Michael Richard's Journal

Finally came to the conclusion that the Jappic has to be done right, so I'm tabling it for now and starting on an Austin 7 Special. I've acquired most of the parts for the front axle/suspension, but am waiting on the DOM tubing for the axle end pivots. I've ground out the ends of the 1 5/8 straight axle to accomodate them at 5 degrees KPI. I went conservative on this as the general consensus is that while it does make a difference, not so much on the light front ends on these Karts. Axle without ends is 30.5 inches with the kingpin mounts it should be 31 7/8. I'll build the caster in with the radius arm brackets that will give me some adjustment on this. I went kinda backwards from the norm in that the spindles are made of 3 inch 1/4 steel "C" brackets that will have a reinforcing plate welded to them, and then the 3/4" stub axle will be drilled through, installed from the back and welded in there. I'm hoping that this will take any weakness from welding and place it on the non- load bearing back of the spindle bracket. We'll see.