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R. Hankins
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 185
Location: Grants Pass, Oregon
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 Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject: Brake report |
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Hello all,
I finally saved enough money to put brakes on my Firestar. I chose the Back Max BX-1000 brakes made by Free Bird Innovations (FBI) in Minnesota. Steve Boetto of this list said they looked good, and I got a good feeling talking to the owner Kieth LeCleir. I also took a look at the installation manual they have on their web site and liked the simplicity of the design.
I spent most of the day yesterday putting on new axle fittings and getting them aligned. The brakes mounted easily on the axles and running the brake lines took less than an hour. Getting the grip style master cylinder mounted on the stick was more challenging, but I won't bore you with the details.
Bottom line is that I am very satisfied. I tested the brakes today at two paved, one gravel and one sod field with great results. They slowed me down quickly with no tendency to grab or pull to one side. I turned off on the first taxiway for the first time in my Kolb career.
On the ramp, I can add throttle til the tail comes up with the stick all the way back and the brakes don't slip. As a bonus, the new brake, tire, wheel system weighs five pounds less than my original Kolb brakeless wheels and tires. At $389 for tires, wheels, axles, and brakes, it would be hard to find a better brake system deal for a Firestar.
I flew 391 hrs without brakes, and now have 3 hours with them. I don't think I'll fly without them again.
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Roger in Oregon
1992 KXP 503 - N1782C |
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R. Hankins
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 185
Location: Grants Pass, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Brake report |
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Kolbers:
I need to update the above report. After 10 landings or so, the tires that came with the Black Max brakes were showing quite a bit of wear. They just aren't tough enough to be used off airport. If you get these brakes, do yourself a favor and have them keep the tires. (you save $ .
I replaced them with a set of Air Trac 6.00-6 4ply tires. I mounted them on the same rims at 8psi and left the tubes out. I made twelve landings with them yesterday and did lots of taxi testing. The Air-Tracs are great. They give my firestar a bit of a jaunty stance (compared to the old tires)and don't shimmy after takeoff. My turning radius on the ground is also improved. The brakes are getting worn in as well. I made two landings that were less than 150 feet. All but one were shorter than 250'. I forgot to take my camera with me, but I'll post pictures if anyone would like them.
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Roger in Oregon
1992 KXP 503 - N1782C |
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gotime242
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 52
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
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| Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Brake report |
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Hello, i dont mean to bring this up from the grave...but im curious as to how the axles that come in the kit are mounted onto the current FS landing gear. Are they a pretty easy replacement or do they require a bit of fabrication?
I have a fs2 that could use a new brake setup...
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Carolina Flyer
Joined: 03 Oct 2010
Posts: 62
Location: Buffalo, South Carolina
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| Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject: Brake report |
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No fabrication at all !!!!
This a 6 Year Old could do..... You take the Black Max Axle and install the woodruff key, then you slide the Caliper onto the axle and when directly over the woodruff key you tighten a set screw that is in the bottom of the caliper...... After that you remove the Kolb's Axle and slide in the Black Max Axle.... Then you drill two holes that secures the axle like the Kolb axle was secured..... Joe
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| Description: |
Here is My Black Max Set-Up
The Wheels are custom made for me, for these Tundra Tires |
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127.63 KB |
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7126 Time(s) |
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Kolb Firestar II
503 C-Box / RK400
Soon to have a
Rotax 670 DCDI
with a C-Box and
RK 400 Clutch
Challenger II
503 Tall Drive
Location : Buffalo South Carolina |
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Carolina Flyer
Joined: 03 Oct 2010
Posts: 62
Location: Buffalo, South Carolina
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| Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Brake report |
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Here is a Picture of my Kolb Firestar II with a different set of Wheels on the Black Max System...... If you buy extra wheel hubs you can change both tires in less than 5 minutes.... You remove a cotter pin then unscrew a Nylon lock Nut using a Ratchet and 15/16" Socket. Put the different set of Wheels on, replace the one nut and cotter pin, and your ready to Fly.... In this Picture I have 8" rims that have standard DOT approved Radial Trailer Tires... .. I use this set-up when I am using the paved Runway.......... When I am on a Grass Strip it is back to the Tundra Tires.......... Joe
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| Description: |
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141.1 KB |
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7122 Time(s) |
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_________________
Kolb Firestar II
503 C-Box / RK400
Soon to have a
Rotax 670 DCDI
with a C-Box and
RK 400 Clutch
Challenger II
503 Tall Drive
Location : Buffalo South Carolina |
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fs2kolb(at)aol.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:26 am Post subject: Brake report |
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Did you attached the master cylinder to the heel brakes or do you use a handle brake?
I would like to see pictures of the heel brake setup
--
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Dana
Joined: 13 Dec 2007
Posts: 1047
Location: Connecticut, USA
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| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: Brake report |
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At 08:24 AM 10/9/2010, fs2kolb(at)aol.com wrote:
| Quote: | Did you attached the master cylinder to the heel brakes or do you use a handle brake?
I would like to see pictures of the heel brake setup |
Here's a couple pix of mine, on my UltraStar. These are Hegar, not Black Max, master cylinders, driving the Black Max calipers.
Had a bit of trouble with the brakes today. Went out to fly, taxied out to the runway, and the left brake pedal went to the floor and stuck there. Taxied back to my trailer, and it was a good thing, because contrary to the forecast, the winds suddenly picked up and started howling, gusting to 20, which is real nasty on this hilltop airport. Anyway, turned out the master cylinder was scored, not sure why, probably a bit of crud got in it. Took it home, honed it out and replaced the o-rings, went back and spent some time bleeding the system... and the caliper bleeder screw stripped out, Grrrrr... took it home and managed to tap it out for a larger bleeder screw, but not before sunset. Oh well, hopefully tomorrow will be better...
-Dana
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| Description: |
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1.96 MB |
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7083 Time(s) |
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2.06 MB |
| Viewed: |
7083 Time(s) |
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gotime242
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 52
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: Brake report |
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Carolina flyer: where did you get your tundra tires? Im thinking of doing something similar now...but maybe for a 6x6 rim.
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Carolina Flyer
Joined: 03 Oct 2010
Posts: 62
Location: Buffalo, South Carolina
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: Brake report |
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| gotime242 wrote: | | Carolina flyer: where did you get your tundra tires? Im thinking of doing something similar now...but maybe for a 6x6 rim. |
I have not seen any Tires this Big that will fit on a 6" Diameter Wheel... That is the Reason I had the 8" Wheels I have made for me.... Joe
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________
Kolb Firestar II
503 C-Box / RK400
Soon to have a
Rotax 670 DCDI
with a C-Box and
RK 400 Clutch
Challenger II
503 Tall Drive
Location : Buffalo South Carolina |
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