I take a pragmatic view. Most kart5 manufacturers are not TOO stupid. They aim to build most karts to give you adjustability either side of the 'ideal'. That will usually be in all the areas of adjustment. Therefore, not knowing your kart, I'd start ALL the adjustments in the 'middle' position: i.e., halfway between max and min axle widths, mid caster, mid camber, mid front hubs.... etc., etc..
Then, I'd get to know my chassis by adjusting ONE of the settings (e.g., rear axle width) to the Maximum.... and then driving it and seeing how the kart has changed, I'd then do 5 more lasp with it set to MINIMUM rear axle width and feel the changes. That way, you'll know EXACTLY how the kart changes with setting changes. y then, you'll know if it was working better in the middle, wide or narrow setting and I'd move that setting to where you8 felt the 'ideal' would be. The I'd move to the next setting (e.g., front axle width), keeping the rear axle at your guessed 'ideal'. I'd, run throuigth the same procedure..... and so on.... through all the adjustments you want to try. Without doing those things, how will you EVER know what the adjustment does to your kart.
However..... I'd start with THE most crucial (in my opinion).... I'd set the weight distribution to be between 40%:60% front to rear and 45%:55% front to rear. Once that's set, you start fromn the 'correct' datum point and can adjust the handling arounjd that CRITICAL centre.
The concept of 'hopping' is 'held' within 3 'points' on our chassis. The two contact points of the rear tyres and the centra of ngravity of your kart. The CofG is damned nigh RIGHT in the middle of your navel when seated! If the rear axle was too narrow or your CofG is too high, the chassis will try to lift the inner rear wheel on cornering simply because the CofG is overpowering the 'width'. Once on tyre lifts off, you lose grip which lets the rear of the kart slide, which lets the kart fall back to the ground..... where the grip re-establishes..... re-lifting that inner wheel..... and so ....
Obviuously, if you lower your CofG and/or Widen the chassis........
However, if you go TOO far with either, that will REDUCE the grip that can be delivered by your outer rear and thus you'll slide and/or not grip well enough. It;'s a balancing act.... get the axle-width/Cof in balance so that the kart JUST avoids hopping! The good guys set their karts just PAST 'hopping' and keep it under control with body position and 'style' of driving. That takes well-learned skill..... a bit like Hendrix used to hold his guitar/amp at a volume settings where mere mortals would get howling feedback but Jimi could control it!
Ian
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