Karting Tools and Equipment

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planet6racing

New member
So, my Dad now has the racing bug and has purchased a Kart to start racing (used with 5 HP Briggs and I think a Coyote chassis). He picked up most of the safety gear at the same time (full suit, rib protection, etc.).

Since Christmas is coming up and there are people on this board who are/were karters, what are the three most useful tools/pieces of equipment that a newbie won't have but more experience people won't live without? He's going to build his own kart stand and they already have an RV, so...

Thanks for the help!

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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com
 
***three most useful tools/pieces of equipment***

A. Do not drink alcoholic beverages a couple days prior to practice & race days. He will be racing with KIDS 16 & over & he will need ALL his resources.

B. Some new youthfull muscles in his forarms.
How young is your dad ? If dad & Kart will be over weight he may want to loose some weight. Not said as a smart a$$ed comment. Weight is a VERY LARGE factor in Kart racing.

C. A memory stop watch that he can attach to the steering wheel that he can activate while on track. Read the lap times after session is complete. Sit down after each session & rethink each lap, the good & the ugly.

Bill, I started racing 2 cycle Karts for the first time ever during year 1991 @ 49 years young. Had a ball.
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If dad would like to talk over Karts, the track whatever let me know. The Kart stand can be purchased within reason. There is a guy from Oak creek who manufactures & sells them all over the country. Kenny I can't remember his last name at this time.

Have Fun
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David (Pops)
 
A bead breaker, clutch and chain breaker tool.

If his briggs runs on methanol another fuel jug with gasoline to run through the system between weekends.
 
Add front end alignment bars to at the previous excellent list.


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com
 
Oh yeah, and some Allen sockets and T-handle wrenches since it seems karts are put together with nothing but Allen screws head button and cap screws.


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com
 
A good STAND so he doesn't have to bend over or squat on the ground to work on it. Think about taking your race car to the track without a jack...

K
 
Originally posted by planet6racing:
He's going to build his own kart stand...
Click to expand...

Make sure he puts in on wheels. I made my first one that was just a "stand", had to push the thing all the way from the paddock space to grid. Also helps to put the kart on the stand immediately after going across the scales so that your tires don't pick up all kinds of stuff.

And to clarify my earlier post...I meant a clutch holding AND removal tool.

Never raced a Briggs so I don't know what tools may be unique to it, perhaps one of the ex 4-stroke guys can chime in...
 
Spare engine..

Beadbreaker, tire irons, tire mounting goop.

Elbow pad for the arm on the engine side.

Saftey wire pliers and saftey wire.

Chain breaker.

4 analog bathroom scales (to scale the cart and get cross weights)

A leakdown tester to keep an eye on the motor.

A inch/pounds torque wrench.
 
Tools are pretty straight forward, but DEFINITELY wear a rib vest. The Sparco padded one doesn't cut it either. Get one with hard plastic reinforcements around it (Ribtec, Deep Seat, etc). Especially for older guys, this is a must! 3 G's against a hard seat will separate or bruise ribs pretty easily.
 
OK, well, I guess I'm going to try and put together a collection of tools that he can just leave with the Kart and seperate from his regular tools. Of course, I'm trying to do this without him knowing about it. Next Questions:

1) Metric or Standard?

2) Tire Pressure gauge: What pressure range?

3) Is there any real advantage to the more expensive safety wire pliers?

Thanks for the help!

------------------
Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com
 
Originally posted by planet6racing:
OK, well, I guess I'm going to try and put together a collection of tools that he can just leave with the Kart and seperate from his regular tools. Of course, I'm trying to do this without him knowing about it. Next Questions:

1) Metric or Standard?

2) Tire Pressure gauge: What pressure range?

3) Is there any real advantage to the more expensive safety wire pliers?

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

The Coyote is US fasteners. If he has a Briggs, it will also be US fasteners.

The very highest pressures I ever used with a kart tire is around 30 psi. That was extreme. Usually I was around 12-20 psi. But 12 psi was pretty extreme the other direction and in danger of de-beading the tire. In fact, I've de-beaded a tire at higher pressures.

Couldn't tell you about the safety pliers. I bought mine for $10 from Harbor Freight.


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com
 
Tire pressures:

I was assuming pavement briggs, but that is almost not existant out here. California is over 95% 2 stroke classes on sprint tracks (short road cources), most of the 4 stroke guys run on clay ovals where their tire pressures are generally lower.

I also believe that most classes and clubs have steered the budget classes away from the sticky tires that make the Hoosiers look like rocks. 40 miles max out of a set of Bridgestone YEC compounds.

Find out what kind of tire compounds will be used.

0-30psi should be good. A '0-15' if on dirt or using sticky tires (1/4psi increments) would be preferred.

Which leads me to one 'tool' that wasn't mentioned. A 6' tape measure that is 1/4" wide blade or less. Used for toe measurements as well as stagger.
 
I have two sets of safety wire pliers. A pair from a Aero tool manufacturer that was over $60. Another from Harbor Freight for around $15. Yes there is a BIG difference in quality of the tool but not in their function.

Get one that the pull is spring return. No need to buy ones that twist CW and CCW.
 
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