Caster Settings

[Clay Maddox]

What are the effects and results of running more or less caster on a 2005 Birel R30? Right now I am running the std(straight up) pills but I have 0.5 and 1 degree pills. Thanks.

[Chris Lobaugh]

Adding caster (leaning the kingpins back toward the driver) will make the inside tire dig into the ground harder and make the outside tire fall away further. This helps the chassis to "work" (lift the inside rear tire off the ground). If the rear of the kart has too much grip and is pushing the front, caster in will help.
chris

[John M. Skowron]

I had a problem with front wheel hop recently. I moved the front wheels out, which seemed to have the same effect as caster, but changing the turn in a bit. It allowed the inside rear to come up. I am going to try moving the front wheels back in and adding caster the next test session i can get to.

[Garry Lobaugh]

A front wheel hop is usually a bad king pin bearing, almost always.. When was the last time you took your front end apart? The Euro race teams are into the front end of the karts constantly, yet most of the American drivers don't even check to see if the king pin is straight. I'd start there. Garry

[John M. Skowron]

Thanks Gary. I'll check that out. You are right, I rarely ever take appart the front end. I had one disintegrate on me last year.