Thanks for the input guys! I figured there had to be some rather simplistic solution. From your comments it would appear this is not an altogetherunusual problem. Does anyone believe this "extension" solution puts any unreasonable strain on the front bearing. Saw an article in MAN some time back where a fellow made a long shaft and mounted a bearing in the front bulkhead- this was a glider with probably a 5 or 6" shaft. By the way, the S.T. .61 has a 5/16th shaft.