Soliciting thoughts about installing new overlays on the RD200 gauges.
- Anyone used Diablo Cycles faces?
- Opinions on how much 'originality' is taken when doing dress up like this - I have no interest in 'restoring' this bike.
- As of right now I can spot two non original things on this bike, if that helps guide opinions.
The taillight bracket is painted black and I don't see any US bikes that had that from the factory.
There are gators on the forks. They look good, and after peeking behind them they are hiding
tarnished/pitted stanchions so I don't intend to remove them.
These are my gauges:
(https://i.ibb.co/g98FvNM/CEC49708-2491-4-FE0-BD70-169-A9-B2-B578-C.jpg)
These are what Diablo offers. They do appear correct for my gauges:
(https://i.ibb.co/3pWvqHJ/B9-F82-FC0-2225-4-FF9-9419-589-C4-ABE71-AE.jpg)
If done carefully it shouldn't affect the value of the bike. No experience with the Diablo parts but they look pretty spot on. Your gauge faces would really benefit from the upgrade! They are pretty weather cracked.
I have been considering this project for one or two of my bikes and have been researching the process the past few weeks. There are some good videos on YouTube on how to do it properly with almost no signs of opening the gauges (and also some not so good videos with poor processes). Watching both is good because it illustrates how to do it correctly, and what to avoid. The key is to do it slowly and with patience, small bits at a time. A pair of spoons to pop the needles off (unless you have clockmaker tools on hand like Mark). Be sure to sand off the existing face printing from the opaque plastic face to prevent it from showing through when the new face is applied. Small dab of blue Loctite on the face screws. Carefully crimp the flanges back in place with wood or plastic protecting the gauge body and bezel.
And you are correct; no gaiters on US RD models, and the tail light bracket should be painted silver. Both are minor changes and easily changed back to stock with little effort or expense. Not a big deal, I'd just leave it as-is.
ive used diablo graphics, not gauge faces before though. always good quality.
suzukigt750idiot on Youtube (Peter Ormrod) does a gauge refurbishing video that covers a really good way to disassemble most UJM gauges.
Got these for my DT 125
Worked great
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255205857085 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/255205857085)
M