The Bench Racers Journal

[Terry Bentley]

Chapter 105

Before getting up off my butt to see what is in that box that Chris had left for me, I started thinking about everything else that needed to be done before we could go to the track again. One thing I kept forgetting about was to make sure Frank changed over that cheesy steering shaft on his super duper Dart kart special.

Frank had not done anything that I had seen or he even mentioned about when me and Chris visited last week. So I should make a point to drop in and suggest he order those parts. Since he is in so tight with Mickey Rupp, or Mic as he calls him, that should not be a problem. But just because Frank talks a big game, doesnt make him a player.

If he could get those parts ordered and delivered quick enough, then maybe I can stop by again and help him change it all out. This way he does not show up at the track with a box full of parts again. Like last time he was thinking it would only take a few minutes to snug up some bolts. No more work than like changing a spark plug. Yea right.

That first practice day Frank showed up with his kart not anywhere near ready to take a lap. But much more like needing to be completely assembled. It was not even ready enough if he was just pushing it around for a parade lap. The engine had only been loosely bolted on.

Frank never set anything else up. The fuel line, throttle linkage, sprocket, or even the chain. He had done nothing but place a box full of parts down in the seat. I spent a good 30 minutes beating on his kart trying to assemble all of the loose parts.

After the kart was ready, Frank did not even remember to bring gas. That sure would have been a waste. Heck he didnt think to bother checking over the carburetor. "Oh it was set right the last time he had it out". So he says. Yea right! But the last time was over a year ago in Ohio and on another kart.

He was ready to just zip right out there on the track. The engine running so lean, it was racing up and would not even idle down. I doubt it would have made too many laps before seizing the piston. With the engine cold and him being impatient, it may not have even made it out of the pits. That would have been the pits for him.

I realize dealing with Frank has become an obligation. But without him I would not have been able to practice those two days we spent out at the track. So the only thing I can do is keep Frank motivated and get his kart a little bit closer to being ready when he decides to actually race one of these nights.

There is one very big positive side to this. I have been getting a bunch of hands on experience working on Franks kart. Now I have a much better idea of what to expect after making changes to my kart. Especially what to check over after each practice session.

So when we finally make our next race, I will have a good idea of what needs to be inspected between each heat race. Keep a good log on everything that is done to build up a data base for future reference. Just like Mr. Pennington had mentioned to me about after looking over my notes last summer about the Clinton flywheels.

If Frank looses interest, I loose my nanny to keep tabs on us at the track so we get to practice. Frank says he works four tens at his job. That translated to me he has Fridays off. This ends up working out perfect for us. Well it did during the summer. Now that school has started, much chance of a practice day on Friday is not so likely.

There are some Fridays we are off from school. Something about teachers meetings on these days, what ever that means. I guess they sit around complaining about all of their unruly students that dont want to learn anything. But the next available Friday coming up, I need to make sure everything is ready or will loose another chance to get out there again.

The more I push Frank to get his kart set up, the more likely he will make it out to the track and actually race. As of right now I dont understand why he has not bothered yet ordering the parts or made any attempt to make a race night.

If he does show up one night at the track, I doubt he would be anywhere near ready to just unload, fill up with gas and race. So far, since I first met him, Frank has been all talk and no action. The few times he actually worked on his kart turned out to be a disaster for him and nearly fatal for me.

I wanted to see what Chris had left for me in the box, but right now it is still early enough to make a quick trip over to Franks house. I sort of figured Chris didnt want any of the old parts we had taken off his kart. So he left all of the left overs for me.

Right now my thoughts were more focused on motivating Frank to get the parts he needs ordered quick enough. Then maybe I wont get stuck at the track working on his kart again. I grabbed up the August issue of Karting World then headed over to Franks.

I did not realize how tired my body was after pedaling over to his house. Then remembered me and Chris never took a lunch break. OK at least drink a big glass of water when I get to Franks house. I already know he would offer me a cold beer.

Yea right, just what I need on an empty stomach and not even having anything to drink today either. Nah, dont think so. Maybe I can mooch a Coke or something from him. There are usually a few in his fridge. I have an empty feeling in my stomach and dont think it just from lack of food.

While riding over to his house something funny popped in my head. Frank could probably save a lot of money moving in to his garage, then renting out his house to someone else. So far I have never come over here to find him any place but in the garage or the one time working in his yard.

Well the first time I did come over here, he just about scared the crap out of me jumping from no where in particular. He thought I was trying to sneak in his garage to steal something. He was waiting and ready to take me down. Good thing for those lightning fast reflexes of his.

Today as usual Frank had beer in one hand, but talking into a microphone with the other one. That is different. I guess no self help tapes today. Maybe he is making his own this time. Or maybe he is recording his memoirs to eventually write an autobiography. You know that would sell at least one copy. Frank would buy it for sure. Just to find out everything he has done in his life.

Hey Frank, you busy? DO WHAT? I CANT HEAR YOU! Then take the plug out of your ear, Frank. Hold on dang it. I got this plug in my ear making it hard to hear you. Now thats better. So what brings you over today? If you were planning to tear my kart all apart again, it aint happening.

Oh yea junior, you forgot to put the wheel back on my kart. I would have been awful mad at you if going back out to the track and not realize it was still off. Did you ever think about that? Totally irresponsible if you ask me.

Well Frank, then I wont ask you. I sure would be mad at myself too if I was not aware that a wheel was missing on my kart until I got to the track. I would almost be doing you a favor by leaving the wheel off the way I see it. This is when Frank then did the adult thing and stuck his tongue out at me.

You know Frank, I am really offended that you would even think I forgot something like putting your wheel back on. I can guarantee you right now, I did not forget. I just didnt feel like putting it back on.

Anyways Frank, tonight I thought about helping you with the upgrades on your kart, but doubt very seriously the parts have even been ordered yet. It is just a special sense I have. You see, I know these things about people. It is a gift. Sort of like your eagle eye vision or those lightning fast reflexes.

I doubt Frank could tell I was being sarcastic, but it is funny to me. Hey Frank, where are all of your new parts anyway? Lets get busy already before the sun comes up. I dont have all night to stand around here wasting my time. Time is money you know.

Why dont you refresh my memory? Just so we are on the same page about the upgrades you are talking about. What exactly am I supposed to have ready to change over on my kart? If I remember correctly my kart was working just fine that last trip out. And to confirm this, we spent all that time getting it set up just right. Then even putting like a hundred laps on my kart. I dont remember there being any complaints afterwards either.

Geez Frank, you must be getting senile already. Or maybe have brain mash from all the beer you drink. I remember it being slightly different than your version.

Hey, hey, dont be knocking my one hobby I can enjoy from the first gulp. And dont knock it until you have tried it either. I sure dont have sponge on the brain. Just might have slipped my mind about whatever you are referring to.

Well dont you remember all of the things we talked about after your kart got fixed again. This time the right way. OK, maybe not the right way for that overpriced engineers brain you got. You know from your store bought education and everything. But the right way for your kart to actually make a lap without killing someone. Namely me.

I thought you were going to get a new shaft and a decent steering wheel ordered. You know something big enough to get a good grip on? And one large enough to make it easier to steer. If you already forgot everything, then get a pencil and make a list.

Fair enough, it might have slipped my mind about that. I was so glad the frame was not sprung as I first thought. It is likely after all of those laps, the frame de-stressed enough so most of the trouble worked itself out.

You know Frank, I am going to ignore what you just said. My simple brain is having trouble translating any of it. Maybe you have been drinking too many beers to still be coherent. But how about humoring me and jotting down a list of things to pick up for your kart. Just for gits and chiggles.

Whatever will shut you up. OK, so what do you think I need for my race kart? Oh first thing, you mind getting me a refill?

Oh sure Frank, I do mind. But can you actually multi-task? Like drink a cold beer while jotting down your list. Be sure to breathe sometime between all that hard work, OK? That sure is impressive. So I went over to his fridge to grab him another cold beer.

Hey Frank, mind if I snag up a coke? Sure kid, just be sure to leave a dime on the desk here. After handing Frank a beer, a cold one, I flipped up a small washer that was sitting on his work bench. Frank used his fast reflexes to snap the washer out of thin air.

Instead of catching it, the washer went sailing right out the garage. Sorry about that Frank, but thought those lightning fast reflexes of yours were up to the challenge. So my bad. Frank just barked back, WOOF, WOOF, woof. Then turned up his beer. After an annoyingly loud belch exited his big mouth, I told him what that over engineered brain of his had completely forgotten about.

So Frank, we talked about replacing this steering shaft with a new one that is legal for next year. You will have to do it if planning on racing anyway. Go ahead and replace that wimpy steering wheel. It is way to small to hold on to or even get a good feel for how the kart responds thru the turns. Besides it wont fit the new shaft.

You have at least three choices on steering wheels. Chris put a Covico on his kart. He liked it better than that new one from Azusa. So that would be choice one and two. Or stick with the Dart steering wheel. From the pictures in those ads, that is one nice looking steering wheel.

Oh yea, about your dinky cast aluminum pedals. You might check on the new ones that come on the A-bone now. I could possibly make a set for you, but they surely cant be all that expensive. Especially for the time involved to hand build you a pair. So a complete waste of my time to do that much hard labor.

Add a couple of new chains to your list. Maybe consider a First Aid Kit for my own safety too. Just saying. If you really want to clean up your kart, maybe consider replacing these homemade looking motor mounts with the production ones. The new ones look a whole lot better, and probably lighter too. But your kart here is a prototype, so that might make a difference I guess.

I know this is reaching on thinking something you would even consider, but... The new A-Bones are a lot shorter than your kart. It would not take too much effort, in my opinion, to cut the bearing hangers off and move them forward. But you should check all of that out yourself before committing on it first.

After a lot of digging in some of my magazines I am fairly certain your proto type kart was made even before the Super K model. Since you bought it late last year, that sort of makes sense. I just measured the wheelbase here and it is the same as the very first Super K karts that were made. Just a few things to put some deep thought into, Frank.