away” item, it should be replaced as soon as possible. 
 

About the author: Jim Donovan is the owner of Max-Torque Ltd. Melrose Park, Illinois. Telephone: 708-574-7022, e-mail: info@max-torque.com, web: www.maxtorque.com.

DON’T SPILL WHEN YOU FILL
Fueling tips for everyone

When it comes to the simple act of refilling equipment, fuel spillage is often overlooked. You may not realize it, but careless refilling leads to spilled fuel and evaporation, which releases hydrocarbon emissions into the atmosphere.

In fact, fuel spillage and evaporation are responsible for up to one-third of all fuel emissions. And most of it can be prevented! Don’t leave your fueling habits up in the air. Remember these helpful fuel handling tips:

DON’T SPILL WHEN YOU FILL – Use a funnel or non-spill nozzle. And take just a little more time … be a little more careful.

LEAVE ROOM FOR EXPANSION – Fill fuel containers and fuel tanks to only about three-fourths full, so that tanks don’t overflow from expansion that can result from temperature changes.

TIGHTEN FUEL CAPS – When fuel cans or engines are not being used, tightened caps will prevent evaporation.

TRANSPORT AND STORE PROPERLY – Find a cool place out of direct sunlight to store fuel cans. Also make sure the vent is tightly closed.

There are many ways to be “Earth Wise”, and responsible handling fuel is a contribution we all can make to help our environment.

For a free guide, write to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, 341 South Patrick Street, Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314.

Article courtesy of OPEI.
 

END

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