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12-02-2008, 05:06 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Gatos, CA
Posts: 80
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Monster tailwheel
I thought some of you might be interested in a new tailwheel assembly that Vince Frazier and I have cooked up. It uses a Matco T8 and Vince's 8" fork.
The handling of my RV6 on rough surfaces is significantly improved, and the raised-up tail feathers are much more out of harm's way (rocks thrown up by the main tires).
I'm also running the 380-250x5.00 main tires, and the overall off-road behavior is WAY improved.
Here's a link to a pic of the tailwheel:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/illesg/3077818103/
I don't think he has anything on his site yet, but Vince's URL is:
www.flyboyaccessories.com
G.
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12-02-2008, 10:01 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 11
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Hey that looks good. What did you have to do to fit the 380-250x5.00 mains ?
And in the photo of your whole plane are you at Los Trancas 17CL, Big Creek ?
Phil
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12-02-2008, 10:11 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 659
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upgraded tail wheel
Hi Gregory.
Do you happen to know what the weight trade off is - if any?
__________________
"Pilots: Looking down on people since 1903"
(author unknown)
RV-9, N556RM, O-320, Dual PMags, Catto 3 blade.
FLYING since 2018
Mosquito XEL ready for flight
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12-03-2008, 10:19 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Gatos, CA
Posts: 80
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More info
Phil, you have a sharp eye, yes that's Las Trancas, Bud McCreary's airstrip on Hwy1 near Waddell Creek.
The big Van's pants fit, but I had to move them up about 2" to clear the tires and provide a bit more pants-to-ground clearance. The tires pretty much just fit right onto the existing wheel/brake setup. Of course the brake pressure and tail-steering pressure on the ground are slightly higher now, but no big deal.
Mains add 1.5# each, and tailwheel adds about 3# for a total of 6# increase in empty weight. Net change on CG is -0.4", which means I still have an 80# baggage capacity at worst-case aft-CG loading (empty tanks).
I haven't done any serious speed-testing yet, but with the pants completely removed I lost about 9kts, and when I put them back on everything seemed "normal" - about 140kts at 19" x 2500rpm and 6+gph. My max cruise before was about 168kts @ 7000 but I haven't had a chance to check it.
I REALLY like the improved ground handling and ground clearance, and it doesn't seem like it really cost me anything in performance. But I'm not one of those shaved-knot guys - - if I find out I'm getting 166 now instead of 168, it's not going to ruin my day.
G.
__________________
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Greg Illes, RV6 - N164JH
RHV, San Jose CA
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12-05-2008, 12:12 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Battleground
Posts: 4,348
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Up Front Clearance?
Quote:
Originally Posted by born2fly
I thought some of you might be interested in a new tailwheel assembly that Vince Frazier and I have cooked up. It uses a Matco T8 and Vince's 8" fork.
The handling of my RV6 on rough surfaces is significantly improved, and the raised-up tail feathers are much more out of harm's way (rocks thrown up by the main tires).
I'm also running the 380-250x5.00 main tires, and the overall off-road behavior is WAY improved.
Here's a link to a pic of the tailwheel:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/illesg/3077818103/
I don't think he has anything on his site yet, but Vince's URL is:
www.flyboyaccessories.com
G.
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I like the Bell Wheel for two reasons, clearance on the front side of the tailwheel fork, and better stearing geometry. From the pictures it does not look like you gained that much clearance (could be an optical illusion), and the geometry of the fork to the wheel center line is the same as Van's? (the wheel has to "drag" sideways at low speeds to execute a turn?)
That Monster Wheel on an upsized Bell style fork would give you a boat load of clearance and the geometry. No offense to Vince and his fine products.
__________________
Smart People do Stupid things all the time. I know, I've seen me do'em.
RV6 - Builder/Flying
Bucker Jungmann
Fiat G.46 -(restoration in progress, if I have enough life left in me)
RV1 - Proud Pilot.
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12-05-2008, 01:12 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Gatos, CA
Posts: 80
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pros & cons
The clearance on the Van's wheel (up to the metal of the fork) is a little more than 2". The clearance on Vince's 8" fork is just under 4". Note that if you have clearance ABOVE the centerline of the wheel, it's not necessarily going to do any good in bouncing over a really big obstacle. I've discussed with Vince the concept of incorporating a hard "ramp" on the leading edge of the fork. This would have a more beneficial effect (with a huge obstacle) than just more clearance above the axle centerline - which would tend to 'catch' anyway. But basically, I'm hoping that I have the sense to stay away from 4" high ledges and immovable objects.
Due to the larger wheel size, the "trail" - distance from pivot centerline to axle centerline - has changed from 3.75" for Van's to 4.5" for the 8". It's a compromise between trail and vertical-height change. The tailwheel ground steering is now very slightly heavier than stock, which doesn't bother me, but it's definitely NOT lighter, as would be the case with a Bell or Flyboy 6" fork. The 6" forks reduce the trail and lighten the steering.
So far, I really like that smooth-rolling, high-clearance tailcone. If anything crummy starts to happen, I will keep the forum posted.
G.
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12-05-2008, 01:54 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Battleground
Posts: 4,348
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Nice...
Quote:
Originally Posted by born2fly
The clearance on the Van's wheel (up to the metal of the fork) is a little more than 2". The clearance on Vince's 8" fork is just under 4". G.
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That is a lot of improvement in clearance for sure.
__________________
Smart People do Stupid things all the time. I know, I've seen me do'em.
RV6 - Builder/Flying
Bucker Jungmann
Fiat G.46 -(restoration in progress, if I have enough life left in me)
RV1 - Proud Pilot.
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12-06-2008, 12:26 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mount Vernon, IN
Posts: 1,270
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We knew that the steering would be a bit heavier with this relatively huge tire. However, when you place the 6" tire on top of the 8" tire, the difference in footprint and clearance is enormous.
I think that is what Greg wanted the most.. smoother ride and less chance of the tire encountering an obstacle that it can't handle.
Greg and I are still tweaking the assembly to get a fork that is optimal for those who insist on flying with no limits!
__________________
Vince Frazier
www.f1aircraft.com
F1 Rocket and F4 Raider components
1-888-F1AIRCRAFT (1-888-312-4727)
www.flyboyaccessories.com
RV and Rocket Accessories, Tailwheels, Tools, & More
1-888-8FLYBOY (1-888-835-9269)
F4 Raider - under construction
F1-H Rocket "Crazy Horse" - sold
RV-4 "Chief Pontiac" - sold in 1994, purchased in 2018
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