Carbon frame owners, what's the verdict?

[recurry]

Originally Posted by prototype3a

For me, the CF chassis only makes sense on the 600se. On any of the smaller birds the extra weight is significant and the benefits are negligible. I had one and ended up selling it. The big thing I hated about the CF chassis is how much of a pain it is to get the gear mesh right AND get the motor bolted up just right for the free end bearing to work. I really do prefer the plastic frames.

I tend to agree that the CF frame makes more sense for an SE. It really adds the robustness that is needed for a 700 size machine. A set of metal blade grips and so-called "true" 700 machines have nothing on a CF SE.

On the gear alignment, I've found just the opposite to be true. It's incredibly ease to line up. Loosen the gear, tighten the motor bolts snug but with the motor still moveable. Slide the motor rearward keeping the bolts aligned. Once you got no backlash tighten the motor bolts and tighten the gear set screen. If kept the motor bolts aligned when you slide it forward the counter bearing will just fit right on and then tighten it's screws. Just did this last night and it took maybe five minutes.

[$teve]

Originally Posted by recurry

On the gear alignment, I've found just the opposite to be true.It's incredibly ease to line up.

I agree, as long as you don't let the motor twist as you tighten, the counter bearing block drops right on. At first it was a pain but after several pinion swaps on my 600SE and 6003D, it's cake. However with the bigger motor mount I'd recommend a ball hex driver as it's pretty tight getting to the bolts. The SE fly's awesome w/693s, a lot of hang time and I enjoy flying it over the 6003D w/623s that I haven't figured out yet. The 500SE I use to have one of the CF frames in was great w/603s, but w/560s way different.