8
80GS850GBob
Guest
I posted one of the links in the old "gauge faces" thread, but I'll repost/restart here;
1) the origonal thread was for a company that no longer does that service
2) it's a long thread, so this one will be easier to read thru...unless it gets to be a mile long too}
So, some folks here are or may still want to reface their gauge/meter faces- I happen to have 2 places that can accomplish this for you so I'm paying back to the forum by posting them- I have no part of either place, I'm just passing the info along to those who'd be interested.
*Option 1 / OEM look gauges-
Theres nothing better, to some folks, like having your cycle gone thru to look like she did the 1st day she saw light out of the crate, but after all the paint, chrome, and everything else on the frame is done- you hop on for a ride and spy the untouched and faded gauges and sigh...well, not any more!
"Diablo cycles" can take any given meter face and make a decal that goes over it to make it look new. For the sake of those who are unfamiliar- there are basicly two types of gauges- back lit {transparent numbering}and side lit {opaque paint throughout}. This place says it can reproduce either.
To explain the process here so you understand what it'll take to to do this up front- one carefully takes apart their gauges, sands off the old faded face/numbers, and once done, applies the new decal to the face. Reassemble everything and your done. There are a few things that are needed along the way to do it right - I'm just currently describing the very basic application and not the whole process....at least not yet.
I have a set of '83 GS550L meter faces {tach/speedo/gas} that will be getting the OEM look treatment - I will also send, for their added research/ability, my '80 GS850G tach, speedo{85mph} and gas faces since they're already apart and maybe my later model 140mph speedo and tach {sans gas read out on it} too. The problem with that last set is I don't know the exact year/model that it's off of - for their reference {or mine}.
*Now for option 2...."totally wild looking gauges"-
Some of us here have, or will have, custom cycles...so a stock looking gauge face simply won't do...and I get that{so do some you}. With this vendor you can have just that, a one off gauge face that's all yours. Pin up, custom color oem, or totally radical. The basic process is the same -removal of the oem colors on the face and replacement of a custom decal- so that's the same, it's just anything you can come up with...anything - X rated as well. "Speed gauge customs" can offer you whatever you want. He said he's done a few Suzi gauge faces but gave no exact list. This place also offers an LED back light option for choice of back lighting colors - even different needle pointer color if it's possible with your gauge....GS Suzis don't readily offer that capability, but it could be done, possibly, with some tweeking.
So, these two sources are active and available.....Roughly $50 ea gauge {I think} for SGC and $25 pr for DC...not bad either way.
I plan on the Diablo route, but might tinker with the other version too if I can ever nail down just what exactly I'd want{chuckle}.
My concerns for either are-
-how long until they fade
-how well do they stay put
-if using a full transparent face, how will it look being lit up...oem lights aren't really set up to light everything well from behind.
{edit} -you will note a lack of Suzi GS gauge faces on Diablo- I hope to hel pthem fix that as little as I can with what I have - time might aid in other years.models being available as more are actually done there.
Well, there you have it- viable gauge face options. Hope this helps.
Links-
http://www.speedgaugecustoms.com/
http://www.diablocycle.com/-Gauge-Restoration-Decals/
1) the origonal thread was for a company that no longer does that service
2) it's a long thread, so this one will be easier to read thru...unless it gets to be a mile long too}
So, some folks here are or may still want to reface their gauge/meter faces- I happen to have 2 places that can accomplish this for you so I'm paying back to the forum by posting them- I have no part of either place, I'm just passing the info along to those who'd be interested.
*Option 1 / OEM look gauges-
Theres nothing better, to some folks, like having your cycle gone thru to look like she did the 1st day she saw light out of the crate, but after all the paint, chrome, and everything else on the frame is done- you hop on for a ride and spy the untouched and faded gauges and sigh...well, not any more!
"Diablo cycles" can take any given meter face and make a decal that goes over it to make it look new. For the sake of those who are unfamiliar- there are basicly two types of gauges- back lit {transparent numbering}and side lit {opaque paint throughout}. This place says it can reproduce either.
To explain the process here so you understand what it'll take to to do this up front- one carefully takes apart their gauges, sands off the old faded face/numbers, and once done, applies the new decal to the face. Reassemble everything and your done. There are a few things that are needed along the way to do it right - I'm just currently describing the very basic application and not the whole process....at least not yet.
I have a set of '83 GS550L meter faces {tach/speedo/gas} that will be getting the OEM look treatment - I will also send, for their added research/ability, my '80 GS850G tach, speedo{85mph} and gas faces since they're already apart and maybe my later model 140mph speedo and tach {sans gas read out on it} too. The problem with that last set is I don't know the exact year/model that it's off of - for their reference {or mine}.
*Now for option 2...."totally wild looking gauges"-
Some of us here have, or will have, custom cycles...so a stock looking gauge face simply won't do...and I get that{so do some you}. With this vendor you can have just that, a one off gauge face that's all yours. Pin up, custom color oem, or totally radical. The basic process is the same -removal of the oem colors on the face and replacement of a custom decal- so that's the same, it's just anything you can come up with...anything - X rated as well. "Speed gauge customs" can offer you whatever you want. He said he's done a few Suzi gauge faces but gave no exact list. This place also offers an LED back light option for choice of back lighting colors - even different needle pointer color if it's possible with your gauge....GS Suzis don't readily offer that capability, but it could be done, possibly, with some tweeking.
So, these two sources are active and available.....Roughly $50 ea gauge {I think} for SGC and $25 pr for DC...not bad either way.
I plan on the Diablo route, but might tinker with the other version too if I can ever nail down just what exactly I'd want{chuckle}.
My concerns for either are-
-how long until they fade
-how well do they stay put
-if using a full transparent face, how will it look being lit up...oem lights aren't really set up to light everything well from behind.
{edit} -you will note a lack of Suzi GS gauge faces on Diablo- I hope to hel pthem fix that as little as I can with what I have - time might aid in other years.models being available as more are actually done there.
Well, there you have it- viable gauge face options. Hope this helps.
Links-
http://www.speedgaugecustoms.com/
http://www.diablocycle.com/-Gauge-Restoration-Decals/
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