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HeliProz . ZoomsHobbies . HeliHobby

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Bergen R/C Helicopters > Intrepid head stuff
 
 
freestyle
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA USA

I was gonna call Bergen RC today but by now I'm sure they're closed... so I might as well be prepared before I call tomorrow:

I ruined a couple of radial bearings in my blade grips while replacing my o-rings last weekend. The inner race of the bearings was so tight that sliding them on and off the blade axle (with help from the MA blade puller tool) made them notchy after just a couple of tries.

What's the correct way to replace the o-rings? Can it be done without risking the bearings? Should the blade axle be sanded down before putting the bearings on in the first place?

I expected to cook the blade grips to get the old bearings out? Would it hurt anything if I dremel the inside the blade grips to get the bearings to fit with finger pressure at room temperature?

I notice there are two versions of the blade axle listed at the web site. Is the new version made without the 'stepped down' sections at the ends? What other parts would I need if I want to use the new axle?

Thanks.
07-30-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
MikeS
Senior Heliman
Location: So. Calif.

Hi Nate, Bergen R/C is still "open".........Sounds strange to bugger radial bearings just taking it apart. I've been taking my Bergens apart (crashing)for close to 4 years now and haven't seen that one...I don't think boring out the grips for the bearings is a good idea, and yes the new axle doesn't have a step, all that is needed for the conversion is new thrust bearings.

Give them a call,
Mike
07-30-2002 Over year old.
 
 
Malorie
Elite Veteran
Location: Paw squared, MI

Nate,
I have had a tight head axle before. If the bearings fit tight you can buff the head axle down a bit before you assemble it so they fit nice.

Mike is correct in both cases, yes Bergen is still open for business and yes the new axle has no step at the end requiring a change in the thrust bearings. The older style axle was tending to mushroom over a bit making the axle a few thouandths shorter and making the outer race of the thrust bearing stick on there.

Give them a call, (616) 445-2060. BTW the 616 will be changing to 269.
Malorie

Life's a journey, NOT a destination.
07-30-2002 Over year old.
 
 
freestyle
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA USA

Thanks for the help. I know they're still in business, I just didn't think anyone would be working the phones at 8pm local time.
07-30-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
freestyle
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA USA

just got off the phone with Larry....

I asked him if he knew about a recent upgrade to the Futura SE that puts two o-rings at each end of the blade axle (the o-rings last forever this way), and he said they have found that this works will with the Intrepid head as well, and he'd be glad to modify my Intrepid's head to accept four o-rings. I'm going to ship mine in for the modification.

This is the first I'd heard of that, so I thought I'd share. The o-rings in the new Robbe head last many times longer than they used to (I haven't replaced them since I did the upgrade about 40 gallons ago), so I'm pretty sure this will be worth a little bit of down time.

He also said that the tight fit I ran into is not normal, so I'm expecting things to fit together much better with the new axle and bearings.
07-30-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
GMPheli
Veteran
Location: W. Bridgewater, MA USA

Hey Nate:
How much does Larry charge for the head mod?

Thanks
Alan Angus
08-05-2002 Over year old.
 
 
freestyle
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA USA

good question

I forgot to ask.
08-05-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
freestyle
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA USA

I just got the head back along with a few parts (new spindle and bearings), and there was no charge for the head modification. That's pretty cool.
08-26-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
rchelipilot
Heliman
Location: Atlanta,Ga.

intrepid

Freestyle,

That just goes to show you how good those guys up there at bergen really is,I've never owned a heli that product sopport has ever been so nice.I just wish the price would come down some so that i could own another intrepid!
08-26-2002 Over year old.
 
 
freestyle
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA USA

Yep.

I just wish the price would come down some so that i could own another intrepid!

Me too. I also wish the price would come down so I wouldn't be the only guy within miles who flies one of their helis. Maybe they could do a version of the 3D with a plastic head, CCPM, and belt drive to get the costs down, sorta like the entry-level Fury? I dunno... I hope they can find a way to make the price more competitive though, it would be nice to see more of their stuff flying around here.
08-27-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
freestyle
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA USA

another "head thing" question

I've upgraded to the newer non-stepped spindle as well as the aforementioned double-o-ring setup. The new thrust bearings are odd. I'd call to ask about this, but it's late there and I was hoping to pack up and fly tomorrow morning...

Weird thing #1: flat races. Every other thrust bearing I've seen, including the old bearings for this chopper, have had 'grooves' scooped out of the inner and outer races, for the balls to ride in. These are perfectly flat. There's still the ring with the balls in it of course, but the outside parts of the bearing are perfectly flat on both sides.

Weird thing #2: inner diameters. Also, all four races have exactly the same inner diameter. If I line them up on the spindle and rock them, they all tilt exactly the same amount. Ever other bearing I've seen has had 'inner' races with larger IDs, and 'outer' races with IDs that just barely fit over the spindle. I seem to have four races that are somewhere in between.

Is this normal for the new thrust bearings, or did I get a set that still need a bit of machining?

Thanks.
08-28-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Chris Bergen
Key Veteran
Location: location

Hey Nate,

Nope, nothing wrong with your thrust bearings. They are just a different type that works equally well. Yes, the inner dia. are the same on all 4, so there is no concern on which one goes in or out.

Enjoy, and check to be sure the amount of dampening is correct for your style of flying. You may need to add an additional shim to get the head as tight as you like.

Chris Bergen
08-29-2002 Over year old.
 
 
freestyle
Veteran
Location: Redmond WA USA

Thanks Chris. Larry called earlier today to tell me the same thing, and to help me get the bearings and shims and washers all stacked properly. With luck I'll have it in the air tomorrow.
08-29-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
rchelipilot
Heliman
Location: Atlanta,Ga.

bergen service

now that is what I call service to have the C.E.O. of bergen helicopters to answer your questions wright here on line.If i might say it's pretty good for me and another guy at our flying field to have chris flyin' with us, now that is service on the spot for us.

thanks,
chad
08-31-2002 Over year old.
 
 
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Bergen R/C Helicopters > Intrepid head stuff
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