The barebones economy model GS400X has the coolest looking of all GS gauges for the classic look I want. I've been looking for a set to swap onto my 77 GS750, as I will be glad to ditch the ugly stock big hunkin' plastic monster gauge housing for a more classy vintage look and slightly smaller gauges with less bulky appearance (and slight weight savings as well).
I snatched up the only set I could find at a killer deal, but they were in rough shape. The rusting and pitted chrome buffed out so-so (may buff more and clearcoat it to prevent any future rust starting again), but the faces are rough with fading and oxidation, so I uncrimped the back of the bezel rim to dismantle them. I may scan and photoshop a custom but authentic looking 130mph speedometer (reposition needle lower but keep same spacing, adding one more 10mph increment on both the low and high end), and remake the tach but with a 10,000rpm redline. I may try screen printed faces, but vinyl face decals will be easier. My other option is to trim 1/8" radius off of my slightly larger GS750 gauge faces to fit the smaller pods (use GS750 speedo mechanicals) & drill out the 750 tach face for the GS400X tach face indicator lights (half the reason I so badly wanted these gauges, the light tubes are built into the gauge pod base). I just won't have the lights' descriptive lettering that was on the original GS400X tach if I use the 750 faces - color coding for the jeweled lenses are pretty universal though - blue = high beam, amber= turn signals, green = neutral, red= low oil pressure. I may add a red oil pressure LED light if I can make it look like the original jeweled indicator lights.
Anyhow, I tried the fork trick to try to remove the needle, and even with PB Blaster, no luck. Maybe this is only for the later orange plastic needles? Anyone have any advice on removing them?
I snatched up the only set I could find at a killer deal, but they were in rough shape. The rusting and pitted chrome buffed out so-so (may buff more and clearcoat it to prevent any future rust starting again), but the faces are rough with fading and oxidation, so I uncrimped the back of the bezel rim to dismantle them. I may scan and photoshop a custom but authentic looking 130mph speedometer (reposition needle lower but keep same spacing, adding one more 10mph increment on both the low and high end), and remake the tach but with a 10,000rpm redline. I may try screen printed faces, but vinyl face decals will be easier. My other option is to trim 1/8" radius off of my slightly larger GS750 gauge faces to fit the smaller pods (use GS750 speedo mechanicals) & drill out the 750 tach face for the GS400X tach face indicator lights (half the reason I so badly wanted these gauges, the light tubes are built into the gauge pod base). I just won't have the lights' descriptive lettering that was on the original GS400X tach if I use the 750 faces - color coding for the jeweled lenses are pretty universal though - blue = high beam, amber= turn signals, green = neutral, red= low oil pressure. I may add a red oil pressure LED light if I can make it look like the original jeweled indicator lights.
Anyhow, I tried the fork trick to try to remove the needle, and even with PB Blaster, no luck. Maybe this is only for the later orange plastic needles? Anyone have any advice on removing them?
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