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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: JPaganel on June 14, 2019, 11:53:31 AM

Title: Cluster lenses
Post by: JPaganel on June 14, 2019, 11:53:31 AM

Speedometer side of my dashboard has a crack partway through.

Is there a way to replace just the "glass" part? I really don't want to spend $100 on a complete dashboard just to use the cover. I could probably fish for someone selling a busted cluster for cheaper, but who knows how long that will take.

Title: Re: Cluster lenses
Post by: Martin on June 14, 2019, 06:07:40 PM

I replaced mine on one side, it can be done but patience is required. I used a 1/8" rotary pencil burr with a home made stand that turned it into a router. With the router attachment on I was able to set the depth so that it nearly but not quite cut all the way through. The cutting tool needs to be the coarsest you can get, fine teeth clog more. Set the cutting speed as slow as practicable, and spray copious amounts of WD40 onto the tool to stop plastic build up. You will still have to clean the tool frequently.

I would leave the centre part of the lens with the instrument lights and clock lens intact. Use a fence that the router attachment can run up against to cut straight lines. Once you have cut it right around it should break free with a couple of taps from a small wooden hammer handle. Clean up any dags with needle files or wet and dry. I did mine over a week so I didn't get impatient with it, I only tackled it when I felt like it.

A local plastic supply shop made me up two sets of lenses one a full lens with warning light markings and a left and right side separate. It was pretty cheap  $20.00 Au but I had them done about 5 years ago but only used them last year. Don't use silastic or silcone sealant to glue in the new lens they can cause surface cracking. I used a Selleys polyeurethane sealant called Flexiseal. The excess sealant was able to be wiped of with I believe a rag damped with Turps but read the instructions. I also practiced on cutting a bit on scrap plastic until  I was confident enough to tackle the job.
Regards Martin.

Instrument Glass Replacement..png (32.97 kB . 768x576 - viewed 375 times)

Title: Re: Cluster lenses
Post by: JPaganel on July 06, 2019, 06:34:27 PM

Wouldn't you know it, a cheap cluster came up on eBay. I ordered it for the princely sum of $35 and got it today.

Casing is in fairly good shape, lenses are perfect. Somebody really done a number on the guts - speedometer is just ripped to shreds.

Unexpected upside - the tach side is relatively unscathed and GPI LCD looks to be in good shape. No idea if it works, but it doesn't consist of nothing but floaters, like my original does. 

So, cluster rebuild coming up.

Title: Re: Cluster lenses
Post by: JPaganel on July 15, 2019, 02:38:34 AM

Well, this was halfway a success.

I now have no crack in the glass.

However, the replacement GPI LCD, despite being clear with no floaters, doesn't work. And the bulb that was out in the lower left corner is still out, despite putting in what I thought was a good one.

Title: Re: Cluster lenses
Post by: alabrew on July 16, 2019, 05:15:28 PM

"And the bulb that was out in the lower left corner is still out, despite putting in what I thought was a good one."

Same one giving me trouble on my "91 RS. Thought I got it working but is is off again and such a pain to take off the cluster with the fairing on, especially in the heat of summer here in The Great State of Albama. It's on the "To Do" list when the fairing is off.