12-15-2019, 08:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-19-2020, 05:58 PM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 12
After unloading the kart, I sat down in that odd looking square tubing contraption with a plastic seat that looks like belongs on skinny legs in a waiting room somewhere else. Maybe should have kept my mouth shut eariler. Making stupid remarks about something I really know very little about. Well really nothing.
Oh wait, this seat is actually made from fiberglass, not plastic like I first thought. Just like so many of the smaller boats I have been seeing a lot more of lately on the lake.
Wow, this is comfortable. Its like I am sitting down in a cockpit. Really didnt expect it to feel so much different. This seat is actually neat. I had no idea. All this time thinking karts should have welded in seat frames with plush upholstery. Hmmm. Maybe should be keeping notes.
So Mr Cates, or Lynn, as he told me to address him, then went over the functioning of his kart. But think I am going to keep with Mr Cates. He definitely seems to know about karts. I hope to really learn from him too. First he goes over the basics, more obviously the pedals. Right fast, left stop. Next he explained the steering. This kart has a much larger steering wheel than most of the others you see here tonight.
By this time Steve had come around and seeing what was taking place. While standing behind Mr Cates, he was making faces and sticking thumbs in his ears, rotating them with open hands. Trying to get me started laughing while I was seriously focused on Mr Cates instruction.
Even tho a butterfly style, it is about three inches larger in diameter, if compared to a full circle type. That means the steering is easier to maneuver. So be careful when trying to run deep into the turns. If you steer to fast, the kart may just swap ends with you and go sailing off the end of the track somewhere with the local wildlife. After you get the feel of it, may just figure out how easy it is to correct when over steering too.
Another thing you need to be careful with. This kart has a Bendix drum brake. For the smaller engines it isnt too noticeable. But a lot of the others out here now are equipped with hydraulically assisted disk brakes. They stop extremely quick. If not accustomed to them, might leave you with a big surprise. Again, off in the weeds somewhere outside of that turn you didnt negotiate so well.
One last thing I need to cover before you make you first debut tonite. This may be after a couple of laps when you feel more comfortable and getting up to speed. If the motor doesnt clear out when running down the straightaway, you need to do something. Here is the carburetor. You see this screw sticking out? Yes sir, isnt that the high speed needle? Yes one and the same. I have a small tab brazed on it to make adjusting a little bit easier when out there on the track.
First thing, I want you to look forward like when driving out on the track. With your right hand, reach over and feel around for the carb. Then get your thumb and pointer finger on that needle, while holding carb with the others. See if you can do that, ok? So I tried it until comfortable. Well as comfortable I could be without actually doing this on the track.
Then Mr Cates said to watch for him, when driving by the pits here. In case he were to come out and motion with a hand signal. If you see me waving my arm and pointing to the ground, then reach over and just barely turn this screw clockwise. Just a hair. You will notice a major difference immediately. That is all you need to do. In case the motor is four cycling, this will lean it down just enough to clear out and run like supposed to. Do you understand?
Any questions? Uh, is ok if I chicken out and maybe take you up on it later? Said with a cheesy smile. Steve just whopped the top of the helmet I was wearing. He then answered for Mr Cates, Nope, you are stuck in the kart until those first laps of your career are in past tense. So the motor got cranked up as I sat there with my hands starting to feel really sweaty. Now get your butt out on the track! Steve yelled while kicking the rear tire trying to make the kart move forward.
After unloading the kart, I sat down in that odd looking square tubing contraption with a plastic seat that looks like belongs on skinny legs in a waiting room somewhere else. Maybe should have kept my mouth shut eariler. Making stupid remarks about something I really know very little about. Well really nothing.
Oh wait, this seat is actually made from fiberglass, not plastic like I first thought. Just like so many of the smaller boats I have been seeing a lot more of lately on the lake.
Wow, this is comfortable. Its like I am sitting down in a cockpit. Really didnt expect it to feel so much different. This seat is actually neat. I had no idea. All this time thinking karts should have welded in seat frames with plush upholstery. Hmmm. Maybe should be keeping notes.
So Mr Cates, or Lynn, as he told me to address him, then went over the functioning of his kart. But think I am going to keep with Mr Cates. He definitely seems to know about karts. I hope to really learn from him too. First he goes over the basics, more obviously the pedals. Right fast, left stop. Next he explained the steering. This kart has a much larger steering wheel than most of the others you see here tonight.
By this time Steve had come around and seeing what was taking place. While standing behind Mr Cates, he was making faces and sticking thumbs in his ears, rotating them with open hands. Trying to get me started laughing while I was seriously focused on Mr Cates instruction.
Even tho a butterfly style, it is about three inches larger in diameter, if compared to a full circle type. That means the steering is easier to maneuver. So be careful when trying to run deep into the turns. If you steer to fast, the kart may just swap ends with you and go sailing off the end of the track somewhere with the local wildlife. After you get the feel of it, may just figure out how easy it is to correct when over steering too.
Another thing you need to be careful with. This kart has a Bendix drum brake. For the smaller engines it isnt too noticeable. But a lot of the others out here now are equipped with hydraulically assisted disk brakes. They stop extremely quick. If not accustomed to them, might leave you with a big surprise. Again, off in the weeds somewhere outside of that turn you didnt negotiate so well.
One last thing I need to cover before you make you first debut tonite. This may be after a couple of laps when you feel more comfortable and getting up to speed. If the motor doesnt clear out when running down the straightaway, you need to do something. Here is the carburetor. You see this screw sticking out? Yes sir, isnt that the high speed needle? Yes one and the same. I have a small tab brazed on it to make adjusting a little bit easier when out there on the track.
First thing, I want you to look forward like when driving out on the track. With your right hand, reach over and feel around for the carb. Then get your thumb and pointer finger on that needle, while holding carb with the others. See if you can do that, ok? So I tried it until comfortable. Well as comfortable I could be without actually doing this on the track.
Then Mr Cates said to watch for him, when driving by the pits here. In case he were to come out and motion with a hand signal. If you see me waving my arm and pointing to the ground, then reach over and just barely turn this screw clockwise. Just a hair. You will notice a major difference immediately. That is all you need to do. In case the motor is four cycling, this will lean it down just enough to clear out and run like supposed to. Do you understand?
Any questions? Uh, is ok if I chicken out and maybe take you up on it later? Said with a cheesy smile. Steve just whopped the top of the helmet I was wearing. He then answered for Mr Cates, Nope, you are stuck in the kart until those first laps of your career are in past tense. So the motor got cranked up as I sat there with my hands starting to feel really sweaty. Now get your butt out on the track! Steve yelled while kicking the rear tire trying to make the kart move forward.