Kid Kart Chassis Tips

• Friction is your enemy

  Make sure you keep all wheel and axle bearings very well lubricated.  The wheels and axle should spin very free.  

  Lubricate the chain well after every race.  Make sure and apply your chain lube to the inside surface of the chain rollers, where they contact the sprocket teeth.  

   

• To correct oversteer - back end loose

  Decrease rear tire pressure

  Move wheels inward on rear axle

  Stiffen rear of frame

   

• To correct understeer - front end loose

  Decrease front tire pressure

  Move wheels inward on spindles

   

• The lighter the better

  A number of organizations don't have a minimum weight for the kid kart class.  This is a significant opportunity.  When lightening the kart first concentrate on rotating parts then fixed parts.  Remember to be sensible and don't compromise the integrity or safety of the kart.  The rotating improvements also help, even if you do run a minimum weight restriction.  

  Some things to try are;

  Aluminum axle

  Synthetic axle sprocket

  Lightweight sprocket hub

  Lightened brake rotor

  Lighter attachment  bolts and nuts for sprocket and hub

• Nerf bars

  Nerf bars should be loosely attached to the frame.  You don't want the nerf bars stiffening the chassis.  They can be used as a tuning aid if desired.