6 doubts (solved!) About kart seats – part 2 of 2
16
Doctor Tkart | Mounting the kart’s seat in the correct position
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Mounting the kart’s seat in the correct position
17 December 2016
Installing the seat is not as simple as it seems. Both due to the difficulty of the job in itself and the importance that the correct position has on the rigidity of the chassis, the set-up and the kart’s reactions
IN SHORT
Take measurements; drill holes in the seat; mount it correctly; adjust the pedals and the steering wheel to find the best position
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Looking at a kart superficially, it is easy for those with less expertise to consider the seat an “additional” accessory. Basically: there’s a frame, an engine, tyres, brakes, a steering wheel ...then, of course, you also need a piece of plastic (not that it is made of plastic...) on which to sit. Nothing could be more inaccurate, because a stark vehicle like a kart, on which everything is kept down to the bare bones, the seat has a very important role and becomes a fundamental part of the “chassis-system”. Indeed, the seat confers increased or decreased rigidity.
Furthermore, its position has a significant influence on the set-up and the way the kart responds.
So...listen to the “doc.” and these instructions on how to install a seat on the chassis properly.
TOOLS FOR THE JOB
■ BRACKETS FOR SEAT MOUNTING
■ AN ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVER WITH AN 8MM BIT
■ A 13 MM WRENCH
■ A MARKER PEN
■ A CLAMP
■ A 5 MM ALLEN WRENCH
■ AN ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVER WITH AN 8MM BIT
■ A 13 MM WRENCH
■ A MARKER PEN
■ A CLAMP
■ A 5 MM ALLEN WRENCH
1
STEP 5 MIN.
easy
It may seem trivial, but the first step is to choose the right sized seat. It’s nothing complicated, just sit in an unmounted seat and rest your hands to the sides of your torso, at the height of your ribs, in order to mimic the thickness of a rib protection vest (which must always be used). Now, having placed the kart on a trolley to make working on it less complicated, place the seat chosen onto the chassis and begin positioning it using the special jigs (lower bracket and rear bracket).
1.
Choose the right size of seat, simulating the thickness of the rib protection vest
2.
Place the seat onto the chassis
3.
Use the jigs to position the seat correctly
2
STEP 10 MIN.
easy
The first jig should be placed exactly under the seat, in order to determine the height of the seat bottom. Use the second jig and a tape measure to measure the distance between the axle and the upper/rear edge of the seat, which must be the same as the one supplied by the kart manufacturer (it is usually about 20 cm). The next measurements needed are those between the seat tabs and the front tube. Caution: the distance of the right tab must be greater than the left one. Indeed, the seat should be mounted in an asymmetric position on the kart.
4.
Measure the distance between the seat tabs and the front tube of the bodyshell
When you go out on the track for fun, without concentrating on performance, we recommend positioning the seat slightly higher than the limit shown on the jig. This will prevent the premature wear of the seat due to friction against the asphalt. One trick is to put a ring between the jig and the seat during mounting: 4mm to 5 mm are more than enough to protect it.
5.
Measure the distance between the axle and the edge of the seat
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