Z1-R Instrument Refurbish

Started pulling my clocks apart over the weekend - . Made a tool to open the clamping rings - see attached pic and after about 2 hours each had both clocks apart with little or no marks/damage to any bits. You need to be firm but consistent each time you go around each ring (10mm at a time) levering the ring away from the clock body so that it doesn't distort or bend/kink. Not so critical on a Z1-R, this ring is concealed under the fairing. Point to note is that the tripmeter reset knob is on a LH threaded shaft so don't bugger it by trying to pull it off - it's not a push fit! Both clocks are mechanically ok - just need to repaint the covers, clean glass and redo the red-line area of the tacho - have decal from ReproductionDecals.com. Have posted more on this already on Australian Kawasaki Sports Riders Club website. Have tried to put multiple pics here but nogo so will put on a couple at a time.

Some pics of instruments before and during stripdown

Pic of front of instruments

Hopefully correct pic this time - front of instruments:

weales wrote: ... Have posted more on this already on Australian Kawasaki Sports Riders Club website. Have tried to put multiple pics here but nogo so will put on a couple at a time.

Not sure where you posted the photos. I did some searches without any luck.
Is the site ksrc-au.com, kawariders.com.au, auskawasakiriders.com, or what? Thanks.

I bought some new face plates on Ebay. $22. It was worth it. Careful when prying off the needle. You have to get under the bhshing or you will break the needle.

Good thread and thanks for that. It seems as seats get recovered and bodywork resprayed the instruments often get neglected during restorations, for me the focal point on a bike.

I'm currently looking into putting an electronic tacho into old mechanical 550 clocks, so your info on disassembly is interesting. I've even read of home made crimpers used to reseal the cases.

I still don't understand how to get needle off of gauge???? without damage, need to show this.

Since my bike is not original and I'm not worried about stock gauges, I'm going to get a GPS speedo over the winter.

Every time I go over 120 mph, my speedo is messed up for the remainder of the ride, hopping and skipping around....prob fluid damper.

Haven't had a go at getting the needle off, but I've read that this is a firm push fit and something like a couple of teaspoons under the boss of the needle with even pressure upwards is the go. Need to protect the face of the clock so you don't mark/gouge it, also do this job inside somewhere as I've heard that the needle flies off once released! My apologies for not being more specific about where I posted more pics - Oz website is www.ksrc-au.com . Another pic of the disassembled clocks - one or two more to come before I get into the repaint and re-assembly

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One more pic of the tacho pulled apart

There is a brass bushing that holds the needle in place. I used my valve shim pry tool to get under the bushing. It's been on there for 40 years so it was ON THERE. Using the screws as a fulcrum point, I managed to pry it off switching one side to the other. Once off it was a piece of cake. No monkey stuff here. The guy I ordered from has plates for most vintage bikes. Much better than the stick on ones, real Kawasaki.
Steve

If anyone has anything on any tools that have been used/made to recrimp the ring after the refurb please post this. here. I was going to use a couple of pairs of smooth-jawed pliers (or modify 'em) but would be interested if someone has made a tool for this purpose.