Can standard measurements work across the board on different chassis/manufacturers to get the seat in the right spot?
What is the correct approach to installing a seat in order to get the kart to scale the way you want front/rear and side/side. It’s almost impossible to do this without having a starting point that is very close. Doing it while on scales from scratch would be incredibly difficult and time consuming and you’d probably end up with a seat full of a million drilled holes as you shift it and add weights to different points.
I am going to be going to a new chassis and installing a new seat so I want to know the correct approach to take.
The answer to your first inquiry is no. There isn’t one seat position that works for all drivers, chassis, etc.
However, many chassis manufacturers have “seat numbers” that they include in diagrams or user guides. Tonykart, Arrow, and CRG have nice user guides when it comes to this, and I am sure other manufacturers do as well.
A good place to start would be to measure your seat position in your current kart with reference to where measurements are made on the new chassis (for example, from the front roll hoop to the “hips” on the seat, etc.). Then, I would consult with your local chassis dealer or any qualified chassis representative.
Many chassis may have similar numbers, but likely different tuners and dealers have different values they prefer.
Ultimately, like many things in karting, the answers you may get can vary. The more reference points you get, the better you may be able to determine where your seat likely needs to be.
Hi, it’s a birel ry30-s5. I actually have the birel seat placement chart for the chassis but it only gives measurements from the top of seat to the front hoop. I wanted to know where to install it left right, so maybe distances from top of seat to each kinpin, but they chart doesn’t mention that
Valid question. Mounting left to right can vary significantly from chassis to chassis and sometimes is Constrained by the chassis itself and the seat support uprights.
Would suggest measuring current kart and contacting MRP for corresponding measurement recommendations!
What about if my seat is smaller that the width of the two main frame rails on the chassis.
What is the correct thing to do here? Should I smack one of the two frame arms to bring it in and get closer to the seat ? And if so which one? Brake side or engine side? Or should I fill the gap with washers?
Unless you have scales, just center it between the bracket and don’t worry too much about it now. If you have access to scales, then over course get the left and right sides as close to equal as you can get them.
Don’t go all fancy trying to offset your weights for dominant corners, just put it in the center for now.
If you can, get a piece of 1-1.5" nylon/plastic round bar, you can cut to fit in the spaces and drill it . If it’s over 1/2", I personally do not like to use washers. I fill it with a solid piece that doesn’t have the ability to move around as much. Same for under front of seat.
James I actually am gonna scale it but I wanted to know what the correct approach was to mounting the seat and scaling. From what you guys are saying it seems mount the seat as per the recommendations on the chart then put the kart on the scales with fuel etc and then distribute my lead to get the percentages I want?
I want to avoid drilling a bunch of holes in my new seat though this was my biggest concern
