just got hold of an hitachi trk 8080 for 7 pounds off a carboot.trouble is the deck is dead.my question is how easy are the belts to change on these?i dont want to take the back off and find i cant manage it thats all!!!!!

I have the 8180 and it was one of the first boxes I worked on. Deck wise it was reasonable easy to replace the belts as i can not recall any difficulties.

cheers docs mate,thats given me the confidence to go in it-you wouldnt happen to have a couple of screws that hold the deck door perspex on and a hitachi battery cover to fit the 8080 would you mate?i can pay for the parts and shipping if you do-im just keen to get this baby working fully again-its a great looking box,and unusually for a hitachi its great sounding too!this must have been one of the better ones.....whats your 8180 like?ive heard its similar in looks to mine but cant say i remember it that well.