Removing the needles on a set of 'Clocks'

[rustybronco]

Since there has been a bit of discussion lately on how to 'safely' remove the needles from a speedometer or tachometer, this is my version on how to remove the indicators using a set of home made 'clock' hand removers.

how to make...

each lever is made from a 6" long piece of 3/16" stock with one end curved and polished. grinding or filing a flat taper on one side of each lever should work just as well. mine were already made for a specific purpose, you can make yours to suit your needs.

how to use...

the curved end on each lever is placed under the needle, curved side away from you and resting the bar on a screw. press down evenly on both levers at the same time and with a wee bit of pressure applied, the needle will pop right off.

***NOTE*** My gauges have an internal needle stop. removing and replacing the pointer is a simple matter of noting the resting position of the pointer and replacing it in the same spot. if yours has an external needle stop, you will need to lift the pointer over the stop and note where the pointer rests before removing the pointer.

[7981GS]

Thanks for sharing the tip.
I have an old GS speedo gauge that would be nice to bring back to life.
(They don't take kindly to exceeding 140 BTW )
As I just resently aquired a set of gauges to who knows what with a broken lens,
I just might give this a try.
After all both sets are broken.
How much more could I break them?


Daniel

[TheCafeKid]

Must've been broken already Daniel I know you've built up a GS or two there but I've a hard time seeing any one of em doing 140+.

Good write up Dale, I had a devil of a time getting them off before. Now I wish I could figure out how many times the spring needs to be wound back to make them accurate after removing the needles. The trial and error method sucks.

I wish this worked for the later gauges as well, as I have a set or two of those that need some work, but those needles don't seem to want be removed without being destroyed.

[7981GS]

Whatever you choose to believe.
Perhaps you missed the articles about the Yoshi 1000's?
How about 10% larger? You are correct, it would go slower.

Daniel

[TheCafeKid]

Whatever you choose to believe.
Perhaps you missed the articles about the Yoshi 1000's?
How about 10% larger? You are correct, it would go slower.

Daniel

I'm not saying they, with a ridiculous amount of money and work poured into them CAN'T do >140mph, just that there are more constraints besides displacement that prevent them from doing it. I've tried I had my GS1100ES to a stock speedo indicated 130mph and it just wouldnt do any more. Wasn't rung out, just had nothing left. Of course it wasn't quite stock, but also didn't have a lot done to it either. And, I can say that 140+ on that suspension and frame, even with new springs and shocks, was more than a bit puckering. I'm not sure why you'd want to spend much time there anyway.

And whether or not it actually WAS going that fast I have no idea, that's what the speedo said however I think it was a bit optimistic. It could be it was out of breath, wind resistance, gearing, or my not small self beIng on top of it or all of the above...

[7981GS]

Here's one example:



I only weighed in at about 165 back then. The suspension was/is not stock.
Not a crazy amount of money spent just a passion to make it work.
Not that crazy any more myself either.
Yet the needle hit the post at a fast enough velocity to snap the tip right off.
That is the needle laying on 40-60 marks. A combination of the screw coming loose couldn't have helped.



Perhaps I should replace the face with this one?



The speedo probably still works. I just never thought that it could be repaired. Its worth a shot!

[TheCafeKid]

Here's one example:



I only weighed in at about 165 back then. The suspension was/is not stock.
Not a crazy amount of money spent just a passion to make it work.
Not that crazy any more myself either.
Yet the needle hit the post at a fast enough velocity to snap the tip right off.
That is the needle laying on 40-60 marks. A combination of the screw coming loose couldn't have helped.



Perhaps I should replace the face with this one?



The speedo probably still works. I just never thought that it could be repaired. Its worth a shot!

Now that's just damn funny right there. I need one of those!
One of these days, when you're feeling "frisky" c'mon out my way, we'll rude down to Kentucky's "Mountain Raceway" (Really called the Mountain Parkway) where if you're not doing 95 you'll get run over by a state trooper. It's a long, not exactly straigh but very very open and fast stretch of road that seemingly has no speed enforcement. (I think the limit is 65-70 but seriously we had a Statie blow by us like we were standing still when doing well well over the limit. I thought we were all busted but he just drove by like he was out for a cruise). Stupid? You bet! But it was damn fun.

[7981GS]

Hopefully, if I ever get it done, the Cooley project with the 1197cc 4-valve '83 1100E engine and suspension mods should have no problem at all cruising.

[Nessism]

I seriously doubt a GS speedometer or tach can not be broken by over travel. The needle is not geared for direct actuation, rather a magnetic dome and wheel mechanism cause the needle to move. If the needle is physically stopped, the magnet just slips so to speak so there are no parts to break.

The odometer on the other hand IS direct acting, so even if the needle on the gauge doesn't move, the odometer will continue to rack up miles.

[chuck hahn]

I have never EXCEEDED 140..but i have had the Cooley just above 130 and she was at about her limits..jst wasnt gonna get much faster.I would say it was around 132ish.

[Nessism]

Back to Dale's comment about paying attention to the needle position when the pin is not acting as a stop...

If the spring pressure on the needle is low, the speedo will read high since the magnetic force will not have as much force working against it.

If Daniel's speedo spring is providing low force, I could imagine you could see in excess of 140 mph indicated.

[hampshirehog]

I have never EXCEEDED 140..but i have had the Cooley just above 130 and she was at about her limits..jst wasnt gonna get much faster.I would say it was around 132ish.

Just pottering around then eh Chuck...?

For popping the needle off I use a dining fork. Sometimes they need a pull as well.

I've never worked out how those needles break either.