Chris Marchand saw that I was looking for a clean GEM open header for my new 610 Bender. He kindly sent me one of his. I got it yesterday, and it's the exact one I wanted, it's NOS, and will polish up better than new. I just want to say a big "Thank you" to Chris. I only have a few pieces to go right now to complete the Photon. The CT wheels George Sellon sent are down at RestoCycle in Tucson getting vapor blasted, and will be back here in a few days for paint. The dual HL top plate for the Tom Kelley manifold is finished by Joel Christians, and the gaskets were beautifully cut by Waterjet Cutting, Inc. in Albuquerque for the YZ reed in the new manifold. Mr. Bonbright has done amazing things with the 610, and it's almost ready. He really IS the Engine Master! I still have to get a new clutch from Jim Donovan, and the Cheng Shin rear tires, but things are progressing! Thanks to all who've helped so much! Now, all I gotta do is cajole Pruit into getting his sister Photon up and going. Ted
Cajoling Pruit, now that's a task......
Ted , Glad I could help , look forward to seeing the Photon completed .
Me, too, Chris! It's been a long haul. It amazes me how many good folks it takes to design, fab and assemble a quality project. If I hadn't had such good friends as you, Larry Brown, Pruit, George Sellon, Joel Christians, Jack Canady, Vince Hughes, Ron Cubel, my Bro-in-law, Art, Charlie Craibe, Vince Hughes, Dave Bonbright, Ben Herr and all the commercial outfits I've used, the karts could never have been built. I'm looking forward to first ride! Ted
Jimmy, sometimes just CATCHING Pruit can be a task! Nonetheless, ya can't ask for a better build partner! Ted
I don't know........
"Feckless" is the term that comes to my mind.......
The day I first met him he was on his knees at Bakersfield trying to figure out why his kart was running erratically. The tank he was using had been coated on the inside, and the coating was peeling off and blocking the outlet.
I couldn't stand watching him working on his knees, so I got out my spare folding kart stand that permanently resides in my trailer and made him use it.
We bin friends ever since..........
And actually, I only hang out with him so I can spend time with Yolanda........
Similar situation with Terry Ives and Carol..........
Ciao!
Gotcha on that, Jim! I love Yolanda to pieces. She's my "daughter"... One day a couple years ago, Pruit and I were working out in the garage, and I said: "Where's Yolanda?" I came into the house, and there she was, cleaning my spare bathroom! I told her to stop doing that, and she replied: "I'm your daughter, and I can do anything I want in your house!" I said to myself: "So be it.", and it's been that way ever since. I don't know what I'd do without either of them. TJ
Teddy,
As you observe, vintage karting certainly is about way more than what happens on the track.
Like dancing with Yolanda at the cowboy bar just across Alfred Harrel Highway in Bakersfield - on Sunday after the event.
Or seeing Yolanda on my mini bike that same year. Santi (her grandson) was riding it, and she decided she had to have a spin as well. Did you know that Yolanda used to autocross their Corvette?
I'm still trying to weasel the video of Yolanda's mini bike ride out of their daughter........
Ciao!
Jim, I'd have paid money to see Yolanda on the mini bike! She never told me she autocrossed the Vette.
You're 100% spot-on about the thing being more about the people than about the track time. I can't count the folks I've come to know and cherish through vintage karting. Ted