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General Category >> Technical >> Lost my idler...
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Message started by FlyingLaZBoy on Mar 4^th, 2013, 7:18am

Title: Lost my idler...
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Mar 4^th, 2013, 7:18am

Like what happened to Jay a while back, at some point during the Forney ride yesterday, the bolt holding the "chain keeper" part of the Xstream crossover idler vibrated loose and came off -- I have no idea when, but I'm surprised I didn't hear the chain rubbing against the arms at some point. When I got back to the parking lot, I noticed the assembly was gone. :-? The IDLER was still there, obviously, but no one in the group saw the piece fall off, so I had no idea where to look for it. I noticed that even one of the 3 screws holding the idler together was starting to back itself out, as well.

Not quite thinking clearly, I put the bike on the roof rack, and drove home... and on I-30, heard the crossover idler fall off and hit the car roof as I drove into the gusting winds... and saw it roll off somewhere off to the side, but there was so much traffic I couldn't stop or really even pull over.

So, I'll be ordering a new idler assembly........ :(

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by rmillay on Mar 4^th, 2013, 8:31pm

That's sad! Why am I laughing? [smiley=evil.gif]

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by Bud_Bent on Mar 4^th, 2013, 10:40pm

I started to post some really snide remark, but decided that since I have a bike with a RANS idler, that would be bad karma.

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by freakflyer9999 on Mar 5^th, 2013, 8:18am

My idler made a lot of noise when it tried to come off on a ride last year with Greg. Took a few minutes to identify exactly what was causing the noise, but it was very noticeable. We stopped and I tightened it up and haven't had a problem since.

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Mar 5^th, 2013, 2:15pm

rmillay wrote:

That's sad! Why am I laughing? [smiley=evil.gif]

I believe the German word for this is "Schadenfreude" (shod-en-froid-uh)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCQGQ5qBQTA

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Mar 9^th, 2013, 4:02pm

Got the new idler assembly on Thursday, and was able to do the night ride to downtown and back... They've changed up the design a little, using a rubber plug instead of a sleeve, as an expansion fitting.

Jay made and sent me one of his "shade tree machine shop" assemblies, out of the simple goodness of his heart... unfortunately, they've apparently gone to a smaller-diameter tube coming out of the frame, and the knurled end wouldn't fit into it, much less if there was a rubber sleeve to expand against... I'll take a look at the one on the old 2010 Xstream, to see what's changed (a GDB rider still has it). So thanks, Jay, but I may be returning it to you...

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by jayg on Mar 9^th, 2013, 5:07pm

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

I was afraid of that. Just keep it. Maybe you'll run across someone some day that needs a retainer. It fits a 2009 X-Stream, and those with idler shafts of the same I.D.

By the way, we ran across the "GDB rider" at the RBM trike ride. We discussed recumbents with her in the former Livestrong Room, after the ride.

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by Andy on Mar 20^th, 2013, 7:28pm

Hi Paul, I ride a 2009 Xstream and would love to have that knurled piece if you don't want it. Thanks,
Andy. :)

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Mar 21^st, 2013, 7:25am

I'll send it up, Andy!

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by jayg on Mar 21^st, 2013, 5:49pm

The retainer is best installed with a T-handle allen wrench. With the wrench inserted in the fastener head, rotate the assembly, so the knurled tailpiece contacts the I.D. of the idler shaft and creates the friction necessary to prevent it from rotating when the screw is turned. Once the screw is tightened, the retainer will not come out, until you want it to. Unlike the expanding-rubber retainer, this retainer prevents the chain keeper from rotating.

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by Andy on Mar 21^st, 2013, 7:49pm

Sweet, thanks Paul! pay pal you shipping? Still trying to get you a pic of the 700c wheel in the tandem, don't have digital camera. also, can you post a pic of how the pedals on the tandem should be set up again? We are still in sync and I want to try you and Terry's setup.

Thanks again Paul and JayG...you Texans are alright! :)
Andy. :)

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Mar 22^nd, 2013, 8:58am

Andy wrote:

Mailing is chump change -- but it'll cost you $25 for the pedal advice... :D

Not really, of course... I simply rotated the pedals out of sync by about 20 degrees or so, such that the "power stroke" happens at the same time for both riders. Sit in the "captain" seat and put the pedal/crank straight out so your leg is fully extended -- that is where you would want the 'stoker' to be fully extended as well, so that will show you the angle you need, looking at the stoker crank vs. where it needs to be. Remove the front chain, rotate the captain crank clockwise, then reattach the chain. Tweak as needed.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/106_9199-1.jpg

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by Andy on Mar 23^rd, 2013, 10:21pm

Excellent! That is just the pic and info I needed! I'll move the crank set tomorrow. As usual thanks a million for all your help. I'll buy the lemon beers for y'all at the RANS rally next year. :)
Andy
P.S. Please tell Terry Becky and Andy said Hi!

Title: Re: Lost my idler...
Post by Seavo_Sam on Apr 22^nd, 2013, 9:42pm

I am glad I read through this link and saw the picture. I will see if the wife wants to try this. Make sense though to make this change!!!!