1972 Vintage Akai CR-81D 8-Track Player Recorder Tape Deck > PARTS or REPAIR !

Description

Since 1990, I have enjoyed collecting and restoring antique radios and vintage audio.... all items I list will be exactly as described and packed extra well to ensure a safe delivery.. buy with confidence !
Ask any and all questions BEFORE buying!
This unit is strictly FOR PARTS or REPAIR! DO NOT BUY unless you understand this is a committed purchase, as there will be NO Order Cancellations or Returns for ANY reason!
For sale is a vintage Akai CR-81D 8-Track Player / Recorder, that should make a great project !  I've collected, and restored vintage audio for over 30 years, but simply don't have time to get to all of my projects.  I had hoped to restore this to enjoy, but must let it go to someone else who can make good use of it.
Only minimal testing has been done, and I may have missed something.  Buyer should expect to do their own testing, diagnosis and repairs !  Unit does power On and all the displays light up.  When inserting a tape, I hear some low-level output from the Left channel only, NO output from the Right channel.  The original capstan belt works but has stretched to about 16" from the 14.7" spec... probably time for a new one.  Will obviously need some audio and mechanical repairs, and like any vintage piece it's often hard to diagnose everything at once.. usually have to repair a few things to be able to test others.  Pressing the Program Selector button does not change programs (1-4)... only makes the display lights flicker a little.  While all the buttons/switches and controls seem to work physically, they may not work functionally (yet).  Upon visual inspection, the Erase and Play/Record heads do show some striations of surface corrosion on the steel... not sure how much the signal bands are affected ?  Heads might produce pretty decent sound once the unit is repaired, but they could need replacing... no way to judge by visual inspection, and a taking a picture with a flash is not best way to get a representative image.
The unit is complete with all knobs and buttons, etc. and is in excellent cosmetic shape (compare to some other "parts units" on eBay).  Has 2 small areas where the vinyl veneer has chipped off.  One very small piece is chipped off the top, right, back corner, and there's a short strip missing from the left, lower back edge (see pics).  Up to buyer, but if I were restoring unit, I'd use an Exacto knife to harvest a tiny triangle-shaped piece of the veneer from the lower end of the back left strip, where it's already missing some veneer, and glue/splice that piece into the top right back corner that can be seen from a top view... and simply leave the back left edge alone, since it's rarely seen...easy!  The inside of unit is very clean... no rust or corrosion.  The faceplate and all lettering is in great shape !
Hope someone will enjoy restoring this CR-81D, to enjoy.  If wanted, I can send a .pdf copy of the Service Manual and a 2-page Flyer, after purchase.
Shipping won't be cheap since unit weighs almost 18 lbs, unpacked! And will require a sturdy box or 2, with plenty of good bracing and cushioning.  I know how to pack fragile audio items, RIGHT!  Will be packed very well to ensure a safe delivery!
This unit is strictly FOR PARTS or REPAIR! DO NOT BUY unless you understand this is a committed purchase, as there will be NO Order Cancellations or Returns for ANY reason!
Ask any and all questions BEFORE buying!
After buyer has left positive feedback to acknowledge everything OK, I will immediately return the favor.