The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: lfdelrio on May 15, 2010, 02:24:31 AM

Title: Cracked tach lens
Post by: lfdelrio on May 15, 2010, 02:24:31 AM

Hello,
I just bought my first bike (82 LS) that I've been working on over the last couple of months.  One of the last things that needs to be done on the bike is replacing the tach lens (which has 2 cracks).  I've called a couple of glass shops and they say they can cut me a piece of glass to fit at a reasonable price.  I wanted to know if there is an easy way to separate the glass from the bezel and put it back together again.

Thanks in advance,

Luis

Title: Re: Cracked tach lens
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on May 15, 2010, 02:57:28 AM

Mike V. has proven that they can be disassembled, I just don't know how he did it.

Mike took his apart to refinish the bezel rings.  The results can be seen here:
http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/gruntyman66/81%20R650%20Restoration/Electrics/

I'm sure he will chime in with some useful information.

Title: Re: Cracked tach lens
Post by: Mike V on May 15, 2010, 08:02:43 AM

Luis,
Very delicate operation. You can carefully pry the rings off with a very small sharp screwdriver or like tool working in small little bits and working yourself around the instrument. My advice would be to take it to an instrument shop and have them do it for you. I accomplished one of my instruments by hand and decided it wasn't worth the effort or the possibility of destruction.  Those rings are made of pretty delicate metal. The rings are press fitted and crimped. You can do it, get comfortable, be patient and be careful not to get greedy. You want to pry out the lip around the instrument housing. Start in one small area and work your way around in a circle. When you're ready to replace it, insert it around the glass and on the instrument. Hold it upside down (face down) on a clean towel or shop rag with a little pressure and press the lip of the ring back towards the case in reverse fassion. It's kind of like peeling grapes.  Good luck

Here's a link i found that I used as a guide, it may help with some photos and directions...

http://users.telenet.be/tups/speedo.htm

Title: Re: Cracked tach lens
Post by: lfdelrio on May 18, 2010, 12:02:43 PM

Thanks for the info Rob and Mike, I think I'll just seal the crack with clear silicone for the summer and send it to a speedometer shop in the fall.

Luis