soft roll casters 5"x1.5" in a tilite zr

[totoL1]

Hello, my name Is Antonio and I am from Spain, that`s because my english is not very good.
Well, I`m writing here because I saw here a photo with a tilite zr with casters 1.5" and tilite haven`t got forks for put that casters, well, I`m going to order a tilite and I would like if some of you can help me with that question.

Thanks.

[SCI_OTR]

I was the first CC member to modify my ZR to use 4x1.5" FrogLegs aluminum soft roll casters. It requires forks from the Top End Crossfire or Crossfire TA6 (available for $52 per pair from Sportaid) and the caster stem stud needs to be backed out of the frame slightly to provide enough length to secure the locknut on the threads. I will be doing this conversion on a new ZRc I have coming in for a veteran in a few weeks and will post pics of the process.

[totoL1]

Thank you for your answer, I want to put in my tilite zr a frogLeg aluminum soft roll 5" X 1.5" and I like that forks from the Top End Crossfire or Crossfire TA6, the blue distance that I write in your photo, are the same in the two forks?
If they are the same, can you give me the address where can I by it?

I don`t understand this: and the caster stem stud needs to be backed out of the frame slightly to provide enough length to secure the locknut on the threads.

Where are you going to post pics of the process?, here?

Thanks for all.


http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=tZmOZXq3YHw

[totoL1]

I`ve got another question.
Do you know the angle that Tilite ZR gives to the footrest when is not adjustable.
I`ve got it in my Quickie GTX with a 15º.

[Oddity]

Do you know if this modification has any warranty implications? I have a friend who is interested in having me do this for him but he doesn't want to void his warranty. It's a new chair and he can't work on it by himself realistically.

I was the first CC member to modify my ZR to use 4x1.5" FrogLegs aluminum soft roll casters. It requires forks from the Top End Crossfire or Crossfire TA6 (available for $52 per pair from Sportaid) and the caster stem stud needs to be backed out of the frame slightly to provide enough length to secure the locknut on the threads. I will be doing this conversion on a new ZRc I have coming in for a veteran in a few weeks and will post pics of the process.

[stephen212]

Do you know if this modification has any warranty implications? I have a friend who is interested in having me do this for him but he doesn't want to void his warranty. It's a new chair and he can't work on it by himself realistically.

Per SCI_OTR's experience and instructions, I made this identical modificacation to my ZR last spring (I posted pictures in the original thread -- do a search). The part of the stem bolt that secures to the frame is threaded, so it has to be "unscrewed" (or "backed out," as SCI_OTR puts it) a little bit to accommodate the Top End forks. You can't see the threaded part of the stem bolt when you pull off the Ti forks so you might at first think that you have to pull it out -- that's a mistake that my bike tech made at first.

To your point: I suppose that if the stem bolt broke the warranty for that part would be void and TiLite would not be liable for any injury that might result. From my user's experience, however, the risk of damage is beyond remote. The stem bolt remains extremely secure; I've had no issues, it's required no maintenance whatsoever.

And one last point . . . The difference in the sweep of the caster -- the Top End fork will result in the casters positioned a smidgen closer to the rear of the chair -- is also negligible. I suppose it changes the center of gravity, but I didn't feel the difference.

Hope this puts some minds at ease. It's a very worthwhile modification IMO.

[totoL1]

But you put the same stem bolt that you have in the tilite, or you put a stem bolt of a crosfire T6.

[stephen212]

But you put the same stem bolt that you have in the tilite, or you put a stem bolt of a crosfire T6.

Use the original Ti stem bolt. It's just unscrewed a 1/4" or so.

[totoL1]

Use the original Ti stem bolt. It's just unscrewed a 1/4" or so.

O.k
Can you tell me the name in english of that thing I show you with my finger in the photo?

It`s because I`m going to order a pair of forks of a crosfire t6 and that thing that I show you in the photo.
Here in Spain we`ve got distributors of tilite and frogLegs, but Invacare don`t sell here the crosfire top end T6 and it`s parts either, and I have to by this things in USA in Sportaid.

If you would be so kind put the words that I have to order to Sportaid here, and I`ll copy it and I put the same in the order.

Thanks.

[stephen212]

Download the Invacare Crossfire Parts Book.

On page 4 of this PDF you will find the part numbers for the items you need.

The part you're pointing to is item #1139775 -- Front Caster Mounting Hardware. This includes the caster bolt and spacers.

Assuming that they ship internationally (a safe assumption), you can order these parts directly from Invacare.

[totoL1]

But in Invacare maybe it will be more expensive, because the wheelchairs are more sheap in Sportaid, I ask them first.

O.K thanks for all and have a good 2009.

[Oddity]

Digging deeper, Stephen, I think there may be a snag. I agree the chance of failure is very remote. However, reading the Tilite warranty it's pretty clear that unless Tilite gave writtern permission to modify the chair doing so voids the warranty. From Section C.2.d

C. Limits and Exlcusions
[...]
2. This warranty is VOID if TiLite, in its sole discretion, determines that:
[...]
d. the wheelchair has been modified without TiLite’s express written consent, including, but not limited to, modification through the use of unauthorized parts or attachments.

The moral of the story: Put the Tilite parts back on if you have to send the chair in for a warranty claim, for whatever reason. And, perhaps, refrain from posting pictures of your mod on the web, eta: if the warranty is of any concern to you.

Per SCI_OTR's experience and instructions, I made this identical modificacation to my ZR last spring (I posted pictures in the original thread -- do a search). The part of the stem bolt that secures to the frame is threaded, so it has to be "unscrewed" (or "backed out," as SCI_OTR puts it) a little bit to accommodate the Top End forks. You can't see the threaded part of the stem bolt when you pull off the Ti forks so you might at first think that you have to pull it out -- that's a mistake that my bike tech made at first.

To your point: I suppose that if the stem bolt broke the warranty for that part would be void and TiLite would not be liable for any injury that might result. From my user's experience, however, the risk of damage is beyond remote. The stem bolt remains extremely secure; I've had no issues, it's required no maintenance whatsoever.

And one last point . . . The difference in the sweep of the caster -- the Top End fork will result in the casters positioned a smidgen closer to the rear of the chair -- is also negligible. I suppose it changes the center of gravity, but I didn't feel the difference.

Hope this puts some minds at ease. It's a very worthwhile modification IMO.

[SCI_OTR]

I'm not sure Top End or Invacare will sell direct. With the introduction of the TA6, the forks are now available in different colors.


The TiLite caster axles would also be too narrow for the wider forks, so you should get wider axles and new spacers for proper fit. Top End uses hex head bolts for axles and their own spacers on the Crossfire and Crossfire TA6. The folks at FrogLegs have a "wide axle kit", however, which I use on my ZRc. I don't have a specific part number, but they sent me a kit for free after I showed them my chair at Medtrade a couple of years ago. It looks a little cleaner and the fit is perfect. When I fully tighten the screws, the casters spin freely without any binding.

[SCI_OTR]

Digging deeper, Stephen, I think there may be a snag. I agree the chance of failure is very remote. However, reading the Tilite warranty it's pretty clear that unless Tilite gave writtern permission to modify the chair doing so voids the warranty. From Section C.2.d

The moral of the story: Put the Tilite parts back on if you have to send the chair in for a warranty claim, for whatever reason. And, perhaps, refrain from posting pictures of your mod on the web.

I should also give the disclaimer that I can not guarantee it would work in all possible configurations. The main reason I say this is I noticed that there are spacers which are used to extend the fork stem in the parts manual for the ZR. I've never seen them on a new chair, and I suspect they are available to raise the front STF height on an existing chair. I do not know this for certain, however, hence my disclaimer.

In addition to my posts on CC, I have been trying to persuade TiLite to widen their forks for some time, so several of their managers/engineers have seen my chair. They haven't expressed any concern about my mod, but they could definitely void my warranty if they chose to do so. Of course they could also "technically" void it because I've modified my back upholstery, installed another manufacturer's wheel locks, and clamped on my own custom push handles.

[EddieG11]

according to the latest Tilite "Eye on Ti" email 1.5" wide casters are available on all chairs now. You can also order Frog Legs "Unitine" forks for Tilites now at sportaid.