THE TRANSMISSION OF A KART

The sprocket is the "driving wheel" that receives motion directly from the engine (or from the gearbox gear cascade) while the gear wheel is the "driven wheel”. Between these two elements there is the chain, which has the task of transmitting the motion from the sprocket to the gear wheel. The number of sprocket and gear wheel teeth determines the transmission ratio, the choice of which is essential in order to adapt the performance of the engine torque to the characteristics of a track. There is no differential, which is the organ that allows different rotation speeds between the axis wheels, because the connection between them is rigid, since they are on the same axle. There is no chain tensioner either, the device that allows the tension of the chain to be kept constant, to prevent excessive oscillations causing the chain to come out from the teeth of the gear wheel and sprocket on which it is installed. Maintenance, which also includes periodic checking of alignment and tightening, is therefore essential to avoid damage on the track.