Looking for tailwheel improvements

[flyenforfun]

Hey everyone,

I've been searching around for various tailwheel improvements for my -8 and I've found alot of info on this forum but I wanted to get some more recent opinions from people who have been using some of the different products available who can attest to their longevity.

Here is what I am looking for:

Most importantly, I want to upgrade to a lighter tailwheel. Something that saves some weight over the stock wheel.

I'm looking for suggestions on fork upgrades.. what products are available and what makes it an upgrade?

Lastly I think I want to ditch the chains and give a link a try. Does more than one brand for this rocket link exist or is "Rocket" the brand? Has everyone had good luck with these? No failures or issues?

Thanks for the help as always.
-Matt

[Andy Hill]

Bell Tailfork a vast improvement in looks / ground clearance over Vans stock at a small weight penalty. Other similar brands available.

Vans do a "lightweight" tailwheel, but does not get great reviews on longevity.

I find chains work well, so no opinion on "link".

Do you really want lightweight back there? On many RV-8s, getting CG back is beneficial, and this is the most effective means. Depends on prop / battery / "mission".

[Bastien]

Matt,
I never tried the chains but I am very happy with my steering link.
I bought the one from JDair Part http://www.jdair.com/categories/Tail...l-Link-Combos/
It is a bit expensive but it is very clean.

There is also the one from FlyBoy accessories but you already knew it.

I hope this will help you

[Ironflight]

The lightweight tailwheel from DJM has been outstandng on our -3. 240 hours, lots of landings, virtually no wear, and sealed bearings.

[flyenforfun]

Originally Posted by Andy Hill

Bell Tailfork a vast improvement in looks / ground clearance over Vans stock at a small weight penalty. Other similar brands available.

Vans do a "lightweight" tailwheel, but does not get great reviews on longevity.

I find chains work well, so no opinion on "link".

Do you really want lightweight back there? On many RV-8s, getting CG back is beneficial, and this is the most effective means. Depends on prop / battery / "mission".

I will be switching to a Catto prop this summer and my CG will most likely move aft significantly.

[flyenforfun]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

The lightweight tailwheel from DJM has been outstandng on our -3. 240 hours, lots of landings, virtually no wear, and sealed bearings.

How does this compare to the light weight tailwheel that JDair sells?

[HSANTIBANEZ]

Buy extra rod ends, bacause they lost the threads when removing it.

Regards

Originally Posted by Bastien

Matt,
I never tried the chains but I am very happy with my steering link.
I bought the one from JDair Part http://www.jdair.com/categories/Tail...l-Link-Combos/
It is a bit expensive but it is very clean.

There is also the one from FlyBoy accessories but you already knew it.

I hope this will help you

[Tom Martin]

I was the original Beta tester for the rocket steering link some 10-15? years ago. And I have flown with one ever since.
Seven years ago I switched from Van's tail fork to the one that Vince Frazier sells and it has been going strong, 700 hours, since then. It is a great improvement on the original equipment.
Vince also sells a tail wheel with sealed bearings and I have about 500 hours on that unit so far with no issues. It is lighter then the stock unit but I have not tried some of the other "light wheels"

[N941WR]

I second Paul's comments regarding the DJM tailwheel.

As for the fork, I have The Doug Bell fork and it has worked great for almost 500 hours.

I have only used chains but have them installed with AN42B-5 eyebolts, sticking up at the tailwheel and down on the rudder horn.



This eliminates the wear of the aluminum rudder horn and allows the bolts to be replaced when they wear / elongate.

I would suggest you start with the chains and change them later, if you don?t like them.

[Remag]

My set-up... Vince Frazer tailwheel fork (hard chromed to stop stone chips), standard Vans wheel, NO chains or steering link. Free castoring is the way to go. It is simply the nicest ground handling taildragger I have ever taxied/landed IN ALL CONDITIONS.