Nakamichi BX-2 Cassette Deck - Mechanical Repairs, Belts and Idler Tyre (Part 1 of 2)

Part one of two, simply because there are so many electrical adjustments they warrant their own video. an absolutely lovely Nakamichi BX-2, which has plenty of faults upon arrival. In the end I repaired the eject button, the base plate, the damper for the eject mechanism - and of course the belt and idler tyre.
Look out for part two where I detail all the electrical adjustments and calibration, coming in a few days time.

[@TheSmarsden]

I have the same the same deck and this video has been priceless, so many thanks.

[@cheapoldhifi]

Nice to se proper detailed restoration, keep it going!

[@savingsoul]

A work of art

[@JohnnyMotel99]

Rewind tyre also used in AIWA high end deck. See Mend it with Mark channel.

[@davidbutler8096]

The BX-2 was released in 1982, and discontinued a year later. It originally retailed for $450. Nice job on the repairs.

[@paulb4uk]

A nice deck the nakamichi,s are superb ,Some of the nakamichi car stereo,s the early ones are also amazing for sound quality seen a few on youtube .

[@LtdBoomer]

I always polish capstan shafts and flywheels with the Dremel and the blue polishing paste. This gives a better Wow&Flutter in my opinion.

[@audiotone.]

16:24 pressure plate in the wrong direction...

[@pwrestoration]

I don't even need to open to the video to know 👍😅 I flipped it.

[@DJMONKEYFINGAZ]

Mine isn't going into play, ff or rw. Before it stopped completely it was having trouble. The main belt spin when i hit play but nothing. Could it be the Idler tire?

[@pwrestoration]

If it's not the idler tyre it'll be the motor that controls it (the reel control motor) which is the one in the middle of the transport as you look in the unit. Use a torch and see if it's spinning when you press RW/FF. If it is spinning, idler tyre. If it's not, it's either a duff motor or you need to clean all the leaf switches on the top of the transport. Those motors are known to be a bit pants but generally it also affects playback too. If it's just RW/FF then it's probably not totally knackered. Hope that helps! If you're in the UK give me a shout via the email address in my profile if you would like me to take a look.

[@DJMONKEYFINGAZ]

@@pwrestoration unfortunately I'm in NZ but I'll definitely have to get it looked at as it's beyond my skills.

[@jomente]

Thank fp´or this helpful video! what is the name of the white fat (grease) and the oil by the Injektion for the capstan.Thanky You!

[@pwrestoration]

Grease is MolyKote DX, oil is slug slime

[@jomente]

Thank You

[@nansenscat9315]

Hello. I’m following your video to restore my BX-2. I’m not sure what you used to clean the capstan wheel? 15:40 you mention wet n dry? I’m in USA and I’m not sure what that is! I can’t seem to get that brown stained residue off the capstan. Any advice? Thanks!

[@pwrestoration]

Wet and dry is very fine emery paper. I would suggest 1000 grit. Just take your time, but any cleaning product will work well too.

[@nansenscat9315]

@@pwrestoration Thank you! I did use 1000 grit paper and followed with naphtha and it worked perfectly to clean the capstan. Actually finished the entire job today and the BX-2 runs like it was new again. Your video here has been really helpful. Thanks so much for doing this!

[@idiotbox1981]

Working on my BX-1 right now - I also noticed missing screws securing the transport. I wonder if the same guy put our decks together or it was a much bigger issue?

[@pwrestoration]

I think, from memory, those screws are supposed to be missing oddly. I think we are alright 😅

[@davesanders4381]

I recently acquired one of these decks in pristine condition. Replaced the idle tire, and capstan belt, and the Wow/Flutter measured about 0.28%. Replaced the pinch roller with a new one from the Athan Corp and the Wow/Flutter measured about the same if not slightly worse. Any suggestion on what to try next?

[@pwrestoration]

Generally the nak idlers are better than new ones. If it's not totally knackered, stick it back on and see if that helps. But I also wouldn't get too hung up over wow and flutter if it sounds good to your ears 💪

[@ccscomments757]

Obviously the audio on this video was not recorded on any Nakamichi cassette deck ever.

[@pwrestoration]

It was, all my audio is recorded on Nakamichi decks. That's why it's not reliable! 😅

[@xvdifug]

This deck reminds me of my ONKYO TA-2055 similar mech. no belts only a tire on the idler.

[@bengaltiger74]

Hi, I just followed your steps on my Nakamichi bx-125e and after connecting to power supply to turn on and test, resistor R612 went up in flames!!? Do you know what that is for and what I may have done wrong? Also the head engages and disengages continuously!

[@pwrestoration]

Sounds like you might have a cross connected live and earth somewhere!

[@bengaltiger74]

@@pwrestoration Hi, yes one of the earth wires on the sankyo transport came out of it’s solder. However, the head engaging and disengaging continuously is as a result of me cleaning the armature to the motor causing it to become polarised which I’m told is a common problem. Thanks for your reply.

[@k__k___]

Just picked up a BX-2. It plays for about 5 seconds and then auto-stops and spools some tape out that I have to wind back in. I assume it's a pinch roller or capstan belt? I have the parts on order. Do you have a written guide I could maybe follow to replace them?

[@pwrestoration]

I would say it's the idler tyre thats not driving the right spool properly, generally the pinch rollers on them are fine. Just this video I'm afraid and to be honest, should be all you need. It's not too hard once you get in there. Good luck!

[@Nguyen_Phuc08]

Just got a 480 Nakamichi from Flea Bay, onthe rewind pickup it is missing a "Reel Hub Head". Do you know where to source this? Seems that the "c-clip" that holds the pickup part is gone as well.

[@pwrestoration]

Is that the pyramid shaped part of the reel? Any should fit. The c clips can be bought by searching for watchmaking pusher c clips. They come in a little box set

[@earthriverproduction]

I have one of these and when I press play, FF or Reverse it tries for 2 seconds then clicks stop. Everything else looks really good, it was boxed and stored for many years. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[@pwrestoration]

There is a sensor which lets the deck know whether the tape is turning. When you get to the end of a tape, and it stops turning, the deck will stop. If it were me I would be investigating where this sensor is and cleaning it testing it. Otherwise, it could be that it just needs a bloody good service and the tape isn't turning freely. I'd say your issue lies there if it does it during all modes, and the speed of the FF, play and RW is correct before it turns off.

[@ПавелЛещенко-к4у]

Добрый день,а я думаю из своего опыта с bx-2, у вас проблема c идлером, замените .

[@ПавелЛещенко-к4у]

Размер идлера 15*10*2мм

[@xvdifug]

Any chance that you may have a SONY TC-K777 in the cue?

[@pwrestoration]

Hi I don't but I'm always on the lookout for ES decks that need work. Unfortunately so is a lot of other people. The transports as very solid on them, two capstan. Lovely build quality.

[@xvdifug]

@@pwrestoration If you're interested check out my TC-880-2 repair video...no sound but the details are in the description, VERY old video

[@wanazami7667]

No theres only that one screw that holds the transport to the chassis as are all Sankyo transport in all Naks bro.

[@rancosteel]

I think Nakamichi over engineered their decks. That circuit board is huge for a budget deck.

[@pwrestoration]

For the original sale.price, it isn't a budget deck really. It maybe their lower model, almost the lowest, but it was still pricey. Still pricey now for what it is.

[@rancosteel]

@@pwrestoration I owned a new BX-1. I bought it from a stereo franchise dealer in the USA called Tech-Hifi. I believe I paid $168 USD in 1981. They made great equipment but they were overpriced IMO. I remember several of my friends who wanted to buy a Dragon but could not finance one. I think that was Nakamichi's undoing. Out of the general consumer's budget. That didn't happen to Sony.

[@camperp195]

Why is it that 80,s hi fiis far superior than the crap of nowadays,

[@pwrestoration]

In some cases definitely! This in particular wipes the floor sonically with a lot of decks