Cleaning & Maintenance while Model B Flywheel is apart?

[BlueRow]

I picked up a Model B that is in good shape, but has a dirty flywheel. I plan to open up the cage and clean everything, plus replace the bearings & bearing cups since it seems easy to do and I’ll already have it apart.

Is there any other general maintenance, like cleaning or lubrication, that you recommend while I have everything apart? Nothing is mentioned in the “axle or sprocket replacement” or “Model B repair, maintenance....” docs I’ve seen from C2 online.

[Cyclist2]

It's been quite a while since I worked on my 35 year old model B with millions of meters, but it still spins freely and smoothly. C2 doesn't recommend bearing replacement as routine maintenance and as I recall (Carl Watts, the erg expert may chime in here) the bearing removal and reinstallation requires precision press fitting; not an easy job.

The only replacement I've ever done on the B is the shock cord inside the monorail. Follow the diagrams and instructions carefully, but it's not a particularly difficult job. Hmm, maybe the seat rollers, I don't remember. Anyway, the easier stuff.

Good luck with your new vintage rower. I still like mine even though I don't row it much anymore.

[BlueRow]

Thanks for the reply Cyclist2. I'm under the impression I'll have to pull the bearings and axle just to get the flywheel truly out of the cage, so I purchased the Part #484 Tool Set to pull and then reset those parts. Thought I may as well put new bearings in while it's apart.

I may be diving in well over my head, but part of what I really like about this machine is that it does seem serviceable, particularly with all the guides from C2 and the forum. If anybody has horror (or success!) stories with their model B, I'd love to hear them

[akrafty1]

I did this very thing with a model B purchased last fall. I replaced all of the bearings minus the clutch bearing which I cleaned and lubricated. It is not complicated. Just go slow and think it through. I replaced the bungie and plastic parts in the rail and added a PM5.

Make you a speed ring to get the drag factor down and then have fun. I love the look of the B and it kicks my tail as much as I let it.

[c2jonw]

Congrats on the acquisition of the B! The B was the workhorse for virtually every rowing program in the world from the mid 1980's to the mid 1990's and was a big driver of Concept2's current success.
It sounds like your machine is in good condition- no skipping chain or slipping clutch or funky noises from the flywheel? If so I'd go ahead with removing the flywheel from the cage to clean it and replace those two cage bearings and the cups because it's easy to do. While the flywheel/axle assembly is out of the cage being cleaned, go ahead with removing the axle from the flywheel- there's a retaining clip on the fan side to remove and then the axle can be slid or gently tapped out the sprocket side of the flywheel. The clutch is on the sprocket side of the flywheel and looks like a needle bearing. Spray some solvent on it and gently brush or wipe to clean it out, being careful not to dislodge any of the needles. Lube it with some 20 weight oil and reassemble. The bearing on the fan side of the flywheel isn't too difficult to replace but if it feels ok I wouldn't mess with it.
Give the chain a cleaning and lube with 20 weight oil. Check the bungee cord and Chain Slide for wear- replace as needed. Then row.

Good luck with it!