Bezel rings, to freshen up old gauges Options

[timothy_nd28]

I've taken on a project for Mark where I'm repairing a tachometer and upgrading it to a hologram heads up display for his 2 cylinder motorcycle. Well, perhaps not heads up display on this one, but maybe on the next tach he sends me!

During the repairs, I cracked the chrome bezel ring. I think the Veglia rev counter company didn't do a proper annealing process when making these rings, as they are very easy to crack. To my amazement, there are suppliers online that will sell you replacement bezels. After ordering this replacement bezel, I got to talking with the person selling these and asked if he's willing to sell bezel rings for our 914 gauges. He seems very interested, I'm sure he can sell them as original black or chrome plated.

The bigger question would be, is there any interest in this? If it was sold in kit form, with new glass lenses?

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

Hartmut at Palo Alto sells them, and he is out there for your west coast guys

I've taken on a project for Mark where I'm repairing a tachometer and upgrading it to a hologram heads up display for his 2 cylinder motorcycle. Well, perhaps not heads up display on this one, but maybe on the next tach he sends me!

During the repairs, I cracked the chrome bezel ring. I think the Veglia rev counter company didn't do a proper annealing process when making these rings, as they are very easy to crack. To my amazement, there are suppliers online that will sell you replacement bezels. After ordering this replacement bezel, I got to talking with the person selling these and asked if he's willing to sell bezel rings for our 914 gauges. He seems very interested, I'm sure he can sell them as original black or chrome plated.

The bigger question would be, is there any interest in this? If it was sold in kit form, with new glass lenses?

[ValcoOscar]

Long overdue.....

Got my attention. Yes from me.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Oscar

[timothy_nd28]

Hartmut at Palo Alto sells them, and he is out there for your west coast guys

I've taken on a project for Mark where I'm repairing a tachometer and upgrading it to a hologram heads up display for his 2 cylinder motorcycle. Well, perhaps not heads up display on this one, but maybe on the next tach he sends me!

During the repairs, I cracked the chrome bezel ring. I think the Veglia rev counter company didn't do a proper annealing process when making these rings, as they are very easy to crack. To my amazement, there are suppliers online that will sell you replacement bezels. After ordering this replacement bezel, I got to talking with the person selling these and asked if he's willing to sell bezel rings for our 914 gauges. He seems very interested, I'm sure he can sell them as original black or chrome plated.

The bigger question would be, is there any interest in this? If it was sold in kit form, with new glass lenses?

Got the runaround with that company years ago, they told me that they just reuse the old bezel and they had nothing new to sell me

[jfort]

[quote name='dr914@autoatlanta.com' date='Mar 20 2019, 10:29 AM' post='2698421']
Hartmut at Palo Alto sells them, and he is out there for your west coast guys


Hartmut is a good resource for us and has always done good work for me. I'd support him if you can.

[mepstein]

I had a very difficult time with palo alto with a set of ‘64 & 65 gauges. Cost was no object but apparently service was. When you add up time and cost to restore the old pieces, this is a great deal. Plus supporting “our 914 gauge guy””.

* What Timmothy didn’t mention is before I even sent him my gauge I told him that they always break upon removal. He said he would be careful but my expectation was a replacement would be needed. I’ve always been 100% satisfied with his work.

[914Sixer]

Tim,
Check Ebay, I saw some stuff. Try looking under VDO rings. May have to try Ebay.de (Germany)

[n2j2ryan]

I got a set out of the guy from Poland on the 914 Facebook page. Very happy with the fit and finish.

[Superhawk996]

Interested. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

Someone painted my inside bezels and I intend to rebuild

[iankarr]

Thanks Tim.

What about the machne to crimp/remove? are those findable/rentable?

[echocanyons]

Plus one for Palo Alto Speedo, Hartmut is great and knows his stuff and the prices are realistic.

Depending on which year your gauge is I would switch to the early large bezel and a glass face.

[bobboinski]

I have also had good results with Palo Alto Speedometer, both with motorcycles and cars. As always your results may vary.....

[timothy_nd28]

Thanks Tim.

What about the machne to crimp/remove? are those findable/rentable?

They are out there, but I think most machines are somewhat custom made for each gauge shop. I kinda like the simplicity of this machine


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvg_ewF8W9Q

[Superhawk996]

For those of you that have a lathe, same thing can be done in a large lathe chuck.

My lathe is too small to handle speedo / tach. I've had luck in the past with motorcycle gauges by carefully bending with a larger jewelers screwdriver about 100 times around the bezel periphery.

@bbrock may have a slick solution. I think he mentioned that he had swapped plastic lenses for glass and I'm sure he didn't have a pretty machine like this. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[bbrock]

For those of you that have a lathe, same thing can be done in a large lathe chuck.

My lathe is too small to handle speedo / tach. I've had luck in the past with motorcycle gauges by carefully bending with a larger jewelers screwdriver about 100 times around the bezel periphery.

@bbrock may have a slick solution. I think he mentioned that he had swapped plastic lenses for glass and I'm sure he didn't have a pretty machine like this. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I bought the Bezel-Matic-3000 on ebay for $500 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Of course I didn't use fancy tools but nothing ingenious. I used the same solution as you - small screw driver and patience. Once I got a little bit lifted I then dragged the screw driver under the lip as much as I could in small segments at a time to roll the lip out smoothly. Done carefully, you'll barely be able to see you were in there and that will be only from the back. It doesn't even take that much time. Maybe 10-15 minutes per bezel. Lots of people have done it.

[mepstein]

I’m guessing the issue for Timmothy is besides the 15 minutes per ring is the couple week turnaround to have them powdercoated. Easier to have a supply of new ones sitting on the bench.

[76-914]

You don't need to open them up 360 degrees. Usually a little more than 50% and it should lift off. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Timothy is the man! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[bbrock]

I’m guessing the issue for Timmothy is besides the 15 minutes per ring is the couple week turnaround to have them powdercoated. Easier to have a supply of new ones sitting on the bench.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) for sure! I was just responding to the suggestion I might have figured out a fancy way for us DIYers to get inside those gauges. No way would I use that method in any sort of production environment.

[mepstein]

I’m guessing the issue for Timmothy is besides the 15 minutes per ring is the couple week turnaround to have them powdercoated. Easier to have a supply of new ones sitting on the bench.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) for sure! I was just responding to the suggestion I might have figured out a fancy way for us DIYers to get inside those gauges. No way would I use that method in any sort of production environment.

Trust me. I’m in awe of your work and progress.

[timothy_nd28]

I have seen work done by both North Hollywood and Palo Alto gauge restoration companies when doing my LED upgrades, both do awesome work equally.

This kit is geared more toward the DIY types on this forum. If this India company can reproduce the dual piece bezel system, accurately, that includes glass lenses and all for under 50 bucks, I can't think of a quicker or cheaper way to enhance the focal point of our interior.