Guys, I don't think a lot of USA located drivers will send their
instruments abroad since you have MoMa, but for European drivers who
have a need to have their instrument(s) repaired the following might be
helpful.
In 2002 I had my dashboard clocks restored by Speedograph Richfield of
the U.K. Cosmetically all looked all right with nice sealed screws and
labels stating the code of the mechanic and the date till which they
would guarantee their work. I put the clocks in a cupboard awaiting the
moment I needed them which was last week. Picking up the speedo I heard
a rattling sound: the little blue lens for the main beam warning light
had come loose so I opened the housing, breaking the seals on the
screws. I not only found the lens, but I also noted a few parts were
missing on the mechanism to reset the day trip counter (!), so today I
went to an old established instrument repair shop in Rotterdam to get
the missing parts. The clock was carefully looked at, and I was told it
needed a complete overhaul as the main bearing had gone: the (aluminum?)
wheel could be moved sideways and up-and-down. When I showed them the
guarantee label on the clock their comment was that it wasn't the first
time they had to repair instruments which were so-called 'overhauled' or
'restored' by this company.
I will be reporting this to the management of Speedograph Richfield, but
as it seems to be a kind of their standard to deliver such low quality
work I thought I better let you know as well. The proper restoration of
the speedo, including renewal of the bearing, glass bead blasting of the
interior of the housing and the metal ring plus repainting, and
calibration will cost me some US$ 155 - but at least I'll have a speedo
that works!
Jack Aeckerlin, The Netherlands
1964 BJ8 29432
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