need info on ct alloy wheels

[david a luciani]

hi guys,
just got a older bug as part of a purchase.
it's a complete roller frame.
it has 4 solid ct alloy wheels on it.
these aren't familiar to me so can anyone fill me in?
thanx
dave

[ted johnson]

Hi, Dave. Certainly did not come factory on the Bug! C.T. Alloy Products, Hayward, CA late 1960-'62, Chuck Trantham. They made aluminum and mag versions. The mag versions were somewhat fragile; I spun the centers out of three (yes, I had one mounted in the center of the axle...) on my twin open Mc20 powered GK 1200 in early '62. They were the lightest wheels on the market at the time. They were painted gold. The rears had a taper lock hub on the inside halves - that's how I mounted the center wheel. Will Rogers is or was repopping them in aluminum; He also had or has spacers available. I have a set of his on my Van Tech; they look really nice. See the pic at the bottom of the REAR opening page. Chuck Trantham also built the dual-rail aluminum Titan Kart. It ran well in the enduros that became popular about that time. TJ

[ted johnson]

Forgot to mention: They were stock on the Titan Kart, came on sone Kavallas, Hoveys and the Van Tech; maybe others. TJ

[david a luciani]

outstanding,

thanx for the info Ted.
didn't think they were stock on the bug.
i saw your kart those rims at the big one.
i guess cleaned up they look slightly different.
my rear rims have a key way on a 1" axle.
the outer hole seems loose i may have to get a tiny sleeve to fix.
you wouldn't happen to have a paint number for the correct color would you?
and finally i'll have to either pick a pretty kart to mount them on or git me a van tech or one of those other uber rare karts!!!
dave

[ted johnson]

Yeah, they did have the standard 3/4" outer half/1" inner half for use on a standard axle, they just had the taper lock hub in addition. Couldn't tell you the exact color, but they were pretty "goldie: Will Rogers' repops are fairly close. I'd email him and ask him what color he uses.
Get hold of him at:
Will Rogers
Hovey and CT Alloy reproductions
rogeo2@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 530-878-7594
1750 Sierra View Dr.
Meadow Vista, CA 95722
Heck, I'll sell you MY Van Tech with the Will R's wheels already on it! Seriously, if you DO know anyone who wants a Van Tech, tell them to call me! 505 869-6233

[david a luciani]

i'd love to own that van tech.
buuuut with me buying every old junker i find i'll never have the spare cash.
Tom smith just pointed out the kart the rims are on is a kavalla.
so i guess they'll stay with the kart.
i need some specs on kavallas so i'm sure to dig up the right parts.
dave

[ted johnson]

Dave, I was kidding more than serious, though the V.T. IS for sale. We had one Kavalla locally in East Central FL. It had twin V-11 Saettas that wouldn't get out of their own way, but the kart was very nice. I really SHOULD have the "collecting disease", but I only have the three rigs, and I'm looking to get rid of two of them. Ron C. has a very good '60 Wasp he wamts me to acquire, but I have to divest myself of the other two first. See? Having VERY limited space is a good governor! TJ

[david a luciani]

oh dear,

if having limited space is a governor i'm in trouble.
currently i have a 30x60 greenhouse that i store extra stuff in so a few extra project karts isn't a problem.
i also have basement storage in another town (part of a building maintenance trade) that's the same size.
ultimately the finished karts will live there since it's underground and a fairly stable environment
lately i've been threatening to build a new garage behind the old one for a shop!

the BOSS lady governor is at work there though since she doesn't like my new idea at ALL!!!

on running rigs i have 5 but only one is pretty and i'm not quite done with it so i suppose i have 4.
projects are another story too many to count at this point.
anyway cash flow is a big problem right now or you'd be short one kart.

on a happy note the kavalla is so close to track ready that if i can get an front axle fabbed will be next in my projects.
i sat in it today and i fit pretty good so with luck i may drag it to TBO this year.
dave

[ted johnson]

Dave, I live in a mother-in-law house that's in my landlord's back yard. There's room in the living room for the three karts, and the Mac 101 is on the kitchen table along with Homelite parts. There is a tiny storage room off the living room that's about 7" X 8". I have 2 Harbor Freight 14" X 32" tables, one with the benchtop drill press and a 4" belt sander, the other with a vise and a bench grinder/polishing wheel. That's the whole enchilada. I have a small number of hand electric tools, and tons of mechanic's hand tools. With these, I'm supposed to build karts? Since I got laid off from Sandia Labs, I don't even have the Pro/Engineer CAD to model parts for machining/water jet cutting. My designer skills are totally wasted. I only have the 101 and one factory 610 9-port engine left, plus the XP-1000 and KL100 Homelites. I don't know if I'll ever build the KL100. Well, I hope to make Fremont with the Swoopster/101; see ya there! TJ

[david a luciani]

wow,

what a waste of talent,i've seen the results of your cad work.
it's amazing that you can even move around with the amount space you have available.
i think i'd lose my mind.
anyway thanx for the info and i will see you at TBO.
dave