strikemaster

Better late than never lol. I ended up fitting a new Belt...got onto a couple pretty cheap. It aligns ok now with very little 'obvious' wear and tear. I now have vibration problems that I never has before. It only stops vibrating between 1600 and 3700 rpm and then comes back at 4000rpm. I simply put up with it and keep in the good range as much as possible. I do wonder though, where one can get Amax parts now?

Thanks facthunter ... I will find out the reason tomorrow as it is sitting on the bench at Engine Works in Winchelsea and ready for the postmortem. I just wondered if you have ever heard of a faulty R/Drive causing engine problems like this b4. Oh, and I see you instruct at Lethbridge. I drop in there from time to time in the Karatoo ( and b4 that I had a Farmatesv11) since I fly out of my paddock at Birregurra about 30 miles south west of Lethbridge. I also flew citabria's in the past ( Scout and Decathlon) ... anywhere I can get a geek at yours online? Will keep you posted.

Ok, as you know I was having Amax reduction drive belt problems that could have been caused by worn bearing, and now my EA81 has shot a big end through the block spewing oil and water all over the windscreen as I was rotating during takeoff. Another 5 seconds later and I would have ended upside down as I collide with the runway fence. I did notice a slight loss of power the day before. My questions are Could the reduction drive problem affect the engine like that? (It was only 160 hours old and full of oil) With the new engine when fitted, would it be better to use a new reduction drive rather than the one causing trouble? If so, what R/D would you advise ... another Amax or something else? Appreciate any feedback

Hmmm... I never thought of that. I took it for granted it would be a Cam thing. Thanks roo...I'll check it out soon.

Gliding is the ultimate in air sports I reckon. Did about 100 hours in Tassie flying them. http://www.tasgliding.com/ Been a while since though. I remember once I was nearly sucked into a monster cumalous ( big black bugger) and had to point the nose almost 45deg to the ground and over the VNE to escape. Taught me a good lesson. By the way Darren...you learn anything at the other gfa site? ;)

Hi guys, this could be off topic, but I am desperate for help in this matter and just wondered if any of you have experience with Amax reduction drive belt alignment. I have a Karatoo with an Subaru EA81, and am having so much trouble trying to center the reduction drive belt. I follow the procedures for adjustment ( i.e. moving the cam either clockwise or anti clockwise), but just cant seem to get it right...the belt ends up either to far forward or to far back on the pulley wheel, and will then rub and ware on the pulley guide rim...it wont stay in the center. Even after just millimeter adjustments, it is enough to sway it from one extreme (side) to the other, and so it seems impossible to center it on the pulley wheel. Any help on this is greatly appreciated. The belts cost near $300 each and I have worn 6mm off the width of it already in only 20 hours, so at this rate it will cost me a packet . I have tried the Amax dealer (Max) but he cant help without looking at it and I live so far away from him. Thanks ... Mike

Hi there Sunny. I see you did some hang gliding and just wondered how 'physical' the training is. I have always dreamed of doing it one day but just never got around to it...thats why my mates call me Gunnabee I guess lol. I am 55 years old and phyically average I would say, and was wondering if I could handle the training. It's a bit gruelling I heard. Flying without power is the ultimate I recon. I did have a fly in a drifter at Sunbury about 15 years ago and found it rather exciting stuck right out front (almost on the nose of the aircraft) like that. I'm used to having plenty of aircraft in front of me. It has got to be the closest thing to "flying by your pants" I recon hehe. Anyway mate, welcome and all the best with ya Drifter ;)

Yes Arthur, it sure is a pity to sell the farmate...I just love to fly it. Unfortunately it is a single seater with barely enough room for a spare bottle of drink, let alone a dog and a tent lol, and I am ready to head outback for awhile, so I do need room for supplies. Can't wait!

Hi fellow flyers. Great reading from these posts...good way to learn I recon. Well I come from Birregurre (near colac) in the south west Victoria. Learnt to fly GA in '85 and did a few years in gliders between 94 and 2000. As fly both these types began to get out of the average income earners reach at the turn of the century, I converted to ultralights in 2000, and never looked back. I do mess gliding alot which IMO is the ultimate in wings, but I now get much more bang for my buck. I currantly fly a SV11 Farmate which is for sale in order to make hanger space for a Karatoo J6. I am blessed with my own hanger and strip at my back door which is a great saving in time and traveling as well as money. Looking forward to many more great reads here.