Cal Club Autocross Forums

I've got my hands on an FJB kart for my daughter, Maddie, to drive in FJB. It's going to take some elbow grease to get it in shape to drive, though, and one of the first things I need to deal with is getting the engine running. Problem is it requires an electric starter (Burris Racing driving a shaft with a square fitting on the end), and the starter's battery is dead. I've been wresting with the battery change for a couple days now (it's not easily user changeable), but I'd like to jump to a more immediate step and try to get the engine started to see if there are any issues on that end. I think I've seen people starting their kid karts by wrapping a strap of some kind around the rear tire and giving it a good yank. Would that work? The engine is a Yamaha KT100, if that matters.

The strap will work, maybe---alot of pulling on a motor that has not been run in a couple of years or so . I jumped the battery with a car battery or a battery charger (can't remember which) to turn it over when I started it... The Burris battery is really dead!!

Don

strap won't work because of the clutch. you pretty much need the starter.

Kurt Ra wrote:I've got my hands on an FJB kart for my daughter, Maddie, to drive in FJB. It's going to take some elbow grease to get it in shape to drive, though, and one of the first things I need to deal with is getting the engine running. Problem is it requires an electric starter (Burris Racing driving a shaft with a square fitting on the end), and the starter's battery is dead. I've been wresting with the battery change for a couple days now (it's not easily user changeable), but I'd like to jump to a more immediate step and try to get the engine started to see if there are any issues on that end. I think I've seen people starting their kid karts by wrapping a strap of some kind around the rear tire and giving it a good yank. Would that work? The engine is a Yamaha KT100, if that matters.

The fact that you asked that question Kurt is a good indicator. Indicator of what you might ask? It indicates that a prudent course of action is to take everything you bought to Eric's house and leave the stuff for a week. Let him get things squared away for you so you can start with a clean slate. Less frustration for you; some sheckles for Eric. It's a win-win.

George Schilling wrote:The fact that you asked that question Kurt is a good indicator. Indicator of what you might ask? It indicates that a prudent course of action is to take everything you bought to Eric's house and leave the stuff for a week. Let him get things squared away for you so you can start with a clean slate. Less frustration for you; some sheckles for Eric. It's a win-win.

That's actually a good idea. I'd like to try and get the engine running myself first, but the problem with the battery is one that requires more heavy duty tools that Eric has in his garage. Eric, I'll be calling.

George Schilling wrote:

Kurt Ra wrote:I've got my hands on an FJB kart for my daughter, Maddie, to drive in FJB. It's going to take some elbow grease to get it in shape to drive, though, and one of the first things I need to deal with is getting the engine running. Problem is it requires an electric starter (Burris Racing driving a shaft with a square fitting on the end), and the starter's battery is dead. I've been wresting with the battery change for a couple days now (it's not easily user changeable), but I'd like to jump to a more immediate step and try to get the engine started to see if there are any issues on that end. I think I've seen people starting their kid karts by wrapping a strap of some kind around the rear tire and giving it a good yank. Would that work? The engine is a Yamaha KT100, if that matters.

The fact that you asked that question Kurt is a good indicator. Indicator of what you might ask? It indicates that a prudent course of action is to take everything you bought to Eric's house and leave the stuff for a week. Let him get things squared away for you so you can start with a clean slate. Less frustration for you; some sheckles for Eric. It's a win-win.

That's what I do. Eric rocks

Plus if the kid sees you struggling with the kart too much it may stop looking like fun.

Theo O. wrote:Plus if the kid sees you struggling with the kart too much it may start looking like entertainment.

Fixed... ;)

Will Kalman wrote:

Theo O. wrote:Plus if the kid sees you struggling with the kart too much it may start looking like entertainment.

Fixed... ;)

Given her personality, I'd say Will's scenario is closer to reality. She's a stinker

Will Kalman wrote:

Theo O. wrote:Plus if the kid sees you struggling with the kart too much it may start looking like entertainment.

Fixed... ;)

I've used a jumper cable to a starter battery also.

Richard Jung wrote:I've used a jumper cable to a starter battery also.

Don't even mention jumper cables to me

Starter is fixed, Mari will have it back in Pasadena tomorrow.

Eric Clements wrote:Starter is fixed, Mari will have it back in Pasadena tomorrow.

Schweeeeeeeeeeeeet. Thanks, Eric!

Eric Clements wrote:Starter is fixed, Mari will have it back in Pasadena tomorrow.

That was fast. Now wise up and get the rest of the kart over to Eric.