Why does this £350 Nakamichi cassette deck refuse to play?! Argh!

This deck is one of Nakamichis later models with an upgraded Sankyo transport. It has an intermittent issue where it stops when playing - could it be the reel sensors or the reel motor?
The reel motors are notorious for having flat spots and causing this. But what a journey it is to replace!
(And, if you watch the video.. twice!)
The replacement motor I used in this video is sold as a Long Shaft DC 12V Mabuchi RF500TB - 12560.
Make sure you get the correct model number like I didn't!
For more details on Sanyo transports and Nakamichi decks, check out my other videos here:
CR-3E:
• Using a MICROSCOPE to ...
DR-3:
• Seller said it's broke...
BX-2
Part A (Mechanicals)
• Nakamichi BX-2 Cassett...
Part B (Electrical adjustments)
• Nakamichi BX-2 Cassett...
#nakamichi #pioneer #hifi #jbl #audio #nakamichiindonesia #sansui #audiophile #amplifier #caraudio #vintageaudio #technics #nakamichiaudio #kenwood #marantz #stereo #audiomobil #s #hifiaudio #headunit #sony #music #nakamichicaraudio #schiit #cassette #vintagehifi #nakamichitws #klipsch #android #vinyl
#cassettedeck #cassette #s #cassettecollection #cassettetapes #cassetteculture #cassettetape #cassettecollector #cassettes #hifi #tapedeck #vintageaudio #cassetteplayer #tapes #music #tape #stereo #cassettejunkie #cassetterecorder #nowplaying #cassetteporn #nowspinning #vintage #audio #cassetteigclub #taperecorder #vintagehifi #sony #analog #audiocassette

[@duncanrace8626]

It's actually my deck - great job Paul!! I also have a Sony 661s which Paul sorted out - again great work. I've some cassettes from back in the day that I very occasionally play, and I can now do tape to tape with the Nak being the playback deck. I doubt tapes will come back like vinyl has but if (like me) you want to record something from vinyl or another source, a good cassette deck can have its place. Getting a good vintage one serviced like this gets you a better machine than a new one (without dolby etc).

[@florianm3170]

Good job, thank you for also showing a suitable replacement type for that reel motor. I would have transferred the metal wrapping from the original motor which is hid under the nak sticker, it does shield from spark interference of the motor which could possibly be picked up by the tape-head.

[@wepif]

Another great job, well done Paul

[@pwrestoration]

Many thanks!

[@tomc1969]

I just bought a CR4-E and found it has a take up reel problem….so I hopefully this video helps me!

[@mphilipsen3077]

I bought this deck in 1992 for 999 Dutch Guilders, (today €950). Surprisingly good value for the money.

[@pwrestoration]

It sounds very nice

[@raythomas4812]

I should have give you my Aiwa xls 7000 to service ! - great video

[@chuckmaddison2924]

Very nice , I have 2 Sony Walkman's and a Kenwood hifi deck from early 70's. Bought new and now for sale
USD $ 1000.

[@thejoojooman6538]

Fantastic video dude.

[@pwrestoration]

Thanks a ton!

[@Eyerex]

Had my Nakamichi Cassette Deck 2 from new and it's still going strong handy thing is they can be picked up for a good price these days as most people want the more high-end decks also bought a DR-3 about a year ago which i think is the same deck just with a different fascia for £60 and it's in mint condition

[@pwrestoration]

Yes they're very similar internally. Thankfully they got rid of the bloomin idler tyre

[@davewalker7126]

That was great to watch - I have one of these decks so may be useful one day. £350 though? They tend to sell for about 1/3 of that on the bay.

[@pwrestoration]

Sorry, that was their original RRP - in 1990! One pricy bit of kit back then.

[@RUfromthe40s]

My father was a nakamichi user but so many times i saw him send them cassette decks and not only to repair, so i think they all were badly built. The so talked about Dragon was my worst deck ever and bought it twice ,once in late 82 and other in 1993, but remenber to record cassettes in a 1000 with a nr module for my first family car, at home i recorded reels, a car that came with a pioneer radio cassette player ,while all others had 8-track cartridges , this in a BMW 76 523i what a car , i still have it. about this deck i thought this were the best series but maybe because at the time i didn´t use it much, the deck was a "cassette deck 1" as all the functions as the CR-7 or the ZX-9

[@RUfromthe40s]

this one was bellow the top end model but itwas released later a cassette deck 1.5

[@jasonhandy8442]

Happy days good outcome

[@DavidMander-rs4uk]

A good outcome would be to bin it and get a decent CD player instead!

[@rufuspage6210]

Knackered-Michi

[@pwrestoration]

Unfortunately as I repair them that's the only kind I see! 😅

[@rufuspage6210]

@@pwrestoration 😂

[@solidstate90]

Hey still lovin the content, had another question tho...where do you get your pinch rollers from?? I forgot what video it was but I remember you said you got them in bulk.

[@pwrestoration]

I generally get them from eBay, and have a stock, but for some higher end stuff I like to buy individual ones. For most of my Sony stuff I measure the one coming off with a micrometer and order 5 or 6.

[@portnaluinge]

I have the same deck, although in silver, and really like it. What causes these motors to flat spot, and is there any way to avoid it?

[@pwrestoration]

Unfortunately it seems not, it's caused by lack of use or the motor being in one position. The motors CAN be refurbished but the concencus is that it will fail again. Using a new, albeit Chinese replacement is looked down on by purists but it doesn't affect playback or recording. Just takeup and RW/FF. I've done a few now.

[@jeruffleupagus]

How did you trim that shaft without bending it?

[@pwrestoration]

Witj a Dremel and a cutting disk

[@cassettedeck-walkman-repair]

good job ! where are you sourcing your mabuchi motors from if i may ask ?

[@pwrestoration]

eBay!

[@cassettedeck-walkman-repair]

@@pwrestoration that’s where I found them as well , wondering if there was another source 😉

[@Badassvidsz]

Quick answer to your video title quetion :
Because it's broken ...hmm said it .

[@dimitarkirchevdimitrov6321]

Great job as usual 👍What is the source for that motor?

[@pwrestoration]

Thanks! Off hand I can't remember, I think it was eBay for a pair (couldn't source a single) but it came from somewhere random like Germany

[@the.sidekick1969]

Hi have a look at Nic and Andrea Hills they have a tool box full of electricals ideal for you and fixing players

[@pwrestoration]

👍

[@luanhana2100]

I GOT ONE FOR 5 BOX WORKING .

[@pwrestoration]

Five boxes!

[@MetalGreggNY75]

the Japanese word for fly is tobe (pronounced Toby).

[@8BitNaptime]

more like knackeredmichi amirite

[@pwrestoration]

A lot of them are, from this end they're not the most reliable machines

[@DavidMander-rs4uk]

Messing around with cassette decks in 2024 is laughable!! 😆 I gave up the format in 2001, absolute trash nowadays 🗑️

[@pwrestoration]

Top comment would read again 11/10

[@sw6188]

Yes, it is 'laughable' - I'm laughing all the way to the bank. I am still repairing and servicing them and I have enough work to keep me going for a long time yet, with new jobs arriving every week. If it's "absolute trash", how come so many people want their decks repaired?

[@ShazeemKhan]

@David Mander 😂your commenting this trash on a successful technician's video, who is kind, helpful and educational is *even more laughable!* 😂
I liked ur comment yes, but because it made me 😂
PW Restoration, u keep up the outstanding work, mate, haters gotta hate.
Greetings from Trinidad❤

[@angelodagnolo984]

@@sw6188 because he's a fool lol I have two decks and still use a top of the range Sony in my car 😉👍

[@assistantto007]

Then why are you here? It must be very boring for you.