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Messages - turbo_bird

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: November 04, 2018, 06:54:34 pm »
I don't think if switching to ARMA rules has been decided yet, but I was told if I built to them I'd be allowed to race at Barriere as well as elsewhere in the province. I might as well build to the ARMA rules then, it gets me 1" lower and 2" wider than the old rules. And if they're not going strictly by the ARMA rules, I can probably disconnect the governor and play with my gearing at the Barriere races if I feel the need. I don't know what they'll do with guys that have built other stuff, but I would guess they'd probably still be allowed to race at least at Barriere.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: November 01, 2018, 09:51:30 pm »
I talked to one of the people that's in on organizing the local races, and I was told if I build to the ARMA rules I'll be good to go. So I guess I'll drop the ride height an inch, and build it according to the Superstock rules. I guess that takes any of the gearing questions I might have out of the equation too, and the engine should last a long time with the governor still being used.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: October 31, 2018, 12:40:37 am »
No, I added steel to the outside of the frame, but it doesn't extend past the original stamped flange more than 1/16" (thickness of the steel I used), and it looks kind of like it belongs there. Switching to ARMA rules means I can drop my ride height an inch though, and I'll have to change the way I was going to do my steering and seat. I was planning to build it like a supermod with a kart seat and steering running straight to the front. The ARMA rules would mean I have to go with a mower seat and leave the steering column in the stock location. Not a huge deal at this point in time, but it would suck to have it built and then find out. Thanks for the heads up on the potential rule changes. I haven't heard back yet to see if the changes are going ahead, hopefully I can get some info in the next couple days.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: October 30, 2018, 03:27:40 pm »
I had a look through the ARMA rules, if they go with them it totally changes what I need to build. I'm waiting on a call back from the organizer of the Barriere fall fair races to see what's going on before I get too far into this. It's still pretty easy to change things at this time. Hopefully I'll be allowed to run with a homemade hood, as none of the mowers I've managed to scavenge had one.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: October 30, 2018, 11:01:55 am »
I didn't talk to anyone this year. I did ask on their Facebook page if adding steel outside of the original chassis was allowed though, and someone responded saying it's ok. If they go with some official rules does that mean what I've done to reinforce the frame won't be allowed?
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: October 29, 2018, 09:17:40 pm »
Finally back at it, and it feels good to be welding and grinding and actually building something again. The first step was to reinforce the stamped sheet metal chassis. Turns out these things have almost as much torsional rigidity as the proverbial wet noodle. With the chassis sitting on my very crappy build table I could pick up any corner about 1/2" without any others lifting up. That just won't do, so I welded on some old shelf brackets to reinforce things a bit. Without adding any cross members it's already a lot better.












I used a piece of 1" tubing to mock up my rear axle. I squared it to the chassis and put shims under each side, then tacked it to the chassis so I can mount my bearings. I'm using bearings with 4 bolt flanges, but I think I'm going to only use 3 bolts and trim the extra one off the bearing carriers. The dowels are welded to the brackets, and should help keep everything aligned. The hole through the frame rail also has a tube welded in so the bolt won't collapse the frame when I tighten it. Good thing grinders and paint make me look like the welder I ain't.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: October 12, 2018, 04:31:45 pm »
Here's the tube parts I made, and the bender I used. I made the second hoop today so I've got my grill support too. I don't have a good for this mower, so I'm going to cut one out of aluminum sheet.

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: October 11, 2018, 11:45:34 pm »
Cool, thanks. I was thinking of building hubs like you linked to, but was worried they wouldn't hold up. I can whip a couple up with some couplers and my dad's lathe easy enough. If it doesn't last I can just try something different then. I'm going to use the stock front wheels, and I'll probably reinforce them with some plate like you did. One of the local racers i talked to mentioned that too. Having a wheel center come apart during a race would probably be pretty exciting. I was working with some 3/4" x .065" wall stainless tubing at work today and had some scraps, so I bent up a couple nerf bars and a dash support. The problem is I work away from home and have flights booked until February, so I might have to see if they'll fit a suitcase. I'll probably get some funny looks at the airport with them. It kind of sucks, I have lots of scrap tubing at home but the bender for 3/4" is about $1000, and I only have access to it when I'm at work.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: October 11, 2018, 09:22:25 am »
The hubs are 3 bolt, but welding new centers into my wheels or making adapters wouldn't be hard. Do people use the other style ones and they work good? I was concerned with something like that wobbling on the axle because it doesn't clamp on. I would think that that any movement would quickly destroy the axle and hub. Maybe I'm overthinking it though.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: October 09, 2018, 10:17:01 pm »
I've been mostly just figuring out what I can use for parts so far. The ATV wheels I was going to buy are apparently discontinued and no longer available, so I picked up some 8x6 trailer wheels with a 4 on 4" bolt pattern. They were way more expensive, but they came with tires that I can use on my boat trailer, so figured that was worth it. I picked up bearings for a 1" axle, and some other stuff like sprockets and hubs for them and my brake rotor. I was thinking of building my own wheel hubs using split tapered hubs to keep them tight on the axle, but then I found these go-kart hubs in Canada for what looks like a decent price.
http://www.kartworks.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=198&products_id=1229
Would they be strong enough for racing on a fairly rough surface? They'll certainly be lighter than what I was thinking, and require less fabrication. I mounted one of my new tires to check the diameter, and they're 15.5" inflated to 15 psi. I need 5" of clearance to the chassis, which is 2" tall, so this means I'll run my axle above the chassis and not have to notch anything. If I ever switch to smaller tires I'll have to change things up, but I'll cross that bridge if I ever get to it. I've decided I'm going to use the chassis pan from the Craftsman. I can reinforce the frame in basically any way I see fit, so I'm going to weld some reinforcements to the outside rather than the inside like most do. I got the pan all cleaned up today and came up with a bit of a plan at least.

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: September 16, 2018, 09:56:02 am »
Sounds like you're on the right track , cheers from Canada's east coast!
Thanks, good to see there's a few Canadians on here too.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: September 13, 2018, 12:42:04 pm »
I don't golf, so I hadn't thought of golf cart wheels, thanks. I also just realized I've got a crappy little chinese quad out back that has 8" wheels, so I might just rob those for now. I should be able to use the rear brake too. I won't be able to get anything done for a couple weeks though, I'm away from home two weeks at a time for work. I might also see what I can find for some 1.25" tubing locally for my rear axle, might as well go straight to the good stuff. I think I'm going to pick up some 16x6.5 tires for the rear too. They're only $23 at our version of harbor freight. They'll let me get my butt a bit lower between them. The same place also has 8x7 atv wheels for $30, those should do the job.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: September 11, 2018, 11:05:45 am »
Thanks MOWtaku, I was thinking about that too. With a radius at the end of the cut it should be ok, but I might be better off modifying the wheels instead. I have to run steel wheels, so no go-kart stuff here. I could get some 8x7 trailer wheels though, but they're pretty heavy.
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: September 10, 2018, 07:08:07 pm »
Cool, I didn't know there was any racing in Salmon Arm. My in-laws live there, maybe I'll have to visit them more often. If I have something put together for Thanksgiving I might try to get to Armstrong for the race. What classes and rules do you guys run?
Kristian

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Racing Mower Builds / Re: Kamloops, BC mod class racer
« on: September 10, 2018, 01:10:43 pm »
Are talking about Barriere? Or does Kamloops have a race too?
I'll be racing in Barriere. I live in the middle, Kamloops is just the nearest city. Are you one of the Barriere racers? I think they do some racing in Armstrong too, I might head that way as well.
Kristian

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