Replacing Speedo/Tach needles

Anyone find replacement needles? Both of mine are broken on the XS. Thanks.

 

I talked to a buddy that does a lot of modeling. I have a few Ideas to rehab or replace the needles. I'll document what I do and post it up in case anyone else needs to do the same. That of course assumes one of my schemes works.

 

You should be able to cut appropriately shaped pieces of SOMETHING to glue on there. Whether it then CURLS UP in direct sun is another matter. I would use ABS (also available from the hobby shop) or aluminum rather than styrene. WEIGHT IS A CONSIDERATION.

There's an NOS XS400 speedo that keeps popping up on eBay for not too much money, and nobody has bid on it yet. It's been listed at least three times.

Let me know if you need the source for speedo needle paint.

 

I have my eye on a good used one but still need the needle for the tach. - My front runner is a cut down second hand form a clock set. Should be light enough.

I will need your paint source too I think..

 

You can fix it ... you just need to put your Precision Hat on.
Mask the face of the Speedo off with some Aluminum Foil followed by some Paper towel.
Get some 5-Minute Epoxy.
Epoxy a Tooth Pick to the underside of the fragment.
Just to the butt-end and hold it perfectly straight until the Epoxy cures and the Tooth Pick becomes part of the former indicator that broke-off.

Next.
Mix a SMALL amount of Epoxy and use another Tooth Pick to "Coat" the glued-on Toothpick.
Build-up a nice "Bead" of Epoxy from the break to the tip of the glued-on Tooth Pick.
Cover the repair with a coat that will built-up and form the new Speedo Needle.

While the repair bead is almost cured and still a little bit flexible ... nip-off the end with a pair of fingernail clippers to the correct length.
Leave it alone after using a Razor Blade to remove any Epoxy that starts to drip-off and fall on to the paper towel.
In other words ... clean-up and "Shape" the underside ... flat.

When it's done getting cured ... do a final shaping and "Roughing-up" of the surface with a brand new Emery Board. Your wife should have plenty.

Once you have finally shaped and lightly sanded the surface ... paint it.

get the paint from the "Testors" (Trademark Brand) Paint Rack at a Hobby Shop.
The matching Red is: "Italian Red"
An alternative Needle indicator color is: Florescent Yellow.

While you are at the Hobby Shop; pick-up a tiny paint brush (Artist type) to use putting-on the paint over the repair job.

Don't try to get the repaired Needle painted all in one sitting.
Apply a first coat.
Let completely dry.
Emery board out any "Pulls or wrinkles"
Apply second coat.
The second coat might do the trick.

If it needs a third coat ... wait for the second coat to dry.

New Speedo Needle Indicator.
Cost: 10 Bucks or so!

Change the Bulb colors to anything that is available with pre-colored bulbs.
Red, Blue and Orange are nice.

Take your time and do a nice job.
Wibe the Bulb Holders with a Q-Tip soaked in Armoral.

PS: A two-tone Indicator with the tip painted a different color than the needle body is trick.
Use some 3M Vinyl Masking tape to mash-off the Red Line area of the tach and add some color to the tach.

 

Hey thanks Rick that is a great idea -

I have a second hand glues up to one When I get it fixed up I'll post a pic I may still use your method in the end.