How to EASILY replace the back tension belt in a Nakamichi cassette deck! 

Excellent point, thank you for sharing!!!

@@ForeverAnalog - I include myself in the ‘many’. Yup, learned the hard way 🥹

Awesome!!! Here’s hoping it keeps chugging along without any issues.

Awesome! Sometimes if this doesn’t fix it there are motor issues which require more in depth work but hopefully just the belt gets yours going again!

@ForeverAnalog Yup, I went in and ordered the parts for this cassette deck. But I don't believe the problem is that bad as I confirmed that fast forwarding, rewinding, playback, and recording are working. It's just that this crumbling reoccurs at random times, and I bought it from a secondhand store on eBay as well with confirmation that it works. Seller didn't mention to me about this crumpling my cassettes, though. 😞 I'm very much hoping this might just be the solution for it! 😊

There should be some videos already out there showing you how!

@@ForeverAnalog thanks that's a start!

Good luck. I love those models

Check the link in the video description! Or google “Nakamichi belts vintage electronics” and it should be the first link to pop up.

@@ForeverAnalog thank you! Quick and informative video! I don’t have the issue with my Nak but will eventually since it’s 40 years old!

@@primeanalogrecords thank you for watching!

It's probably easiest to purchase the Nak BX-100 belt kit on their site as I don't think they sell the tension belt by itself. But this way you'll have the other capstan belt if needed later on down the road!

@@ForeverAnalog Great! thank you so much!

When I got the plate off neither belts were visible. The BX 100 is a little different than the 300. I had watched another video about issues with the idler wheel and that sanding it a little would help and it did!!! For a few rounds with a couple of tapes so I probably should replace that. The other belt is pretty loose though (the one on the right). What is that called? I opened the bottom because I dropped the little screw and I saw the left hand belt that that seemed in good shape and it turned things well. Have you done any videos on replacing the right hand belt on a BX-100? BTW I really want to thank you for giving me the courage to tackle this!!

@divaarch59 I need to make some bx 100 videos! The belt on the right is for the counter. Definitely change the idler tire. If you Google “Nakamichi BX-2 idler tire replacement” you should see my blog post that shows how with photos. It’s not hard you just have to go slow so you don’t use the plastic washer

I will check that out. I saw someone's video and they warned about losing the washer. I will look for your blog post. You're very clear. Thank you so much for your help. I would never have believed I could do anything like this. It's so empowering. I was a classical singer for years and have tons of cassette tapes of performances, coachings and practices. I'm trying to digitize as many as I can before it's too late. The Nakamichi has a beautiful sound and so being able to do basic repairs myself (hopefully) is such a relief. It's so hard to get someone to do it. The guy who sold it to me doesn't do it anymore. @@ForeverAnalog