GoKart for #6046RD FINALLY!

[skullandbones]

The gokart performed pretty well. The clutch cable came off halfway thru so we limped along in 1st gear but were able to drive back to the house. I thought I had done everything but forgot to install a clutch pedal stop. Fixed that problem.

The PS worked great. I don't think I will have to modify it at this point. My DIY alignment needs some tweeking, I'm sure, but drove well wasn't twitchy or wandering. It was remarkably easy to drive. Since I had never been behind the wheel of a Cobra, I was only going by what I had heard from various sources including the FFR community. So all in all, it was a good first drive. There will be a few more to fine tune the alignment and check the brake bias on the Wilwood system. But it didn't lock up front or back so I guess it's close. Man it's more fun than I even imagined. I have enough power it this point! Thanks for all the help from the FFR forum guys for getting me over some of the speed humps so far. On to the bodywork! See ya! WEK. :cool::cool::cool:

Trouble with the video will have to post later. Sorry!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Congratulations! :cool:

Jeff

[MPTech]

Very cool! Congratulations!

So, besides the clutch cable and alignment, any other issues you need to address as a result of your first voyage?
Just trying to pick up on any lessons learned for my up-coming first cruise (hopefully within the next month) :cool:

[Gumball]

Man... isn't that a great feeling. It really hits you the next day when you realize just how many parts have come together through your own skill to make this possible. Congratulations!!!!

[skullandbones]

Man... isn't that a great feeling. It really hits you the next day when you realize just how many parts have come together through your own skill to make this possible. Congratulations!!!!

Absolutely! I thought it would be a little anti-climatic since it's taken me so long but it really does make an impression. I have a small group of astronomers I meet with regularly. I showed them the video. They knew I was building the roadster but they aren't car nuts so that subject doesn't come up often. One asked me if I built it from the ground up. Of course, my answer is yes. I wanted to say every bolt, nut, rivet, wire,...........etc but I didn't. Anyway, I think they can appreciate the project because it is as elegant in it's simplicity as it is with a beautiful telescope.

You know, I can't think of any other things that concerned me about the first outing, MPTech. However, I may be further along in the build than many who gokart. Technically, I could put the body on right now.

I felt rather embarrassed that I forgot the clutch stop. The thing has been sitting there staring me in the face. I even had it on a pick list and somehow missed it. Oh well. The biggest failure was the video attempts. My wife's new Nikon didn't have a video card. She's been taking HD pictures but no video. The iphone shots were grainey. It was a little later in the evening than we had planned. The Flip video which is usually good didn't do well (must not have an anti-vibration mode) in the car. So we are going to do a re-enactment of the "First GoKart" tomorrow. Hopefully, it will look better.

I have to say, thanks to Dave and FFR for the R and D on this MkIII. It is far better than I expected on my first outing. I did keep the project rather simple so I can't take credit for the way the thing performs out of the box so to speak. It's just designed very nicely. And I can't get over how easy it drives. I will report on tweeks as we go along with the test runs. Thanks again, WEK.

[AZPete]

DON"T BELIEVE HIM! He says "now onto the bodywork" but he knows now how much fun it is to drive! The dust will be flying in his sort-of-rural neighborhood from the roads, not from his sander. :)
Pete

[skullandbones]

Hey Pete,

That's cruel but true! You know I'd rather play than work. I did produce a dust storm when trying to back into the garage for the first time. But I finally made it to the concrete. I haven't learned how to modulate that clutch for delicate manuveurs like backing up a grade. But I am serious about beginning the bodywork. My next door neighbor is a jack of all trades and master of "some". He actually, likes doing bodywork and painting cars. So we were discussing the bodywork on the roadster today. It's nice to have someone close by to give input and feedback on a pretty much immediate basis. You know the value of instant gratification can never be under estimated! Fill, sand, fill, sand, fill sand,..........repeat. WEK.