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Many hours of development and track testing have already been done to insure the best handling chassis possible.  We hope the following information will help you in adjusting and properly setting up your kart.  With the different types of racing and horsepower engines available, different “set ups” are needed. 

Because of the size and shapes of individuals, no one combination or “set up” will suit everyone.  Normally a fair amount of track testing and different adjustments are needed to suit a specific driver to a kart. 

Tires, track conditions, and weather are also important factors in handling needs.  Dirt ovals require different ”set ups” from asphalt road courses.  Experimentation and time usually help drivers achieve their “set up”. 

We recommend our 1 1/4 inch frame karts for tracks that are uneven or rough. These karts unload more predictably for rough tracks.

Hope you have a winning season! 

Thank you, 

Robin Bradshaw
Competition Karting
 
 

•  TIRES + WHEELS  

Keep in mind that tire hardness goes hand in hand with track conditions.  Softer compounds usually go with track conditions that offer wet, slick conditions.  Hard, fast tracks like harder, more durable compounds.  Softer tires that yield more grip often work better on asphalt tracks that have little grip for cooler temperatures when track temperatures and track grip are good, normally harder compounds are better suited. 
 

RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE 

 DIRT 

Left         4-10 lbs. 
Right       5-12 lbs. 

ASPHALT 

Left      8-11 lbs. 
Right   10-13 lbs. 
 
 

•  STAGGER 

• SEAT 

All body work and seat work should be completed before the kart is scaled.  Body work should not obstruct driver's vision and should maintain 1" to 1 1/2" ground clearance depending on track conditions. 
 

• KART WEIGHT 

Front - 43% to 45.5% 
Left  - 54% to 59% 
Cross - 50% to 60% 

     Conditions & Adjustments

Cool, wet, soft tracks normally like lower left side weights as well as lower cross weights.  Harder fast track conditions normally yield higher corner force,  which requires more left side, and / or more cross.  AV - 3 karts tend to have less diagonal flex resulting in less cross percentage than AV - 2 and AV-4 karts.  Experimentation will determine the best set-up. 

Asphalt set ups are similar in percentage numbers.  Tracks with better grip and conditions will take more left side weight and cross weight.  Tracks with less grip normally fair better with lower weight percentages.  We recommend tire stagger and pressure be set before weigh out. 
 

• FRONT END GEOMETRY 

As a starting point we recommend stock caster settings of, 9 degrees left front and 10 degrees right front.  See Photo. 
Each mark represents 2 degree caster movement. 

    CAMBER ANGLES. 
 
 

Camber angles should be set with dry weight, and kart resting completely level 
Using angle finder or camber gauge.  Toe-in should be set + straight ahead. 

•  We recommend straight – 1/16” toe-out for Dirt. 
•  Straight to 1/16” toe-in for Asphalt. 

We recommend that you experiment with camber angle as well as caster adjustments to find the best set-up for your application.  Each mark on caster adjustment represents 2 degrees.  Good luck and happy karting.  If you have any questions, please contact our technical help at CKI.  336-731-6111. 
 

• TIPS

Keep brakes shimed and aligned properly. 

Check brake fluid every race. 

Axle, axle bearings, tie rod ends, and spindle bearings should be checked and cleaned regularly. 

          Be sure brake and sprocket keys are safely locked and in position. 

          Adjust brake and acceleration pedals to suit you and check all cotter keys regularly.