VPI Classic 3 IDLE drive

here is the link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rHTgroMrj0

Also, look at VPI's website and check the pictures out.
The pulley is way bigger than what I have on my classic and it should be a representation of the IDLE drive.
Pulley is in contact with the platter that has grooves on the side, while mine doesn't.

When I called VPI they told me that the device shown there wasn't available at the moment, but then I came across this video by accident.

The Classic 3 can be used without SDS even with the small pulley(although I have speed regulator) and the pulley is designed just like in the Classic 1 to deliver proper 33 1/3 and 45 RPM.

One thing aside: I have changed oil a couple of days ago and I used super lube (same stuff used by VPI).
It runs much slower.
At first I noticed its speed was wobbling then followed the advice to boil the belt and wobbling was gone, but speed was still significantly low (measure with precision KAB strobe).
To give an idea, frequency on SDS had to increase from 60.04Hz to 62.08Hz.
With this setting I get proper speed regulation.

I have also noticed that when stylus rests on vinyl, belt is off and motor is on, I notice low frequency buzz on my speaker (phono has no subsonic filter no cuts whatsoever).

If I press on the top of the pulley buzz lowers significantly.
Mike told me that the shaft might be loosen and reccomended to take pulley off and under that there should be another screw that needs to be tightend and a drop of oil needs to be put in.
I tried to remove pulley by removing the 3 hex screws on the side and trying to pull, but it won't come off.
Any hint on that?

It is Not touching the platter.

Stefanoo, it's the standard pulley that VPI makes for use without the SDS. The small top is used for 33 RPM and the larger circumference is where you place the belt for 45 RPM. It's definitely not touching the platter and its nothing new. VPI has made them for several years.

Stefanoo,

First off, VPI changed the pulley design a while ago. I saw a Classic I at my dealer's with the wider pulley last year. But it's still just a pulley, not a different drive. The new pulley also has a wider clearance at the bottom to allow easier lubrication of the motor.

Now, your description of changing the oil left me puzzled. What precisely did you do? Super Lube is for lubricating the platter bearing, not the motor. For the motor, you're supposed to use a 40 weight motor oil, not a grease which Super Lube is.

As far as the motor pulley, once you loosen or remove the hex screws, the pulley should easily come off. It's possible that it has some resistance due to the very close tolerances, but it should come off with a pull. However, it is critical that you balance the screws when you put the pulley back on as any imbalance will cause the pulley to wobble, which will affect the speed stability as well. This is the reason why I recommend using a syringe to lubricate the motor rather than mess with the motor assembly.

Lastly, if you used Super Lube to lubricate the platter shaft, I used essentially an identical product, which also caused significant slowing down of the platter. I think Super Lube is too thick, and I don't quite understand VPI's selection of the lubricant that causes the platter to slow down significantly after application. A Classic owner without the SDS would likely experience a serious problem with the speed if he used Super Lube. What I did was to remove the grease, and then make a paste with the grease and a high viscosity motor oil (I asked guys at my local Jiffy Lube to pour a bit of the highest viscosity oil they had in a cup for me). I then mixed the grease and the oil with a plastic knife and applied the mixture to the shaft. It worked perfectly.

The small pulley is for the 600 RPM motor. The larger pulley is for the 300 RPM motor. At least that's how it worked out on the Scout/Scoutmaster/Aries motor assemblies. You can clearly see the black nitrile belt in the video you linked. An idler drive has no need for a belt connecting it to the platter. The pulley is not touching the platter.