Replacing Gauge Faces…

[AAAltered]

As discussed a while back, my RD200 gauge faces look horrible.  Cracked, faded...

I finally ordered the Diablo replacements this morning. 

This afternoon I successfully got both the speedo and tach apart.  I used a Peter Anderson YouTube for tips.  I took apart my R5 clocks a long time ago but used a ham fist.  I wanted to do these the best I could.

I learned two main things.
- Use a large worm clamp to reduce the likelihood of distorting the top ring while prying the lip.
- Make a small jig from wood with thin nails to hold the face when it's time to glue on the new face.  (Not there yet...hopefully next week when faces arrive)

I'll update this post when I get everything back together...

[SoCal250]

[RDnuTZ]

nice tip on using the hose clamp. I recently came across the remains of a couple gauges I tried this on like 20 years ago and the rings were in bad shape. IIRC I also cracked the glass at the same time and gave up in frustration 

[AAAltered]

I broke a glass on an R5 gauge long ago and swore to find a better way.  YouTube....

[RDnuTZ]

back in the day I seem to remember people recommending using an ordinary bottle opener to peel back the rim of the rings. Don't think I had any success with that method either! 

[klaird]

I a use bottle/paint can opener for disassembling gauges. Use vice grips to crimp the rim, once you get the right clamping distance set its fairly easy.  Make second pass set the final crimp pressure.

[AAAltered]

Well, it took quite some time for the gauge faces to arrive from Diablo in Canada, but they are done.
1) Ihad to remove the jewels and bulb boots from the tach.  Then I sanded the old faces off the fiberglass substrate.  Note the jig I made to hold the faces and help align the overlay.  Got this technique from the YouTube I had followed earlier.


2) These are the Diablo bits.


3) Overlays successfully put on.  It's very touchy but I got them.


4) Gauges reassembled.



Here is a "before" for comparison...

[SoCal250]

Those look great Ed! Nice project write up too, should be helpful to those doing this task in the future.
Wish they made a face replacement for the RD125.

[m in sc]

yeah 100%. I've def messed that up before but that's a wayyyy better method, looks fantastic

[Striker1423]

When you did the faces did you also calibrate the gauge itself and do the damper fluid?

I am going to send the RD and GT gauges off to a fella in Georgia? I think. Have to look up who it was, but he explained the process and I'm convinced for my gauges.

My GT reads like 15mph too fast. I was wondering why I was being passed left right and sideways at 60mph lol.

[grcamna3]

I appreciate this information too. 

[AAAltered]

I did not recalibrate.  I did a little lubricant that's it.  Both are a little off I am sure but work well enough.

[2steve]

Those gauge needles passed the test of time in an amazing way.

The new faces are inspiring 

[Kawtriplefreak]

Beautiful work!!!