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  #11  
Old 04-17-2013, 07:11 AM
gbusterguy gbusterguy is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Waverly KS
Posts: 20
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I've been using the Flyboy Accessories tail wheel and steering link for about
3 years now. No problems, works great. The guys at Flyboys are really great to work with. I really like the sterring link system instead of the chains.
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  #12  
Old 04-17-2013, 07:32 AM
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rvn817j rvn817j is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burnsville / Apple Valley, MN
Posts: 111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Martin View Post
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"
I have a set up similar to Tom's (with about 2 years less). (I may have purchased my link from Tom - I forget - but it was wonderful doing business with the seller!) No issues (keep everything clean and lubed, change the link sleeve every year or 2). Vince's tail wheel improves your forward vision attitude on the ground (lifts the rear an inch or 2 over Van's tail wheel). I also fitted a Van's tail wheel fairing over Vince's tail wheel (I'm still "tweaking" the fit, but it looks "cool"). If you had chains and Van's tail wheel, you will feel like you have power steering after swapping those items out with the rocket link and "Y" fork tail wheel.
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RV8 N817J
Airworthiness Cert. 10/99
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  #13  
Old 04-17-2013, 07:47 AM
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flyenforfun flyenforfun is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wilmington DE
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Martin View Post
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"
Do you have a link where this stuff is available?
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Matt Giordano Sr. and Jr.
RV-8 - N861MM
Wilmington, DE
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  #14  
Old 04-17-2013, 07:50 AM
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flyenforfun flyenforfun is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wilmington DE
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR View Post
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.
Is the Bell fork still being made and do you know where I can get one? I like the look of this fork.
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Matt Giordano Sr. and Jr.
RV-8 - N861MM
Wilmington, DE
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  #15  
Old 04-17-2013, 08:09 AM
arunnells arunnells is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 130
Default Rocket link

Good day, I have about 250 hrs on a Rocket steering link (Had to replace the bent rod once at annual), a modified Vans fork (to raise the tail about 1 1/4 in ) and the light weight billet wheel from Vans, LOVE the combo, no wear that I can see, you won't be sorry.
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RV-6 tip up,190hp,Pmag,ported/flowed ECI heads, WW200 prop,older glass panel,long range tank,SOLD
RV-3A tip over, 170 hp, dual Pmags, 15 gal wing tanks, CN-1,CN-2 wing mods, D10A, XM396, SOLD
Murphy Rebel Elite purchased and flying
DR-107 One Design project with Schuenemann 21 foot wing, wing tanks, 50% done SOLD
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  #16  
Old 04-17-2013, 08:11 AM
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hydroguy2 hydroguy2 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Townsend, Montana
Posts: 3,179
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Here's what I got. Plus the Rocket steering link. I haven't went to a lighter tailwheel....yet but will when this wheel is worn out. 180hrs and wouldn't change anything. When I was building I had several people tell me....use chains first, the steering rod will be too sensitive. But I had only 10 hrs of RV time prior to taxiing so I didn't know any better. The steering link on a RV handles excellent, I had it figured out before I got halfway to the runway.

http://www.flyboyaccessories.com/sto...dmp252paum87p0
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  #17  
Old 04-17-2013, 09:07 AM
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Neal@F14 Neal@F14 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 2,182
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I have the "Deluxe" composite tailwheel from Flyboy Accessories.

http://www.flyboyaccessories.com/sto...dmp252paum87p0

It's not quite as light or pretty as the DJM tailwheel, but costs nearly $50 less. I think it's much better than the original stock Vans tailwheel that was on my RV-6 when I bought the plane since it's got sealed bearings that don't sling grease all over the place and it weighs about 6 oz less, and every little bit of weight savings on the tail helps since I've got a wood prop and the potential for aft CG issues like many similar RV-6s. The rubber compound on this tailwheel seems to be wearing almost identical to the original stock tailwheel too, so lifespan will likely be the same.

I've also got a Rocket Link, it came with the plane. My first 25 RV hours were in an RV-4 with chains, and I've now got almost 150 hours in RVs equipped with the Rocket Link, and about 10 in an RV-8 with a stuck tailwheel locking pin and thus free castoring . All three types are perfectly easy enough to taxi with on the ground once you get used to them, but I do prefer the Rocket Link.
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Airplaneless once again...
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  #18  
Old 04-17-2013, 10:44 AM
Jason Krause Jason Krause is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 65
Default JD Air Tail Wheel Info

Matt,

The tire we sell is the DJM tire. It's the best one out there. $118 in stock. More info

Our fork provides all the benefits of any other only without the weight penalty. It's available plain or black/white powder coated. Very reasonable priced at $155 and in stock. Fork info

Our Tail link is second to none in quality and performance. Tail Link info. Tested and very proven design. Many of our customers have switched from other tail links and reported back very happy with the product.

We also offer the only ball bearing yoke that provides incredible tailwheel control and reduced maintenance. Check out the post with photos and video Here

Currently we have free shipping on orders over $150

If you or anyone wants to put together a combo that we don't currently offer on the site. Just call or email I'll put something together so you can save a few bucks.
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Jason Krause
RV-7 SB Finish Kit
Flying other people's stuff RV-9, Kit Fox.....
www.JDair.com
RV accessories including TailWheel Steering Links,
Upgraded Tailwheel Forks and Rudder Pedal Extensions.

Last edited by Jason Krause : 04-17-2013 at 10:51 AM.
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  #19  
Old 04-17-2013, 04:12 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyenforfun View Post
Is the Bell fork still being made and do you know where I can get one? I like the look of this fork.
I bought one last August. Here's Doug Bell's contact info:

DOUG BELL, PGA
General Manager / Director of Golf
Manistee National Golf & Resort
231.398.0123 ext. 101
www.ManisteeNational.com
dbell@manisteenational.com

Dave
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  #20  
Old 04-17-2013, 04:14 PM
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vfrazier vfrazier is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mount Vernon, IN
Posts: 1,270
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I'd like to thank everyone for the nice words about our products. It is a good feeling to know that other RVers are happy with our efforts!

We have a full line of tailwheels products, everything from the rod springs to the sockets, control arms, forks, the ORIGINAL RV/Rocket steering links, and tires. Find them here.

Lot's of other stuff too, canopy latches, graphics, tools, Gustbusters, internal rudder stops, intake adapters, rear seat rudder pedals, oil filter cutters, gear leg stiffeners, seat heaters, canopy breakers, marking gauges, rod end bearing tools, paint protection film, wing walk tape, 3M weather stripping, firewall and cowling insulation, Nomex gloves (including brown), Vedalo sunglasses (the absolute best and lightest), and a bunch more stuff that RVers won't find elsewhere.

Thanks!
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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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