Topic: Rebuilding/repainting gauges on a '78

[drumstyx]

I got a complete decal kit, and upon seeing the 'caution required service at 600mi' or whatever it is, decal, I thought "I should reset the odometer!".

So off I went, prying open the gauges, and I realized the black part could really do for some refinishing. And then of course the troublesome fact that now I have this 'chrome' ring that will never really look perfect again.

Couple questions:

1. I'm not sure if the '78 is different from earlier models, but I can't seem to separate the inner teal coloured metal from the outer black metal in order to remove the glass. It looks like there's punch marks or spot welds on the inside of the teal ring....am I missing something?
Got this one, punch marks are obviously there to keep it snug, but it's just a slight press fit. Onto the repainting and rebuilding.

2. I could have *sworn* I saw those metal crimp rings for sale somewhere. Where are they?

3. What finish was the speedo/tach originally? Semi gloss? Matte?

[kerryb]

Funny you should ask...I just took a couple apart to make one good one.  There's no welds, but the is a rubber seal/separator at the lower edge the tends to stick them together.  I bent and sharpened a small screwdriver into a mini paint-can-opener type tool to pry the ring back with minimal distortion.

You bring up a good point about finish I painted mine gloss black   I'll decide tomorrow if it looks right.

[drumstyx]

I just used a flat screwdriver as is. It's not terrible, but it's not fantastic. I bet you'd have to look very close to tell the difference, but I'm putting this work in, I'd love to get new rings if I could.

Mine are actually in fair condition, no dents, but they have a couple surface rust spots, hence the repaint. Judging from what's there,and how the rings look on the inside, I'm thinking matte-semigloss black. It's less shiny than my semigloss powdercoated frame I think.

With such a small part though, I guess I can give it a couple tries before deciding.

[iFart]

I had the thought of new faces when I was younger and started working on my bike.

I popped the bands off with a small precision screwdriver and worked my way around. I was able to put it back together and put the ugliest looking area on the bottom end of the gauge so you can't really see it and slowly went back around it with pliers around some cloth to re-crimp it.

I didn't end up replacing the faces, just touched up the black casing and cleaned everything with rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth. I figured new popping faces would look off as I'm keeping the tank with it's factory paint and I kinda like the nostalgic faded look.

You'll find kits on eBay and I also looked at www.cb750faces.com ; you can find your model and see what things looked like back in the day.

Looks like the crimp rings run $30 for a pair.

[drumstyx]

I had the thought of new faces when I was younger and started working on my bike.

I popped the bands off with a small precision screwdriver and worked my way around. I was able to put it back together and put the ugliest looking area on the bottom end of the gauge so you can't really see it and slowly went back around it with pliers around some cloth to re-crimp it.

I didn't end up replacing the faces, just touched up the black casing and cleaned everything with rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth. I figured new popping faces would look off as I'm keeping the tank with it's factory paint and I kinda like the nostalgic faded look.

You'll find kits on eBay and I also looked at www.cb750faces.com ; you can find your model and see what things looked like back in the day.

Looks like the crimp rings run $30 for a pair.

Hot damn, I could buy a restored set of gauges for $440USD LOL

Ok, so I'll save my money and stick with reusing these rings I think. They'll live. Looks like the black parts are semigloss though, good to know! I've got my neighbour, who's an airplane painter, doing my paint, so I'll get a 2k paint job no problem, just like that site advertises.

I do so wish I had a good reason to get the restored set though *drool*

[kerryb]

Gloss black didn't look right, so I repainted with low-gloss black and it looks real close to stock.  2 hours later and I had parts of two speedo's recombined to make one good one.  The needle has to be pried up very square to the shaft or the shaft breaks off in the bearing! (voice of experience)   don't miss the two washers on the inside end of the trip odometer shaft, they stick to the case.

Tedious...very tedious.

[drumstyx]

Fortunately I don't have to replace the face or needles at all. They're in remarkably good shape. It's all in very good shape really, I was just wanting to reset the odometer, and then figured I might as well repaint the outer face.

However, I noticed this morning that the black ring on the tach has a big ol' dent, and it's hardly worth pounding out at the risk of not making it perfect.

Starting to think I'll just pop the speedo back together and deal with it. It's not all that noticeable -- the chrome on the back plate has rusty road rash that's far more noticeable, so I'll plan to replace those chrome bits first...gauges I can always pick up a spare set without dents later.

[iFart]

Lol the prices of new also persuaded me. Just another reason to pick up another project, right?