r/AllThingsOldAndNew

(light-hearted/amusing image)

People are bound to disagree with this; citing the slower the driver, the more chance of accidents and/or road rage happening.

(tongue-in-cheek caption, but I like classic cars)

Last week I picked up this Sharp GF-800Z (D) boombox from 1983. Originally, it had a couple of minor age-related issues; one of which was the tape decks wouldn't play, fast forward or rewind.

After opening it up over the ANZAC Day weekend, I discovered the idler gears for the take-up in both decks were seized. A thorough clean and lubrication fixed everything. Belts are good. The other issue was a horrible groaning noise accompanied by a mechanical vibration in TAPE 1. I replaced the capstan flywheel (with one from an identical junked mechanism), and both pinch rollers, which fixed the problem. This is the second boombox tape deck I've replaced a capstan in.

Seller I bought it from claimed the clock didn't work (all it needed was a AA battery). Time showing on it (albeit fuzzy) was correct when I took these pics. I quickly tested the decks with a Maxell UR 60. FM and all electronics work perfectly. The speaker grill foam is still intact as well. No other repairs needed.

Finally I re-adjusted the tape speed (both decks ran below correct position) using a professionally recorded 1 kHz calibration tape.

I now own 7 of these in my collection - fully working.