Gauge restoration

And some more tips for well...the tips.. of those Z650-750 needles. I use cellophane tape to mask-off the tips, other tape is too thick and will leave a ridge of paint behind. I use an initial cleaning of goop hand cleaner but any dishwashing solution would work of course. DON'T remove the left-over original paint, just want it clean. Then finish masking-off remaining sectors and spray in lite coats to build-up that color. I've favored the Krylon Fluorescent Glowing Red Orange for years but hard to find now, it's retro and expensive if you do find an old can of it. The superseded version, still available works too. Hopefully Richard is watching, info might be Helpful!      

The results of that white 10th register wheel whitening and needle tip painted. Register wheels arranged back to original miles and assy crimped back into it's bracket. 

Hi Clay, looking really nice👍👍

Speaking of nice, get those switchblocks assembled yet? I've been searching Hi/Lo for those Km/h faceplates to no avail. Might have to go with the "decals" as mentioned from diablo, yuck.

Hi Clay, switches back on the bike, looking great 😁 I will probably get a well used KMH gauge and use the plate from it.
Great photos and info regarding the rebuilding of gauges, these will help me doing my units. 
👍👍😁👍👍

Hi Clay, how are these gauges doing? Looking forward to seeing the finished units, and if they are anything like the switch blocks, I would say they will be great.
Who was the guy in NZ that you used to send parts to? was it Steve?
Rich.

Coming along but ran into a glitch concerning paint for the upper Black cans. I've used the Caliper Dupli-Color for years but seems every can of the stuff i buy now spits out air bubbles along with product. A hideous resolve, pinholes of air-entrapped bubbles everywhere. So.. I'd taken Crazy's advise and switched to Seymour Enamel Gloss Black..Works Perfect, like the old paint performed. Just have to still shove it in an oven right after application to allow the paint to "flow-out". Just can't get the old product anymore that's wort a crap. Thinking i'd bought 4 batteries from O'Reilly's and everyone has failed within 2yrs. Anyhoot i prefer to "Paint" my upper cans unlike Z-Resto that powdercoats because you lose that slight visual manufacturing crimp line shown in last picture. Using an old Z1/KZ900/1000 breather can as a stencil. Allows one to rotate and see what you're painting, ha.             

All this environmentally friendly crap is the same. The "Nitromors" paint stripper I've been using is rubbish compared to how it was 30 years ago

Totally agree, 👍👍

More progress, this is where it gets Health Department clean. Any bit of crap you don't clean will be contained underneath the lens forever. I have glass cut for the flat pedestrian styles but these these lens being convex are a whole different bird. Limited amount of options. I use a donor lower to re-install the "used original" crimp ring after polishing it. Both done and bagged for hygienic purposes.          

Update but this one won't be from me. I'm shipping the gauges out tomorrow to limitfish, let Him give you the rating. I can tout stuff all day but it doesn't mean crap what i say, end user opinion is what counts.

Hi Clay, all I can say is that if the gauges are as good as the handlebar switch gear, then they will be first class 👍
Rich.