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  #21  
Old 04-17-2013, 07:27 PM
glfrdug's Avatar
glfrdug glfrdug is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Manistee, MI
Posts: 182
Default Bell fork reply

Matt,
We're still here making and shipping forks. Let me know if we can help.
my email is the best way to reach me dbell@manisteenational.com

Thanks for all the kind comments from our customers who have made comments here. You have good choices whichever you choose.
Doug jr.
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Doug Bell
RV 8 N266WB
Grand Haven, MI
cell 231-239-3621
Bell Tailwheel Fork #1
dbell@americandunesgolfclub.com
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  #22  
Old 04-18-2013, 07:21 AM
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flyenforfun flyenforfun is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wilmington DE
Posts: 323
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So I think I've pretty much decided that I am going to go with the DJM lightweight tailwheel. It seems to be the most widely used lightweight tailwheel option.

I am still trying to decide on which fork I want to go with. Strength is of course my top priority, but seeing that they all seem to stand up to the test, light weight is my next priority here along with the added clearance. Should also add some wheel pants clearance as well.

I am also on the fence about switching to the rocket link. I like the look and the reduced drag benefit, but I am a bit nervous about it being too touchy compared to the chains, especially in a crosswind. Thoughts?
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RV-8 - N861MM
Wilmington, DE
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  #23  
Old 04-18-2013, 07:56 AM
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F1Boss F1Boss is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Taylor Texas
Posts: 811
Default link data

The link feels like tight, new chains. Very direct acting - no slop in the steering.

Data point: one fella had his link go south, and operates without any steering. He sez it's fine that way. Hmmmmm...I'd prefer a locking mechanism at minimum (locks the wheel straight until unlocked).

Carry on!
Mark
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  #24  
Old 04-18-2013, 09:19 AM
Jason Krause Jason Krause is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 65
Default Lose/tight springs or Link, try it all

It seems some people like loose springs, some like tight or the links. People seem to feel tight chains are too sensitive or too sensitive for their skill level. Particularly while they are in that stage of over-controlling. I tend think of it as driving a car down the freeway in reverse. It's seems better to me, to do that WITHOUT a bunch of play in the steering wheel.

Do what you're comfortable with first and then try it the other way. Thats the only way you will know for sure.

If you choose one of our Links and are not 100% happy or find it to be too sensitive after a few try's we will take it back and refund the money. You can almost try it for free.
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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.
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  #25  
Old 04-22-2013, 10:43 AM
arunnells arunnells is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 130
Default Rocket link sensitivity

Matt,
I have flown Maule tailwheels with chains, Scotts with chains (broke one on landing in a Super Decathlon in a crosswind, that got my attention!), RV-7 stock set-up with chains and the Rocket link on my RV-6. I would not describe it as sensitive, just precise and solid, it really only does what you tell it to. Kind of like comparing the old Armstrong steering boxes' vague on centre feel, when compared to a rack and pinion steering unit. I did notice a few differences when I changed from the stock tailwheel to the billet wheel, the billet wheel's rubber is much softer and seemed to be much quieter too.

When I landed at Oshkosh, the parallel concrete surface ribs seemed to set up a high frequency resonance on the stock wheel, and it flung grease all over the bottom of my rudder, that is no longer an issue with the sealed bearings. I do however notice a bit more effort on the rudder pedals when turning at slow speeds, I believe due to the softer rubber gripping better and not skidding at all as the harder stock rubber may have done. The difference in the rubber may have been due to UV aging of the stock wheel, but I have not noticed the billet wheel rubber getting any harder, my RV-6 is always hangered, hope this helps. Oh, by the way, I liked the Rocket link enough to install one on my One Design project, albeit with the stock, small, One Design tailwheel (Aircraft Spruce set-up), it remains to be seen how that setup will feel.
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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

Last edited by arunnells : 04-22-2013 at 10:50 AM. Reason: Added comment
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  #26  
Old 04-23-2013, 05:51 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 arunnells View Post
Matt,
I have flown Maule tailwheels with chains, Scotts with chains (broke one on landing in a Super Decathlon in a crosswind, that got my attention!), RV-7 stock set-up with chains and the Rocket link on my RV-6. I would not describe it as sensitive, just precise and solid, it really only does what you tell it to. Kind of like comparing the old Armstrong steering boxes' vague on centre feel, when compared to a rack and pinion steering unit. I did notice a few differences when I changed from the stock tailwheel to the billet wheel, the billet wheel's rubber is much softer and seemed to be much quieter too.

When I landed at Oshkosh, the parallel concrete surface ribs seemed to set up a high frequency resonance on the stock wheel, and it flung grease all over the bottom of my rudder, that is no longer an issue with the sealed bearings. I do however notice a bit more effort on the rudder pedals when turning at slow speeds, I believe due to the softer rubber gripping better and not skidding at all as the harder stock rubber may have done. The difference in the rubber may have been due to UV aging of the stock wheel, but I have not noticed the billet wheel rubber getting any harder, my RV-6 is always hangered, hope this helps. Oh, by the way, I liked the Rocket link enough to install one on my One Design project, albeit with the stock, small, One Design tailwheel (Aircraft Spruce set-up), it remains to be seen how that setup will feel.
Thanks for the info. I ordered a fork and lightweight tailwheel. I think I will install those and get the feel of it then give the rocket link a try.

How far along are you on the One Design? I currently fly a DR107 a friend of mine built. It is an incredible airplane to fly. Took some time to get used to the landing, but that thing is FUN.
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RV-8 - N861MM
Wilmington, DE
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  #27  
Old 04-23-2013, 06:25 AM
AirbusPilot AirbusPilot is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Santiago, Chile
Posts: 447
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by flyenforfun View Post
So I think I've pretty much decided that I am going to go with the DJM lightweight tailwheel. It seems to be the most widely used lightweight tailwheel option.

I am still trying to decide on which fork I want to go with. Strength is of course my top priority, but seeing that they all seem to stand up to the test, light weight is my next priority here along with the added clearance. Should also add some wheel pants clearance as well.

I am also on the fence about switching to the rocket link. I like the look and the reduced drag benefit, but I am a bit nervous about it being too touchy compared to the chains, especially in a crosswind. Thoughts?
Hi Matt,

I have DJM wheel on my own plane and is great, I have a tail fork from Alex Dedominic RVtraining and is great to. Now I have been looking for JDair yoke, Hernan Santibanez bought all tail wheell package and parts looks incredible, I really like the yoke with bearing instead bushing.

Happy flying
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Fernando Abasolo
Santiago Chile
SubSonex waiting for tailkit to arrive
Flying phase II RV-8 (SCSE) Serial Number 83290, Tail Number CC-AJC
Flying RV-8 (SCTB) Phase II 600 hours and counting since February 22nd 2010
Serial Number 82727, Tail Number CC-PXG
Lyc. IO-360, Hartzell Prop
VAF #2056
EAA Member 774981
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  #28  
Old 04-24-2013, 07:26 AM
Fred Hollendorfer's Avatar
Fred Hollendorfer Fred Hollendorfer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Denver (KFTG)
Posts: 11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyenforfun View Post
So I think I've pretty much decided that I am going to go with the DJM lightweight tailwheel. It seems to be the most widely used lightweight tailwheel option.

I am still trying to decide on which fork I want to go with. Strength is of course my top priority, but seeing that they all seem to stand up to the test, light weight is my next priority here along with the added clearance. Should also add some wheel pants clearance as well.

I am also on the fence about switching to the rocket link. I like the look and the reduced drag benefit, but I am a bit nervous about it being too touchy compared to the chains, especially in a crosswind. Thoughts?
Matt.... I've been using the Rocket link since day one. 3 years & 200+ hrs.
It's clean, streamlined, no fuss, no muss. It's a lot easier than dealing with the chains. I'd call it very nicely responsive!...
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RV8, N998W
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  #29  
Old 04-25-2013, 06:54 AM
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flyenforfun flyenforfun is offline
 
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Location: Wilmington DE
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred Hollendorfer View Post
Matt.... I've been using the Rocket link since day one. 3 years & 200+ hrs.
It's clean, streamlined, no fuss, no muss. It's a lot easier than dealing with the chains. I'd call it very nicely responsive!...
And never any issues in a heavy crosswind?
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RV-8 - N861MM
Wilmington, DE
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  #30  
Old 04-25-2013, 08:10 AM
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Fred Hollendorfer Fred Hollendorfer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Denver (KFTG)
Posts: 11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyenforfun View Post
And never any issues in a heavy crosswind?
Well.. There's always issues in a xwind Matt. But none that I've seen that were exacerbated by the Rocket link. One caveat is make sure the locking part of your tail wheel works like it should. I've flown nose daggers for so long that when I started flying my -8 I didn't realize it wasn't locking. It was in full caster ALL the time. I even wore out a set of brake linings! Early on a good friend pointed out the problem. When rectified I was amazed. Once you get the tail on the ground and the stick back the Rocket Link takes over nicely. Very responsive. So far I haven't had to use differential braking because of a Xwind. When wind is that bad I figure it's no fun to fly anyway. I'd say put the Rocket Link on. If your curious go to chains..... I'm sure you'll go back to the link! Fred...
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