Parts to rebuild Smiths gauges

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I just enjoy working on stuff. My clocks are ready to be crimped back together once I figure out how I'm going to do it. I'm not going to mess with calibration, they work. Like I said, before I just used channel locks and a soft board on the face. Shoot, I even replaced the 'crystal' on my Rolex watch last year. The tool to take the back off cost me $20 and the Acrylic face cost me maybe $10. Looks like new except it's 60+ years old and the dial face is starting to stain. Still keeps good time. Dad bought it for me in Hong Kong when I was a teen.
 

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That watch doesn't have a 'crystal' face, only acrylic is available. Even the Rolex part is acrylic. At least what I could find, I did find the Rolex part and it too was acrylic. I've had maybe 3-4 faces on that watch and they all scratch up easy.
 
I can totally buy into the DIY ethic, not just for the satisfaction of a job well done (assuming!!), but also from the money saving aspect...
Yes, those few craft/tradesmen supporting our bikes deserve support, but for some of us there are financial considerations too...
As an aside: Many (34) years ago I took a 'piggy back' starter solenoid to my local auto electrician as it refused to pass current. Manufacturer only offered 'exchange' for the whole unit with starter motor, and being early diesel every ancillary was beefed up and price hiked accordingly.
Watching this guy chasing the end off with a hammer and small chisel (construction was as per circular ignition coil) and then flattening it back down in ever decreasing circles is something that has stuck with me to this day. When he handed it back you'd never know it had been disturbed.
Even more impressive was the £200+ I'd saved paying for half hour of his time and two internal contacts :)
 
There are times when you pay and are glad. It's happened to me a couple times. Once was when I had the starter off an old IH small tractor, took it into the local IH dealer and wanted a new one. Well, they took it back into the shop and 15 minutes later they had new bushings in it, it worked great, $20. Can't get much better than that.
 
I recently had my Tachometer take the shits and ordered a rebuilt one from Bobby Carter in Portland Oregon.
He can rebuild any Magnetic Smith's Gauge from 1964 to 1976 to be as good as new. His is very reasonable and has a quick turn around. He will trade work for gauges if you have any laying around or purchase them outright, even if they have been damaged he would still be interested for the right price.

Bobby's number is 971-998-3530, give him a call he will get you taken care of, no need to be a DIY and mess around to getting it right.

This is the work detailed on the rebuilds... The internal parts of this gauge have been removed, completely renovated and calibrated to meet the specifications of a newly remanufactured gauge. The rebuild of this Smiths gauge included the following: The can (case) was professionally powdercoated to Concours quality standards. The can does not have a single ding, dent or damage. Then the inside of the can was painted with white epoxy paint (the only paint that will not peel, turn to dust) for many, many years. Then the blue, light enhancing, paint was sprayed on the one section of the inside the EXACT same way and in exactly the same shade as Smiths did it when this gauge was built. This gives a softer shine to the light rather than just harsh white light. The correct shade of bright white was added to the needle’s arms. Then a NEW bezel, glass, upper and lower rubber glass sealing seals, new stainless steel chassis screws (will never rust or tarnish), the internal and external shock absorbing rubber biscuit mounts and the stainless steel nuts and washers (for the mounting of this gauge to the stock NORTON barrel bracket) were added. This NORTON gauge is ready to JUST BOLT ON AND GO...

Paul
 

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