Hi,

I have just picked up a Yamaha K-960 (rescued from a recycling centre
for $5.00 - all I had at the time) and it has cleaned up to "mint"
condition. I had hoped to replace an aging Technics RS-M235X with a
cantankerous transport. But it has a problem I need help with.

When I first tested it with a cassette, everything worked for a minute
or so, but then it stopped, and now I have no FF-REW, or tape take up
on play. If I hit either of FF/REW, the reel motor runs for a second
and stops, but nothing moves. If I hit Play, the capstan starts the
tape moving, but there is no take up and the mechanism stops after a
second. (Presumably designed that way - fortunately...).

I'm guessing its a belt or some other transfer from the reel motor to
the hubs, but can't figure out how to get at it! The fact that I saw
it work once, for a few seconds, implies there are no parts missing.

Are the hubs driven by a belt, or idler/s? Can (will?) anyone help me
with instructions to access the reel drive?

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

....Surely SOMEBODY out there knows SOMETHING about this unit...?

Michael

"idealist" wrote in message
oups.com...
...Surely SOMEBODY out there knows SOMETHING about this unit...?

Michael


Generally speaking, those old Yamaha's got bad reel idlers. Sometimes
cleaning the rubber would get them going, but often the rubber is cracked
and useless. To my knowledge, Yamaha no longer stocks these parts, but you
could try them and see. Problem is the unit is approaching 20 years old -
it's rare for any company to stock mechanical parts for units that old.

Mark Z.

Thanks, - doesn't sound reel hopeful...

cheers,

Michael

In .com, on 12/16/05

at 02:30 AM, "idealist" said:



Hi,

I have just picked up a Yamaha K-960
[ ... ]

first tested it with a cassette, everything worked for a minute
or so, but then it stopped, and now I have no FF-REW, or tape take up
on play. If I hit either of FF/REW, the reel motor runs for a second
and stops, but nothing moves. If I hit Play, the capstan starts the
tape moving, but there is no take up and the mechanism stops after a
second. (Presumably designed that way - fortunately...).

I would classify this problem as "low torque"

I recommend replacing all of the rubber parts that you can.

You may be able to achieve a quick fix if you pop the top and clean the
rubber idler with your favorite rubber cleaner. Be sure to clean the
pressure roller while you are in there.

It's been a while since I've seen a K-960, but many idler wheels are
easier to clean if you remove the backing plate (behind the cassette
shell).

Don't spill any rubber cleaner on plastic parts.

-----------------------------------------------------------
spam:
wordgame:123(abc):14 9 20 5 2 9 18 4 at 22 15 9 3 5 14 5 20 dot 3 15
13 (Barry Mann)
[sorry about the puzzle, spammers are ruining my mailbox]
-----------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for that, will have a look. That was my original idea, but I
thought there might be a better/easier way, as the backing plate screws
are hiding behind the cassette door frame... (maybe I can get the
frame off...)

regards,

Michael

Thanks to Mark and Barry.

Once the front panel was off, undoing a screw at the side of the
cassette door allowed the door frame to drop, and the mechanism cover
could be removed. It was indeed an idler tyre that had split and
broken, and was replaced with a rubber washer from a plumbing
fitting, which is identical in every way. Go figure...

It works absolutely fine now, thank you.

and $20 has gotta be a bargain for a mint K-960!

Thanks again,

Michael

"idealist" wrote in message
...
Thanks to Mark and Barry.

Once the front panel was off, undoing a screw at the side of the
cassette door allowed the door frame to drop, and the mechanism cover
could be removed. It was indeed an idler tyre that had split and
broken, and was replaced with a rubber washer from a plumbing
fitting, which is identical in every way. Go figure...

It works absolutely fine now, thank you.

and $20 has gotta be a bargain for a mint K-960!

Thanks again,

Michael


WOW. Glad that worked out for you. Who'da thunk?

Mark Z.

idealist wrote:
Hi,

I have just picked up a Yamaha K-960 (rescued from a recycling centre
for $5.00 - all I had at the time) and it has cleaned up to "mint"
condition. I had hoped to replace an aging Technics RS-M235X with a
cantankerous transport. But it has a problem I need help with.

When I first tested it with a cassette, everything worked for a minute
or so, but then it stopped, and now I have no FF-REW, or tape take up
on play. If I hit either of FF/REW, the reel motor runs for a second
and stops, but nothing moves. If I hit Play, the capstan starts the
tape moving, but there is no take up and the mechanism stops after a
second. (Presumably designed that way - fortunately...).

I'm guessing its a belt or some other transfer from the reel motor to
the hubs, but can't figure out how to get at it! The fact that I saw
it work once, for a few seconds, implies there are no parts missing.

Are the hubs driven by a belt, or idler/s? Can (will?) anyone help me
with instructions to access the reel drive?

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

EASY FIX,

The tape counter belt is off or broken. If the tape counter is not
sensing movement, it tells the deck to shut off. Put a new belt on it.


idealist wrote:
Hi,

I have just picked up a Yamaha K-960 (rescued from a recycling centre
for $5.00 - all I had at the time) and it has cleaned up to "mint"
condition. I had hoped to replace an aging Technics RS-M235X with a
cantankerous transport. But it has a problem I need help with.

When I first tested it with a cassette, everything worked for a minute
or so, but then it stopped, and now I have no FF-REW, or tape take up
on play. If I hit either of FF/REW, the reel motor runs for a second
and stops, but nothing moves. If I hit Play, the capstan starts the
tape moving, but there is no take up and the mechanism stops after a
second. (Presumably designed that way - fortunately...).

I'm guessing its a belt or some other transfer from the reel motor to
the hubs, but can't figure out how to get at it! The fact that I saw
it work once, for a few seconds, implies there are no parts missing.

Are the hubs driven by a belt, or idler/s? Can (will?) anyone help me
with instructions to access the reel drive?

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

wrote in message
oups.com...

idealist wrote:
Hi,

I have just picked up a Yamaha K-960 (rescued from a recycling centre
for $5.00 - all I had at the time) and it has cleaned up to "mint"
condition. I had hoped to replace an aging Technics RS-M235X with a
cantankerous transport. But it has a problem I need help with.

When I first tested it with a cassette, everything worked for a minute
or so, but then it stopped, and now I have no FF-REW, or tape take up
on play. If I hit either of FF/REW, the reel motor runs for a second
and stops, but nothing moves. If I hit Play, the capstan starts the
tape moving, but there is no take up and the mechanism stops after a
second. (Presumably designed that way - fortunately...).

I'm guessing its a belt or some other transfer from the reel motor to
the hubs, but can't figure out how to get at it! The fact that I saw
it work once, for a few seconds, implies there are no parts missing.

Are the hubs driven by a belt, or idler/s? Can (will?) anyone help me
with instructions to access the reel drive?

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael



It was the idler tire. He related the story back to the group:


"idealist" wrote in message
...
Thanks to Mark and Barry.

Once the front panel was off, undoing a screw at the side of the
cassette door allowed the door frame to drop, and the mechanism cover
could be removed. It was indeed an idler tyre that had split and
broken, and was replaced with a rubber washer from a plumbing
fitting, which is identical in every way. Go figure...

It works absolutely fine now, thank you.

and $20 has gotta be a bargain for a mint K-960!

Thanks again,

Michael



Mark Z.