Cleaning Speedo and Tach lenses

Has anyone been successful in disassembling and reassembling the tach and speedo for access to the backside of the lens? Mine has some water spots/goo on the backside that really hinders visibility. Looks like the speedo and tach are band crimped together.

Any ideas vs buying replacements?

KZ650B circa '77.

Thanks,
-Paul

Here's some info that should help. If you decide to do this yourself remember - time and patience is your friend - don't rush. Ed

www.wgcarbs.com/index.php/using-joomla/e...ories/90-gauge-clean

Here's a place that con do the gauges for you. Ed

zresto.com/

Perfect information! Thanks!

I figured it might be as easy as prying the ring back. I'm excited to get her road worthy, but patience must be had.

I waiting for some parts to come including a tach cable, if the tach doesn't work then I'll send it out. $95 isn't bad to have a gauge refurbished!

DIY option from earlier thread ---

duncan wrote:
i've taken the tach apart but not the speedo. it's real easy if you use a dremel to cut the chrome ring, and then some jweld and hose clamp to cement it back together.

apeman wrote:
The old article suggests removing the band around the gauges by levering it up from the underside. I have found that results in too much damage to the band to make it look good after it is put back on, and crimped down. Therefore, I instead took a dremel with a cut-off wheel to the band, and sliced through it, being carefull not to damage the gauge cover. Then I slipped off the band, and did my gauge clean-up. To reinstall, I assembled the cover onto the gauge, slipped the band on, and held it tightly in place with a rubber band. Then I placed a drop of JBweld epoxy onto the gap in the band, and let it dry. (Make sure you mount the gap in the band at an location that will not be readily visible when the gauge is remounted onto the bike.) That has been working well for over a year.

Good Fortune!

Certainly an easier way there. I've just never had luck with epoxy, specially something in tension.

It might be that the ring will retain its shape & fits somewhat snugly around the meter, so the JBWeld probably works as has been reported... or whatever epoxy you prefer. Permatex Liquid Metal is what I've used for doing a repair or two.

Alternatively, Z1Enterprises.com sells chrome gauge covers that have clamp rings. I think they're for the early KZs.

Patton wrote: DIY option from earlier thread ---

duncan wrote:
i've taken the tach apart but not the speedo. it's real easy if you use a dremel to cut the chrome ring, and then some jweld and hose clamp to cement it back together.

apeman wrote:
The old article suggests removing the band around the gauges by levering it up from the underside. I have found that results in too much damage to the band to make it look good after it is put back on, and crimped down. Therefore, I instead took a dremel with a cut-off wheel to the band, and sliced through it, being carefull not to damage the gauge cover. Then I slipped off the band, and did my gauge clean-up. To reinstall, I assembled the cover onto the gauge, slipped the band on, and held it tightly in place with a rubber band. Then I placed a drop of JBweld epoxy onto the gap in the band, and let it dry. (Make sure you mount the gap in the band at an location that will not be readily visible when the gauge is remounted onto the bike.) That has been working well for over a year.

Good Fortune!

I've done this several years ago using JB Weld or PC7 and a hose clamp - let cure for 24 hours. Like apeman said re install so that the small gap in the band is in a location like 4, 5 or 6 o clock.
Works well.

My band doesn't have the up dimples like the tech article showed. I cut the edge with a dremel cutoff wheel, and with a sharp box knife cut the band on the face sides. Made for a smaller kurf. Cleaned the lenses and covers now I'm letting them dry. Have to pick up a good epoxy to finish the job. Looks SO much better. I'll post some pictures here soon.

Twilightoptics wrote: Has anyone been successful in disassembling and reassembling the tach and speedo for access to the backside of the lens? Mine has some water spots/goo on the backside that really hinders visibility. Looks like the speedo and tach are band crimped together.

I wish the lenses were "screw off" so you could clean them. About 20 years ago a little spider went in my speedo and strung a web that caught the speedo needle at about 50 mph and it was stuck at that position for about 6 months. Eventually, the needle came free but the remnants of the web is still there.