Nakamichi 480 Part 3 - Capstan Motor Problem Solving

We're not quite done with my high hours Nakamichi 480. Despite the head condition actually being quite decent for the mileage it has on it, this machine will not hold a steady playback speed. It's fluctuating by as much as 100Hz, which is not good.
Today, we're going to try to find out if it's the motor controller causing it to vary as much as it is and either rebuild the motor or entirely replace it. The control motor is already deadspotting again, so all three of these motors are likely at or near end of life.
Part 1: • Nakamichi 480 with Lot...
Part 2: • Nakamichi 480 Part 2 -...
Facebook: / theweatherwolf
Insta: / oklawolf
Camera gear I use:
Nikon D800, Nikon Z50, iPhone XS Max & 13 Pro Max, DJI Action 3, Autel Evo Nano+, Autel Evo Lite+, DJI Mini 3 Pro

[@robin5618]

Very nice Video Series, helped me a lot rebuilding my 480 this Week. Thanks a lot 👍

[@lachlanlau]

2:03 whoa those are the same vessel JIS screwdrivers I have!!

[@hjorte.]

10:36 LOL love it 😅

[@mr.nobody5422]

My Marantz SD800 had same problem, motor couldn't hold speed. Had to swap motor from a 1810 Marantz.

[@BoomBoxHolic]

4:08 These Mabuchi motors are a big pain. I have an identical on a boombox and it causes massive speed variations. I suggest to avoid it.

[@MrCafalex]

do you fix oher models i need a capstan motor can you rebuilt it its a nakamichi tri tracer 1000

[@lachlanlau]

I had the chance to grab a 480 with a missing record level switch on Facebook Marketplace. I regret not going for it.

[@Oklawolf]

You might change your mind on that if you see the other videos on mine.

[@lachlanlau]

@@Oklawolf but it's a nak™ 🥺🥺
i think it was around $75 AUD, but I was trying to get it down..

[@lachlanlau]

@@Oklawolf Just watched the videos.. that does NOT look fun. That mechanism looks terrifying to work on.

[@Oklawolf]

I can confirm that it was in fact not fun. Given the high hours on this machine, I'm strongly considering getting a Technics RS-M85 and swapping this head into it. I've heard it turns those decks into absolute beasts.

[@summersky77]

Get a Denon or JVC. They sound just as good and chances are the deck will still be running. When it finally does need service, they're super easy to work on. Nakamichi decks were overhyped, overpriced and over engineered and tapes produced on them don't sound any better on other player types, if anything, they sound worse.

[@LT.tapeheads.service]

0.5wrms w&f is very good result for this device. Cheers!