rbent Forum - Lost my idler...

FlyingLaZBoy

Moderator

'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803

Lost my idler...
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. Huh

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........ Sad

Back to top

« Last Edit: Mar 4^th, 2013, 7:19am by FlyingLaZBoy »

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************

IP Logged

rmillay Five Star Member rbent member; go Clowns! Posts: 2201	Re: Lost my idler... Reply #1 - Mar 4^th, 2013, 8:31pm That's sad! Why am I laughing?
Back to top	Catrike 700 RANS Formula LE , sold Catrike Musashi Catrike Speed Catrike Speed, sold back "It [Nissan Titan] wasn't named truck of the year because it wasn't the best!" Clay Cooley in his TV a IP Logged

Bud_Bent Moderator Posts: 3311	Re: Lost my idler... Reply #2 - 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.
Back to top	« Last Edit: Mar 4^th, 2013, 10:41pm by Bud_Bent » Bud * 2009 RANS F-5 Pro * 2009 RANS XStream * 2004 RANS Screamer My Blog - uneasy-rider.com IP Logged

freakflyer9999 Posts: 272	Re: Lost my idler... Reply #3 - 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.
Back to top	Kenny G Bacchetta Cafe <SOLD> Terratrike Cruiser Bacchetta Strada IP Logged

FlyingLaZBoy Moderator '16 ICE SprintX fs, '16 Rocket, '12 KHS Mocha Posts: 5803	Re: Lost my idler... Reply #4 - Mar 5^th, 2013, 2:15pm Quote from rmillay on Mar 4^th, 2013, 8:31pm: That's sad! Why am I laughing? I believe the German word for this is "Schadenfreude" (shod-en-froid-uh) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCQGQ5qBQTA
Back to top	**************** "A hundred miles on a bike? How many days does that take you?" **************** IP Logged

FlyingLaZBoy

Moderator

'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803

Re: Lost my idler...
Reply #5 - 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...

Back to top

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************

IP Logged

jayg

Five Star Member

rbent member

Posts: 4195

Re: Lost my idler...
Reply #6 - Mar 9^th, 2013, 5:07pm

Quote from 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...

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.

Back to top

IP Logged

Andy rbent member Posts: 28	Re: Lost my idler... Reply #7 - 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.
Back to top	IP Logged

FlyingLaZBoy Moderator '16 ICE SprintX fs, '16 Rocket, '12 KHS Mocha Posts: 5803	Re: Lost my idler... Reply #8 - Mar 21^st, 2013, 7:25am I'll send it up, Andy!
Back to top	**************** "A hundred miles on a bike? How many days does that take you?" **************** IP Logged

jayg

Five Star Member

rbent member

Posts: 4195

Re: Lost my idler...
Reply #9 - 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.

Back to top

IP Logged

Andy

rbent member

Posts: 28

Re: Lost my idler...
Reply #10 - 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.

Back to top

IP Logged

FlyingLaZBoy

Moderator

'16 ICE SprintX fs,
'16 Rocket, '12 KHS
Mocha

Posts: 5803

Re: Lost my idler...
Reply #11 - Mar 22^nd, 2013, 8:58am

Quote from 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.

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

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.

Back to top

« Last Edit: Mar 22^nd, 2013, 9:07am by FlyingLaZBoy »

******************
"A hundred miles on a bike? How many
days does that take you?"

******************

IP Logged

Andy rbent member Posts: 28	Re: Lost my idler... Reply #12 - 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!
Back to top	IP Logged

Seavo_Sam Posts: 17	Re: Lost my idler... Reply #13 - 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!!!!
Back to top	Rans Seavo Tandem - for us Bacchetta Strada - for me IP Logged