Model B wind damper extension ring

[Ergmeister]

I rebuilt a model B earlier this summer and replaced, repaired, and refurbished everything available. It had been used intermittently and stored in a Vermont barn for years and had rust in places I didn't know could rust. The original 15 tooth Model B sprockets are no longer available from C2 so I used a new C/D 14 tooth sprocket which is the only option. The rower was still pretty heavy at the catch and felt like damper 10 on a new D.

The owner was unhappy with the rebuild advising that his wife used both a D and this B and that the rebuilt B was still too heavy for her.

Our Boat Club's Director of Rowing has been a rowing coach for 45 years and mentioned that there was a big ring that was offered at one time for the Model B that covered the side of the flywheel cage. Trial and error with choking off air flow and after more fiddling it wasn't long before the right cage side was nearly covered with duct tape and sure enough, it worked like a charm! Pulled no differently than a new D on damper 3 - yea!

After the fact, I found this document http://www.concept2.com/files/pdf/us/in ... nstall.pdf which sheds some light on the topic, but I'm interested to know who else has fiddled with closing off the air intake side of Model B and how you did it?

I think cutting a ring from plywood or pvc will be the final answer now after looking at the wind damper extension ring document.

C2's support of their product, and this document are just astonishing. The model B is over 20 years out of production but they still have this document available. Kudos to C2!

[new_ton]

Concept2.com has the ring for sale still. It is PN # 372. It's $12.30 before shipping.

[Bob S.]

When I still had my old B I found that the cardboard box that a floor fan came in fit nicely over the wheel. Fully enclosed it could lower the DF as far as 50. Sliding it in or out gave full control.

Bob S.

[Howard N]

I used black duct tape. It has worked fine.