I fully expect you will have a power vise designed, fabricated, and built by the end of the week now that I mentioned it! There are no limits to my expectations when it comes to your engineering abilities! I have seen you in action!
2,702 April 23, 2017 5:25 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
I am so lucky to have a good friend like Chris Kouba who allows me to use his shop where I am totally spoiled having every power machine and tool (except for a freaking VISE!) available to me to build cool stuff! Thank you Chris!
I had almost forgotten you can actually make metal parts without the use of power tools!......And then I remembered, why would you?
Case in point - Mounting bracket fabbed at my place for the Flyer's hand lever operated rear brake:


2,703 April 22, 2017 8:36 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
Senior looks good in there!
2,704 April 22, 2017 12:28 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
This is the completed installation of the battery in its new rear location:


2,705 April 22, 2017 12:27 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
Here's the completed rear brake installation:


2,706 April 22, 2017 12:22 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
With help from Beau and Rico we successfully completed the registration process of all 3 gravity cars this morning. Our 500 A.M. arrival time put us in the number 9, 10, and 11 spots in line. The car/team numbers are drawn randomly and for a three car team we did very well. The Scuderia Kouba MKI will be car # 2, the MKII will be # 21, and the Hawsbill Flyer will be car # 12. Pretty cool draws huh?!
After registration we went out to The Stagecoach for breakfast and some bench racing. Then we came out to my place to do some work on the Flyer. Again with Beau and Rico's help we were able to get the installation of the rear brake completed and relocate the battery to the rear of the car just ahead of the rear axle.
I'd like to thank Beau and Rico for all the help today!!!
2,707 April 21, 2017 7:26 pm
Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread (2,173 replies, posted in NASTE)
Al told me he would be willing to take any race date I couldn't accomodate.
What do you think Al?
2,708 April 21, 2017 6:54 pm
Re: NASTE Odd Thursday Night Racing Rules & Current Thread (2,173 replies, posted in NASTE)
I like the idea Doc, but I am up to my eyeballs in MESS! I just don't think I can pull it off. I have 12 days to finish packing up my crap in my upstairs mess-o-leum, and the stuff in my garage which includes TooBad Motorplex!
Sorry guys.......
========Bill
2,709 April 19, 2017 9:35 pm
Re: TooBad Motorplex Up FOR SALE - GONE! (22 replies, posted in For Sale or Trade)
I sure hope so!
2,710 April 19, 2017 2:07 pm
Re: TooBad Motorplex Up FOR SALE - GONE! (22 replies, posted in For Sale or Trade)
Unfortunately I need to tear down the track before we put our house on the market and we want to get our house on the market ASAP!
The realtor said the track would be too distracting. He said the guys would forget about the house why they were here.......
2,711 April 19, 2017 6:04 am
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
I'm sure the steering wheel will be better Monte. That "tiller" is pretty awkward to use!
2,712 April 18, 2017 8:24 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
Here's how I modified the pedal.



2,713 April 18, 2017 8:16 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
I completed the modification of the midship mounted brake foot pedal. I moved the cable eye off to the side of the pedal so I could get my entire fat foot on the brake pedal.


2,714 April 18, 2017 10:41 am
Re: TooBad Motorplex Up FOR SALE - GONE! (22 replies, posted in For Sale or Trade)
TooBad Motorplex is now listed for sale on Craig's List and Ebay.
2,715 April 17, 2017 8:41 pm
Re: TooBad Motorplex Up FOR SALE - GONE! (22 replies, posted in For Sale or Trade)
Thanks Mitch, I may need some help.
And thanks Goose. It has been a fun track! I may end up moving it and reconstructing it in our new place. Not sure yet but I am looking forward to better things to come!
2,716 April 17, 2017 4:16 pm
Re: TooBad Motorplex Up FOR SALE - GONE! (22 replies, posted in For Sale or Trade)
I am planning to disassemble TooBad Motorplex next week. This week will be the last chance for a buyer to test run the track before purchase, and be part of the tear down.
I hate to see her go, but it is time for us to get moved.
===========Bill
2,717 April 16, 2017 4:43 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
Here's the driver cockpit mocked up to see how everything will fit.

2,718 April 16, 2017 4:42 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
I mounted a second brake mount in the rear of the car just ahead of the rear axle, again securing it with 3/8 inch grade 8 bolts. Thankfully Dennis thought of this before he completed the car and left provisions for it to be mounted in this location.

2,719 April 16, 2017 4:38 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
I remounted the steering shaft/brake mont replacing the 5/16 inch and 1/4 inch bolts with 3/8 inch grade 8 bolts.
The two pulleys mounted to the steering mount were replaced with larger pulleys that fit the 3/8 inch bolts. Two additional pulleys were added as well as metal straight pull turnbuckles secured to the front axle with carabiners. The soap box derby style steering "tiller" will be replaced with a propper steering wheel. Hopefully these changes will improve the steering accuracy and feel.

2,720 April 15, 2017 7:16 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
So here she sits, gutted like a fish! But it feels good to finally get some wrench time in on her!

2,721 April 15, 2017 7:14 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
I am rebuilding the steering assembly and installing a more conventional round go-kart type steering wheel. I'll be replacing the two pulleys pictured, and adding an additional pair of pulleys in the steering cable set up.

The 1/4 inch bolts holding these steering pulleys in place were seriously bent. I'm replacing the bolts with 3/8 inch grade 8 bolts. Both pulleys are being replaced with slightly larger pulleys with 3/8 inch inside diameters to fit on the larger bolts.

2,722 April 15, 2017 7:10 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
So this is how the Flyer currently sits. On it's side for easy access to the interior and bottom side. The battery is being moved from the front of the car to the rear for quicker and easier access for servicing.

This is the foot brake pedal for the midship mounted brake. I am remounting the eye that the cable connects to.

2,723 April 15, 2017 7:06 pm
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
I got a chance to put in a couple hours of work on the Flyer in the last two days.
Here is a good reason for some updates. This is what the brake looked like after 3 test runs. There is supposed to be a rubber brake pad bolted to that plate....

I will be mounting a second brake just ahead of the rear axle. When Dennis originally built the car he allowed room for the additional brake set up. Excellent forethought in planning ahead!

2,724 April 15, 2017 10:22 am
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
I'm happy to announce we have secured our second sponsor, Parkrose Hardware!
2,725 April 14, 2017 10:36 am
Re: NASTE Gravity Racer Program (306 replies, posted in NASTE)
That was one of the small rolls plus half of another one.
For the Team Scuderia Kouba cars we use white and red duct tape!...There are specific Suderia Koba guidelines that must be adhered to!!!