A
Anonymous
Guest
While this specifically deals with the restoration of a gauge pod from a 1981 GS1100EX after looking at some other parts diagrams it may work for other bikes as well, you're on your own to determine that.
The case of my instruments was badly weather beaten and the acrylic lenses were yellowed and spider cracked, so I took them apart, a simple operation. The gauge faces themselves were in pretty good shape except for the red tip of the dial indicator, a quick fix with some red model paint. The cases themselves were resprayed with a product called Semcoat. They sell a plastic cleaner and prep spray that you use first to get all the old waxes etc. off prior to the color coat, it also preps the plastic for adhesion, spray it on then rinse off with water and wipe dry. The color coat itself is their Satin Black. I am very familiar with this product and it wears and looks great. It can be purchased through most upholstery shops and auto body supply shops for about $15 CDN or $.01US. :lol: An alternative product is called Marhyde though I don't have much experience with it.
I replaced the lenses with 2mm (.080") flat glass, which of course is very clear and scratch resistant. Do not use 3mm (.125") or the gaskets won't sit right. Any good glass shop should be able to cut and grind the glass to shape, it shouldn't take a good glassman more than 1 hour to do this, it took my buddy less than 45 min. You will notice that the original lenses are convex where they sit in the case, don't worry it's flat where the gaskets sit. Put back together and enjoy!
From Suzuki the cheapest price I found was about $135 USD and this was only for the top case and lense, you can't buy them separately. I will have pictures I hope, as soon as I get a camera and figure out what I'm doing. Hope there's some people who can use this info.
The case of my instruments was badly weather beaten and the acrylic lenses were yellowed and spider cracked, so I took them apart, a simple operation. The gauge faces themselves were in pretty good shape except for the red tip of the dial indicator, a quick fix with some red model paint. The cases themselves were resprayed with a product called Semcoat. They sell a plastic cleaner and prep spray that you use first to get all the old waxes etc. off prior to the color coat, it also preps the plastic for adhesion, spray it on then rinse off with water and wipe dry. The color coat itself is their Satin Black. I am very familiar with this product and it wears and looks great. It can be purchased through most upholstery shops and auto body supply shops for about $15 CDN or $.01US. :lol: An alternative product is called Marhyde though I don't have much experience with it.
I replaced the lenses with 2mm (.080") flat glass, which of course is very clear and scratch resistant. Do not use 3mm (.125") or the gaskets won't sit right. Any good glass shop should be able to cut and grind the glass to shape, it shouldn't take a good glassman more than 1 hour to do this, it took my buddy less than 45 min. You will notice that the original lenses are convex where they sit in the case, don't worry it's flat where the gaskets sit. Put back together and enjoy!
From Suzuki the cheapest price I found was about $135 USD and this was only for the top case and lense, you can't buy them separately. I will have pictures I hope, as soon as I get a camera and figure out what I'm doing. Hope there's some people who can use this info.
