Scales

[warx]

Does anyone in the pack have a set of kart scales? I bought about 20lb of lead to fit to my kart and wanted to see the best places to add it.

If not - I was thinking about getting a cheap 150lb postal unit and three similar sized pieces of wood (and my 72" level).

I don't need to do this often or quickly - probably just once TBH!

Thanks
Mike.

[brad42]

I have a set of 4 of the 150lb. Postal scales, and a stand to level them all. I am laid up this weekend getting pretty major oral surgery, so we need to figure out a way to get them to you.

[warx]

Sorry to hear about the surgery.

Is the setup very portable? I have not been able to get to the tracks so far and even though I am trying to gear up for my first race. Weekends are now skiing and little league.

I am not sure where you are located - I am over in Marin County (south of San Rafael). Would it be easier for me to bring my kart and weights to the scales??

Thanks
Mike.

[brad42]

The scales themselves fit in a 18"x18" case, but the stand is a little big. It comes apart and is transportable in just about anything bigger than a SMART car.

I am 20ish miles south of Sacramento. Highway99 and Dillard rd + 10 minutes.

[warx]

OK I got to weigh my clone at Blue Max (Thanks Leo): 156lb

Now home scaling with front/rear estimates with me in it:

Me (after lunch!) 178.5
My gear 12.0
--------
190.5

My bathroom scale pair
Front: 60.0
Back: 91.0
-----------
151.0

5lb off official scales due to cheap scales and method error. But... not important for estimating the bias.

I now I need to add at least 15lb ballast.

Next I weighed it with me sitting in my gear. I could only read the back scales so I will calculate the front assuming the other part of my 190.5lb is being exerted there).
Back: 221.0
Front: 120.0 (calc)

So main thing the front-back weight tells me is that I have a weight bias of 35% : 65%
and I know I need to add 15lb of lead. If I add it at the front I can get to (135:206) 40% : 60% which is better. Still shy of the magic 43%:57%.

Next thing is I feel in my seat that my arms are pretty extended when turning - and my forearms are not at same angle as thighs (I hear that is a good indication). I am going to tilt my wheel a bit with a couple of those wedge spacers. I could move my seat forward a bit but I measured at the back of the seat to the axle and I am already at 18.5cm which I thought was a lot.

So..... my question is how much further forward should I move my seat? I don't want to drill a bunch of holes trying to find the spot. Is this weight truly a good indication of correct seat position? I don't mind having legs bent more if I can get my arms straighter.

[brad42]

When you are weiging the back, what is on the ground in te front? Bumper? Or front tires?