Flexi car part description
#1
Posted 10 August 2022 - 12:12 PM
Not a lot of parts to the flexi, but, what are the parts of the chassis called?
Thanks,
Ray
Wichita, KS
Retro Can-Am & drag racer
#2
Posted 10 August 2022 - 12:59 PM
In most cases modern flexis consist of:
Center section - the main portion of the chassis that the guide, rear oil lites, and motor attach to,
Pan(s) - stamped piece(s) of flat metal that sit on top of or attach to the center section and wiggle around some. Usually the body attaches to these, and
Bite bar - bent-up piano wire or a tube and piano wire that keep the center section and pans attached to each other.
There are a few deviations from this basic setup out there, but these descriptions apply to the common Mossetti and JK chassiss most of us run.
- Bill from NH and John Luongo like this
#3
Posted 10 August 2022 - 01:03 PM
A Flexi is more of a "rattle pan" than a floppy pan. In the past the floppy pan was held up by a bar soldered to the main rails which could be .049" to .062" dia. The smaller the 'bite bar,' the more flex and body movement.
It's all to cancel out tire vibrations when going around corners since one tire slips and one gets traction (usually the outside tire).
With a flexi the only adjustment is where the pan rattles in contact with the center rails. This can be controlled by adding tape between contact points or opening up slots with a file if the rules allow it.
So a 'bite bar' is basically the term used for car handling adjustments.
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#4
Posted 10 August 2022 - 02:04 PM
Thanks so much, Bucky, appreciate it a lot.
Wichita, KS
Retro Can-Am & drag racer
#5
Posted 10 August 2022 - 02:06 PM
Thanks, Jairus. I evidently have lots to learn.
Wichita, KS
Retro Can-Am & drag racer
#6
Posted 10 August 2022 - 03:05 PM
A flexi has one location for the "bite bar." On a scratchbuilt chassis, the more rearward a bite bar is, the more bite the chassis will get. You don't always want more bite.
- Cheater likes this
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
#7
Posted 10 August 2022 - 07:53 PM
The "bite bar" transfers pan weight, where used, and aero downforce from the body to the center section of the chassis where it's position fore and aft controls the force distribution on the chassis and thus "bite". Since the position is fixed on Flexi-style chassis and the wire used for the bite bar is usually also fixed, there's not much tuning that can be done with it. However, the Aeolus does allow changing to different diameter wire bars which effects more or less pan movement and possibly different force transfer to the center section due to wire flex. With the lightness, flexibility, and increased downforce features of many Lexan bodies today, tuning chassis movement has a more limited effect, but the Aeolus does provide some additional freedom not found in other chassis. Surprisingly, I've discovered some knowledgeable racers that have locked the pans solid (no movement) on their Flexi-style chassis for some racing, an option I've not considered before. From what I can tell, this increases the chassis stiffness which reduces bite and might be useful on a very fast track like a King.
I believe Ray asked a question about the different thickness center sections available in the Aeolus and at least one other JK chassis in a separate post. In addition to the thicker section adding weight, it also makes the chassis stiffer. Since the chassis center section is the slot car suspension, different stiffness can also tune the car for a particular track. Stiffness is another way to control bite; less is more, and more is less.
#8
Posted 12 August 2022 - 10:39 PM
C11...c42...26 and so on
Wichita, KS
Retro Can-Am & drag racer
#9
Posted 24 November 2022 - 03:54 PM
#10
Posted 26 November 2022 - 08:11 AM
This is a diagram that I made some years ago.
It's not perfect and I'm not going to take the time to change it, but I hope someone finds it to be useful.
Wouldn't it be great if every RTR had a page with something like this printed on one side and a parts listing with ordering numbers and prices on the other side. Yes, I know that a good amount of this information is available on the manufacturer website (Thanks Tim) but to have it in printed form adds extra value I believe.
- Pablo, Richie and NSwanberg like this
#11
Posted 17 February 2023 - 04:10 PM
In regards to the thickness of the centre section, just imagine the forces involved when you hit the bank (a king in particular )!
Remember,a slot car doesn't want to turn,it wants to go straight. In my case, usually straight into the wall.
I haven't raced on a flat track in thirty-two (32) years so, I don't know what to tell you about how or what a chassis will do on that type of track.