darboots - 1961 CA77 from boxes

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Tue Jul 03, 2018 9:24 am

Yes - it was the AJS & Matchless owners' club area. About 8-10 other bikes there. Overall about 4-500 bikes on display.

G

darboots wrote:Cheers guys.

Love the Matchless Graham. Is that another hidden away behind yours?

The colour was chosen for me - the guy I'd bought the parts from had already had the powder coating done, along with the engine rebuilt (oil is leaking from the head gasket), and wheels re-rimmed, laced and the whitewalls fitted, etc. Some parts were missing, but overall, I'm very happy with my first restore. There are still a few details to complete, but it's mostly there and as we're moving house soon I'm glad it'll be on the road.

darboots · Post by **darboots** » Thu Apr 11, 2019 7:22 am

Well, it's been a while...

After the MOT (road worthiness test in the UK), I managed to take the bike along to one of our IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) meetings to show it to the other guys. When I got it home following the meeting, I noticed that the speedo was 'stuck' around 120mph, and the needle would not return.

I know I didn't achieve 120mph, so have had to remove the unit to find out what's going on. I was hoping for a sticky needle, but have found that the return spring has wound itself tightly around the needle spindle and snapped. This seems due to the magnetic drive cup being 'sticky'.

Is anyone able to recommend a reputable speedo repair company in the U.K.? Or, someone who is able to supply a new return spring? Maybe a suitable (read cheap) donor speedo that I can get a return spring from a lesser bike?

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 1:08 am

It's not too difficult to strip these down but you are going to have to look out for a spare speedo to get a spring.

Sounds like you must have it apart already. I think I may have a cosmetically damaged one soewhere.

Will you be at Stafford?

G

darboots wrote:Well, it's been a while...

After the MOT (road worthiness test in the UK), I managed to take the bike along to one of our IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) meetings to show it to the other guys. When I got it home following the meeting, I noticed that the speedo was 'stuck' around 120mph, and the needle would not return.

I know I didn't achieve 120mph, so have had to remove the unit to find out what's going on. I was hoping for a sticky needle, but have found that the return spring has wound itself tightly around the needle spindle and snapped. This seems due to the magnetic drive cup being 'sticky'.

Is anyone able to recommend a reputable speedo repair company in the U.K.? Or, someone who is able to supply a new return spring? Maybe a suitable (read cheap) donor speedo that I can get a return spring from a lesser bike?

darboots · Post by **darboots** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 1:52 am

G-Man wrote:It's not too difficult to strip these down but you are going to have to look out for a spare speedo to get a spring.

Sounds like you must have it apart already. I think I may have a cosmetically damaged one soewhere.

Will you be at Stafford?

G

Hi G,

I have the unt stripped to the frame inside - I need to open up the staked parts to have access to the needle spindle and magnetic cup. I can see the spring wound tighty around the boss just above the cup, and the cup seems to be very tightly bound to the drive cup - they don't move independantly very well. I imagine the spindle has tightened the spring into oblivion, which has eventually snapped it.

If you're interested in parting with your cosmetically challenged speedo, I'd be interested. Unfortunately I won't be at Stafford this time around - other 'duties' call.

Darren

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 1:36 pm

Hi Darren

I've had a full-on day today and forgot to look. Will look tomorrow.

G

darboots wrote:
G-Man wrote:It's not too difficult to strip these down but you are going to have to look out for a spare speedo to get a spring.

Sounds like you must have it apart already. I think I may have a cosmetically damaged one soewhere.

Will you be at Stafford?

G
Hi G,

I have the unt stripped to the frame inside - I need to open up the staked parts to have access to the needle spindle and magnetic cup. I can see the spring wound tighty around the boss just above the cup, and the cup seems to be very tightly bound to the drive cup - they don't move independantly very well. I imagine the spindle has tightened the spring into oblivion, which has eventually snapped it.

If you're interested in parting with your cosmetically challenged speedo, I'd be interested. Unfortunately I won't be at Stafford this time around - other 'duties' call.

Darren

darboots · Post by **darboots** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 2:12 pm

No problem at all Graham. I appreciate your time. I'm in no real rush.

Darren

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:31 pm

Hi Darren

Not the prettiest speedo in the world but works smoothly.

Click on this for video

G

darboots wrote:No problem at all Graham. I appreciate your time. I'm in no real rush.

Darren