help with my Rupp dart

[Mel Ruffner]

   
   
   
   
Hi everyone, I got another problem and I need your opinion. I had my new robert stanton steering shaft upgraded to 5/8,  welded, and the welder screwed up, but  hoping  it,s ok. I told him to weld it below hoop but welded it to the top. I actualy  have more room  but don,t know if it will steer the same. should I leave it or start all over? Thanks again for your help, and I promise I won,t ask to many questions.

[ted johnson]

The steering wheel on my n1ke is raised up due to a hernia on my tummy. It took a day or so to get used to it, but now it's second nature to me. Some of the guys who've driven it had a bit of an issue, Right, Rob? But it didn't stop Rob from laying down some wicked fast laps at Fremont a few years ago. The new kart I'm scratch building has the wheel at the same height. Maybe it would bother you if you're very short, but I'm short, and it's no Biggie! Ted

[Tom Bowman]

I would put it under the hoop - that's my opinion - however as Ted said, it's a matter of personal preference. These karts are tight. Adding the bumper lets the pedals go forward which makes a big difference. Just a thought. Welcome & good luck!

[Terry Bentley]

If it fits you then not a problem. I have two original Rupps and the steering is too low since I am accustomed to late model equipment. This wont affect steering at all. You may find it to your advantage. I cant believe if you were clear about where it needed to go, was screwed up. That is one reason reason I wont let someone else help to get work done, if something I can do myself. It would piss me off to no end if I paid someone to do something then have to re do it myself because done wrong. I can screw it up myself without throwing money away at the same time. OK I am done venting...

[ted johnson]

As Tom says, personal pref! Now's the time to change it, before you paint or powder coat. If you DO change it, the kart will be closer to original and will look nicer. TJ

[steve miller]

check out brett mallorys rupp on his FB page he switched his to the top for better fit to himself ..looks factory 88 percent of folks wouldn't know anyways ..lol..
its ur kart youll do what pleases you I hope ..

[Brett Mallory]

Thanks Steve.  Here's mine.  I can't see any problems with it and it fits me much better.  It's not original, but in the end it's more important to me to be able to drive it comfortably than keep it 100% original.

[ted johnson]

Seems to me the real beef is with your fab guy, and with yourself. There's a lesson here. Either jig all your welds yourself, of at least have a decent sketch of where you want things to go, and BE THERE when the welding takes place. I'm a mech designer, and a decent metal fab guy, but I'm not a carpenter. Nevertheless, I took the time to build the wooden jigs for the two Photon karts that Pruit Ginsberg and I scratch built. I admit that I went overboard on the jigs. Look at Steve Welte's Alley Kat build videos to see simple, effective wooden weld jigs that any one of us can make for our weld guy. Also, look around your area and see if you can find a welder who knows karts. I'm lucky here. Ben Herr lives sixty miles away, and there's not a finer kart welder in America than Ben. I can't even estimate how many karts he's scratch built. Since I've known him, he's welded three for me and one for Ron Cubel. It's worth asking everyone who's the best in your area. It's your safety you're dealing with, as well as the appearance and functionality of the finished product. Sorry for the rant, but I think quality fabrication is important. Ted

[Jim Waltz]

If it fits you better, then leave it as-is.

The thing about "original" is that virtually every kart sold back in the day was modified almost immediately by its owner - or by the factory.

I would bet that Rupp built some of their karts with the steering shaft on top of the hoop as requested by customers.

"Original" is a figment of our collective imagination.........

[ted johnson]

Installed the steering wheel on my new Photon this afternoon. It sits high just like your Dart and my n1ke. It'll handle great! TJ