Aligning OTL Superleggero go-kart with Sniper laser alignment system

Aligning your electric go-kart is easy but we have a few tips to make the process easier. If you haven't aligned your go-kart, then you may be very surprised at how much it changes the handing and drivability of your machine.
Tool used in this video: sniperamericas.com/v4.html

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

NEVER seen a kart like that before, bet that is a wild ride

[@K1Racer.]

Would love to see how you work on this Karts more ???

[@Squigglii..]

Interesting!

[@jakwambiporter9265]

What kind of front spindle bracket are you running and where can I order one? Is it a proprietary part? I have an identical frame but it's basically impossible to find parts for it. Even Kart1 seems to be very hush-hush about some kind of parts list.

[@competitionkarting]

Hey Jakwambi. It is a part that we order through K1/Kart1, and you're right, they can be protective of their parts distribution. That's the only place we know where to buy them, sorry.

[@joshmerklin]

I maintain a fleet of otl storms as a second job and my boss showed me this video presumably as a joke but I about had an aneurism. This explains why k1 speed facilities and similar places have inconsistent and poorly handling karts. First off what is up with your tractor levels of positive camber? That is absolutely not ok and causes insane understeer. Those karts need at least one box which is 2mm btw not an inch (per the sniper instructions). We run 6” fronts which require 2-4 boxes (4-8mm) depending on track layout and we run a split of 2.5L 3.5R to keep acceptable tire wear and handling characteristics to match our current track. Nothing is stopping you from putting offset pills in the bottoms of those c-hubs and cycling through spindles to get an appropriate amount of camber. To be fair that’s not entirely your fault considering otl’s parts are insanely inconsistent. Steering center is not arbitrary and affects your Ackerman sweep making a kart with it off turn poorly both ways. Setting the center using a sweep method with a reference on the chassis and a tape measure or at least the plastics allows you to diagnose bent steering shafts or other damaged components. We keep about 3-6 steering shafts in stock for this exact reason considering how easy it can be to damage one. Alignments should be done relatively regularly as they can get at least mildly moved a near weekly basis depending on contact frequency especially considering your running the lower height c-hubs to match 4.5” front tires that are more susceptible to impact that affects all alignment settings. Without at least checking your caster all your alignment work is in vain if you plan on fixing it considering any movement in the adjusters will change your toe settings and notable movements affect camber readings as well. You need an order of operation such as initial steering center, followed by toe, camber, caster, steering center repeat. You absolutely can check caster with those gauges albeit requiring you always do alignments a lift or rack that never changes inclination. You can do this by picking a reference kart with good caster settings and checking the vertical displacement on the gauges front to rear. For reference the 6” tires require about 5 degrees and the 4.5”’s a bit more (on storms with lead acid batteries). You will probably have to do something as such or design a tool if you plan on not running insane positive camber because you will likely not have one or both sides at full negative causing the spindle to be inclined in relation the the c-hub and therefore cannot use an angle gauge on as a reference. I am at least glad that you do have a protocol in place to ensure the tie rods do not bind and you have a designed tool to place the gauges on though I’m unsure without using them of any shortcomings there may be to precise alignments. Fortunately we do not have to do that having a higher spindle height so we can place our snipers directly on the spindles.

[@competitionkarting]

Thanks for the feedback! You are correct in several ways. We've learned a lot since this video was published a year ago, and the camber was part of that leaning... although it wasn't intended to be covered in this video.
What prompted the filming was that when Canton was opened, we were told to just 'look' at alignments because K1 didn't have measuring tools. As you know, that's not good.
So yes, you are correct, and maybe some day in the future we can shoot an updated video. Hopefully this gets some people started with the laser tool.