rbent Forum - RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer

jayg

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Posts: 4195

RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer
Oct 14^th, 2012, 4:17pm

The latest problem I've had with my X-Stream, since JimFPU contaminated it by installing a surrey top on it while it was in his possession, is the loss of the idler retainer/chainkeeper somewhere at WRL. The stock retainer is a rubber assembly that expands into the I.D. of the hollow idler shaft when the screw in it is turned clockwise. Decided to fabricate a retainer from aluminum, since the stock rubber retainer deteriorates, after extended contact with chain lubricant.

Idler shaft and removed TerraCycle idler.

Initial turning of idler retainer assembly on my Atlas lathe.

Disassembled expanding-segment idler retainer/chainkeeper.

Assembled retainer/chainkeeper.

Installed retainer/chainkeeper.

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« Last Edit: Oct 14^th, 2012, 4:18pm by jayg »

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FlyingLaZBoy Moderator '16 ICE SprintX fs, '16 Rocket, '12 KHS Mocha Posts: 5803	Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer Reply #1 - Oct 15^th, 2012, 6:52am Very nice work!!! I've never had a problem with that idler tightness, but I'll give it a look... I may also contact you about "lathe-ing" a piece for me for a project...
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jayg

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Posts: 4195

Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer
Reply #2 - Oct 15^th, 2012, 9:05am

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Oct 15^th, 2012, 6:52am:

Very nice work!!! I've never had a problem with that idler tightness, but I'll give it a look... I may also contact you about "lathe-ing" a piece for me for a project...

Thanks, Paul. I have to admit that I accelerated the deterioration of the rubber by spraying chain lubricant on it when I was lubing the idler shaft. The rubber expanded and became very soft.

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JimFPU Five Star Member RBENT member, now in Virginia. I miss Texas! Posts: 1011	Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer Reply #3 - Oct 16^th, 2012, 1:12pm That surrey was one of the best things to happen to that bike!!!
Back to top	'13 Bluevelo carbon Quest QB 74 - The Flaming Eyeball '12 ICE Sprint X 26 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cUvLNb9JJ6UAQkw7KYDQw Store: https://flaming-eyeball-graphics.square.site IP Logged

jayg Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 4195	Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer Reply #4 - Oct 16^th, 2012, 3:54pm Quote from JimFPU on Oct 16^th, 2012, 1:12pm: That surrey was one of the best things to happen to that bike!!! I still can't get that ugly sight out of my mind. What an evil deed.
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JimFPU Five Star Member RBENT member, now in Virginia. I miss Texas! Posts: 1011	Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer Reply #5 - Oct 17^th, 2012, 6:32am I'm going to miss you my friend!
Back to top	« Last Edit: Oct 17^th, 2012, 6:33am by JimFPU » '13 Bluevelo carbon Quest QB 74 - The Flaming Eyeball '12 ICE Sprint X 26 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cUvLNb9JJ6UAQkw7KYDQw Store: https://flaming-eyeball-graphics.square.site IP Logged

Rat Rider

Recumbents Across
Texas

Posts: 147

Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer
Reply #6 - Dec 2^nd, 2012, 5:31pm

Wow. The lathe work is very impressive. I wish I could do that kind of stuff.

To add to the thread, the idler post on my Xstream busted off. When it did, it sent the idler hurdling into the frame, then spat out behind the bike. The frame (of course) had only just been re-powder coated from RANS (sigh). RANS fashioned a bolt on post and it is back to normal.

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jayg

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Posts: 4195

Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer
Reply #7 - Dec 2^nd, 2012, 9:11pm

Quote from Rat Rider on Dec 2^nd, 2012, 5:31pm:

Wow. The lathe work is very impressive. I wish I could do that kind of stuff.

To add to the thread, the idler post on my Xstream busted off. When it did, it sent the idler hurdling into the frame, then spat out behind the bike. The frame (of course) had only just been re-powder coated from RANS (sigh). RANS fashioned a bolt on post and it is back to normal.

Thanks. I attended engineering school so long ago we actually had lab courses that gave us hands-on experience in learning how metal items are manufactured. That's where I learned to use a lathe, among other metalworking tools.

The X-Stream's idler post is pretty solidly welded to the frame. Your's must have been a victim of metal fatigue.

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Rat Rider Recumbents Across Texas Posts: 147	Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer Reply #8 - Dec 3^rd, 2012, 8:24pm [quote author=jayg link=1350249454/0#7 date=1354504300]Quote from Rat Rider on Dec 2^nd, 2012, 5:31pm: snip... Your's must have been a victim of metal fatigue. It busted off just west of the weld. I can't say fatigue for sure, darned tired certainly...
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Rat Rider Recumbents Across Texas Posts: 147	Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer Reply #9 - Dec 6^th, 2012, 1:28pm Quote from JimFPU on Oct 16^th, 2012, 1:12pm: That surrey was one of the best things to happen to that bike!!! I don't have a dog in this "surrey" debate, outside of Switzer's TE abomination... However, when I saw this image today I remembered this thread. It seems to me to lack a little practicality.
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FlyingLaZBoy Moderator '16 ICE SprintX fs, '16 Rocket, '12 KHS Mocha Posts: 5803	Re: RANS X-Stream TerraCycle Idler Retainer Reply #10 - Dec 6^th, 2012, 2:32pm Not to mention that "endos" are bad for toddlers... and their chauffeurs...
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