Dead is kwel...

[Dominic Salvato]

Dead axle karts are a blast! This old kart has car like wheel bearings, it rolls and rolls. The engine seems to enjoy the lighter rotating weight. I couldn't run at any sanctioned event because it has aircraft locking nuts and dust covers over the axles and not one cotter pin.
I'm glad Rob talked me into not chroming it.

[Chris Marchand]

Nice job, simplicity at its best ! No chrome is perfect.

[Dominic Salvato]

Same dilemma, leave them alone or start chroming.

[Rob Voska]

We were just talking about that & I said I want to get my 58 Hancock Diesel out & run it...... Love that free feeling it has.

[Chris Marchand]

Where in the world did you find a 58 Hancock ?

[Dominic Salvato]

I see why there is a demand for Westbend 700V-5. It was strong before. This winter I decided to look inside and see. Beautiful chrome cylinder, the piston had compression without rings.
One size fits all, I had a brand new piston and 3 or 4 sets of rings. I changed them out. fired her up, run her in a little bit. Then pow, the thing felt about 25% stronger. When it has only one wheel to turn, it's a BLAST!
Just received a fresh Mac 8 for my VI-E, it's going to be a sweet summer.

[Rob Voska]

Sure Chris I'll tell ya.... but some things ya just can't make up........ It was early about 6:30 AM and I was on my way to a swap meet. I see a kart in the yard so I turn around and check it out..... I wait around until 7:00 AM before I knock and get the guy out of bed early on a Sat morning. I ask him about the kart and if he has anything else. He says he has an old engine. So he gets dressed and we go out to the barn & he digs out a complete nice Clinton E65. I ask him what he wants and he gives me a price but it's kinda higher than I expected.... so I offered him less. He would not move on the price but it was within reason so I bought it. I load it up & continue on my way..... about half way to the swap meet I look down and I notice the shirt I was wearing. F'N Cubel had shirts printed that said WANTED OLD GO KARTS and PARTS. No wonder the guy would not come down on the price. It makes me a nice collection of Lancers. 58 Hancock was before they used the name, 63 small tube, 66 2 pc made by Rupp and a 71 Sidewinder.

[Dominic Salvato]

How about some pictures Rob?

[Rob Voska]

I'll take some in a few weeks when I dig it out. I don't think I have any of that kart unless it was at a fun day.

[Chris Marchand]

Cool story thanks. Did you restore the Hancock ?

For any that don t know, Bob Jeffries was the Lancer guru and his real business was called Hancock Diesel.