Go Kart Racing Chain Care and Maintenance

  For some reason, taking care of the chain is something that is ignored by numerous go kart racers.These racers think that a chain does not require any care but they are wrong to think this as a chain requires care just like every other part of your racing go kart chassis and engine. Most of these racers will tell you that if you buy a good high quality racing go kart chain you never have to do any maintenance on the chain. I do agree that you should buy a high quality racing go kart chain but I have a regular routine for taking care of my chain. These are the steps that I use and these same steps can be used on your bar stool racer or your fun go kart when needed: Be careful and do this at your own risk as I assume no repsonsibilty for any injuries that could occur using this method.

1. Remove chain from kart using a pro style chain breaker. Do not use a master link for go kart racing. It will fail!!! Also, do not use one of those cheaper motorcycle chain breakers which seem to damage the chain almost every time you use one.
2. Wipe off any excess dirt or debris with a cloth rag or shop towel.
3. Pour about 10-12 ounces of type F transmission fluid into a 2 lb. metal coffee can.
4. Fold chain up until it is slightly smaller than coffe can and place chain in the can on its side (laying flat)
5. Place can on a lit propane or Coleman type stove burner outside in an open area away from anything that may burn. Make sure you heed the word outside or you may find yourself sleeping with your go kart. If you don't already have a stove like this you can find a propane single burner in the camping department of your local department store fairly cheap.
6. Turn flame on medium and allow transmission fluid to heat up and come to a boil.
7. As soon as fluid starts to boil carefully remove coffee can using a large pair of channel lock pliers and place it on the ground to cool. Be careful because if fluid stays on flame very long it will start to pop and shoot drops of boiling fluid out which do not feel good at all. Been there, done that!
8. Find some place that's not real dusty that you can put a nail or screw to hang chain on. Place a coffe can under where chain will hang to catch excess fluid.
9. Only allow the fluid to cool about 5-10 minutes before using a long screwdriver and large pliers, remove the chain from the can while fluid is still hot.
10. Hang the chain on nail with can under it and allow excess fluid to drip off. I ussually let it hang a few days but a few hours will suffice.
11. Remove chain and wipe it off with a clean lint free cloth and put it back on your kart using a pro style chain breaker.

  If you are go kart racing on asphalt I recommend doing this about every other race and using a chain lube after putting the chain back on your racing go kart. If you are dirt racing, you should do it every week and use chain wax instead of lube. I have found that chain wax will repel dirt but chain lube makes dirt stick to chain. Using this method you will find that your racing go kart chainwill last a long time working exactly as it did when new.