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Knowledge
06-11-07, 10:03 PM
Stephen Cartledge
The name Knowledge comes from my friends here in Northant’s area. I’ve had a few others over the years; this one comes from all the technical know how I like to dispense if asked. I left school in Stevenage in 75 to make my way in art, but soon got disillusioned (Well just look at the sh*t that artist palm off on us at each years Turnip prize. Anyone got a Bear suit?) So I went looking for a job so I could buy a Bike and ended up as an apprentice at British Aerospace. When my parents moved northwards in 79 I went with them and helped out. My Dad was an engineer too so I stayed and worked with him for the next 17 years. We ended up in Northampton making bits for the likes of Cosworth and Ilmor.
I cut my teeth in the rodding world by painting my 650 Kawasaki in black and silver Glowble flake with a good friend Howard. We did it in my brother’s bedroom and got high as a kite on the fumes...LOL. That was done in a rush for Ally Pally 79. For some strange reason I like the fact I was in bike ally even though others moaned. By then I’d joined Stevenage Street & Custom which had amongst its members a certain Dave King.
Leaving Stevenage put pay to my club days and I drifted a bit for a short while finally ending up with a few nutters into Vans in Northampton (Nene Valley Vans). We partied a lot even if we didn’t build much. I finally passed my car test in 86 and gave up riding though I didn’t sell the bike for another 4 years. Up till then I’d occupied my time putting in the occasional show with the 650 such as Bingley hall and the Scottish Custom Car show. My only other claim to fame at that time was winning the ‘Conjure up a scheme’ competition in the much missed Rod and Custom UK, sadly Ron Pudney never finished the Mk3 Escort and so I never saw the scheme in paint.
I’ve started far too many cars, and bikes, oh and trikes, all fell by the wayside. I did finish one silly car, a Honda pickup with a 1275 Mini engine, sub-frame, and suspension all in the rear; not exactly fast but great fun, was painted black with red, yellow, and orange graphic stripes. Trouble with being full of ideas is it’s so so easy to start and be full of enthusiasm but have another new idea and lose sight of what you were doing with the first.
I had a dream position with the family factory as I had all the machinery a Rodder could possibly want. Sadly I never had the cash to use it much. I admit that’s a small cop out as I’m sure if I’d concentrated on just ONE project something would have come out. But you get spoilt and never realize how lucky you are until it’s all over and all you have is a vice and a hack saw.
My Father retired in 2000 and I moved on. While working at an engine valve company I kept my hand in by entering Techno games (BBC 2 spin off from Robot Wars) Good friend Lem and his lad Darrel gave me a hand and we managed two Silver medals for the high jump and long jump with Dennis the Hopper. Cost £25 to build and hurt like f**** when it hit me in the face while loading during trials.
I’m now in a dream of a job at SPX designing automotive service tools using Solid Works. I’m currently the assigned engineer to GM Europe, and spend far too much time at Millbrook proving ground (Though sadly not driving around the track).
Personal life has had its ups n downs. Married in 1990, divorced in 2004. So yes girls I’m single, but with a lovely woman called Sue now. Sadly my Dad died in August 2007. He was one of the old school engineers this country relied upon before some prat in an office thought it old hat and decided manufacturing is a thing of the past, and that in future we’ll buy everything from abroad. You could say my dad was literally the Father of Knowledge; taught me everything I know from a manufacturing side. My looooooooooooong over due 100E is gonna be in his memory. Sadly he’ll never see it. Big motivator realizing that. So why the f**** am I here chattin’ to you…Gotta go...Garage calls. (Update:-Now have a Honda VFR800 Vtec... Good to be back on two wheels)

kapri
06-11-07, 10:10 PM
No worries but :-

Could you please give us a little more , the idea behind the intro is so we know WHO is behind the user name and can treat them like 'family'. It helps build a happier atmosphere ,
ta ,
Kev.

Knowledge
17-12-07, 11:11 PM
Updated as requested

Knowledge
20-12-07, 11:51 PM
I know there's this cometition running for the best post so PLEASE don't think I'm trying to promote my cause, but as i inderstand it a two star rating labels this as a poor Intro....Awwww comon lads, at least take me off the poor list. Any new comers will think i've done something wrong.

Mis-cheif
11-06-10, 12:29 PM
Stephen Cartledge
The name Knowledge comes from my friends here in Northant’s area. I’ve had a few others over the years; this one comes from all the technical know how I like to dispense if asked. I left school in Stevenage in 75 to make my way in art, but soon got disillusioned (Well just look at the sh*t that artist palm off on us at each years Turnip prize. Anyone got a Bear suit?) So I went looking for a job so I could buy a Bike and ended up as an apprentice at British Aerospace. When my parents moved northwards in 79 I went with them and helped out. My Dad was an engineer too so I stayed and worked with him for the next 17 years. We ended up in Northampton making bits for the likes of Cosworth and Ilmor.
I cut my teeth in the rodding world by painting my 650 Kawasaki in black and silver Glowble flake with a good friend Howard. We did it in my brother’s bedroom and got high as a kite on the fumes...LOL. That was done in a rush for Ally Pally 79. For some strange reason I like the fact I was in bike ally even though others moaned. By then I’d joined Stevenage Street & Custom which had amongst its members a certain Dave King.
Leaving Stevenage put pay to my club days and I drifted a bit for a short while finally ending up with a few nutters into Vans in Northampton (Nene Valley Vans). We partied a lot even if we didn’t build much. I finally passed my car test in 86 and gave up riding though I didn’t sell the bike for another 4 years. Up till then I’d occupied my time putting in the occasional show with the 650 such as Bingley hall and the Scottish Custom Car show. My only other claim to fame at that time was winning the ‘Conjure up a scheme’ competition in the much missed Rod and Custom UK, sadly Ron Pudney never finished the Mk3 Escort and so I never saw the scheme in paint.
I’ve started far too many cars, and bikes, oh and trikes, all fell by the wayside. I did finish one silly car, a Honda pickup with a 1275 Mini engine, sub-frame, and suspension all in the rear; not exactly fast but great fun, was painted black with red, yellow, and orange graphic stripes. Trouble with being full of ideas is it’s so so easy to start and be full of enthusiasm but have another new idea and lose sight of what you were doing with the first.
I had a dream position with the family factory as I had all the machinery a Rodder could possibly want. Sadly I never had the cash to use it much. I admit that’s a small cop out as I’m sure if I’d concentrated on just ONE project something would have come out. But you get spoilt and never realize how lucky you are until it’s all over and all you have is a vice and a hack saw.
My Father retired in 2000 and I moved on. While working at an engine valve company I kept my hand in by entering Techno games (BBC 2 spin off from Robot Wars) Good friend Lem and his lad Darrel gave me a hand and we managed two Silver medals for the high jump and long jump with Dennis the Hopper. Cost £25 to build and hurt like f**** when it hit me in the face while loading during trials.
I’m now in a dream of a job at SPX designing automotive service tools using Solid Works. I’m currently the assigned engineer to GM Europe, and spend far too much time at Millbrook proving ground (Though sadly not driving around the track).
Personal life has had its ups n downs. Married in 1990, divorced in 2004. So yes girls I’m single, but with a lovely woman called Sue now. Sadly my Dad died in August 2007. He was one of the old school engineers this country relied upon before some prat in an office thought it old hat and decided manufacturing is a thing of the past, and that in future we’ll buy everything from abroad. You could say my dad was literally the Father of Knowledge; taught me everything I know from a manufacturing side. My looooooooooooong over due 100E is gonna be in his memory. Sadly he’ll never see it. Big motivator realizing that. So why the f**** am I here chattin’ to you…Gotta go...Garage calls. (Update:-Now have a Honda VFR800 Vtec... Good to be back on two wheels)
It's a shame your not going to finish the 100E in your fathers memory as you said, he would have been chuft to see you finish a car ANY car. Meccano do car sets, google for a hotrod.