The lead can be used to balance the kart subtly , later. So long as you still have enough allowance left to mount some of your lead on (for example) on the floor tray, then I'd remove some of the lead from the seat first. The point is there is maximum weight of lead you are allowed to mount on the floor tray.
It's the subtlety that matters. If you already 'know' you want a 47.5% front weight (for example) you can do it 'your' way. However, 'weightless seat' allows you to do subtle changes later. It really depends on how much lead you are placing on the kart. The more the lead, the more attractive leaving all except a 'tuning' amount of lead (let's guess 2kgs) on the seat. You can then mount the 2kgs later to get the exact balance you want much later.... even between heats. 2kgs next to the front bumper changes the balance a lot.
For ultimate subtlety, you need to think about the 'polar moment' of the kart. Think it through..... if ALL of your weight was mounted in the dead 'centre' of the kart.... it could rotate around that point (i.e. point in the direction you want in a corner) much more rapidly than if all the weight was mounted on each bumper. Think of two fat-blokes sat on a see saw: it's easier to move the see saw quickly if both fat blokes are sat in the middle than on either end. Cars/Karts with the weight in the centre (Lotus Elise) are MUCH easier to steer than with the weight at each end: that's one reason the 911 is such SH*T, all the weight RIGHT at the extremities!.
So... keeping all the weight (mass) in the middle is a MUCH better idea. Perhaps mounting the seat EXACTLY with the lead all on the seat would be best..... but much harder to 'tune' by moving the lead, later. This all depends on how accurately you are mounting seats!
Ian
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