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Post by Jess on Mar 11, 2011 15:57:19 GMT -5
Pictured is an original hood on the left. Keep in mind is is almost 40 years old, so it has deteriorated some. On the right is the instrument hood that we have sold for years. The only complaint that I know of is that the color is not quite a match... The re-pop is a bit more blue... For most folks, the slight color issue has not been a problem, they were just happy that a replacement was available. However, there are always folks that attempt to restore as original as possible, they were a bit disappointed with the color. Attachments: |
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Post by Jess on Mar 11, 2011 16:10:08 GMT -5
Our supplies were getting limited in the last year, so I had to search for someone to produce some new ones... On the left is our old reproduction hood... (more blue) On the right is a new reproduction hood... Attachments:
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Post by Jess on Mar 11, 2011 16:19:52 GMT -5
New old stock left... New reproduction right... Attachments: |
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Post by Jess on Mar 11, 2011 16:22:40 GMT -5
Now... all three... NOS left New re-pop middle Old re-pop right Attachments |
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Post by Jess on Mar 11, 2011 16:31:31 GMT -5
Now that everyone is thoroughly confused... ;D
New re-pop hoods will cost $80.00
Old "more blue" will be $40.00 while the supply holds out...
I believe the color match is almost indistinguishable from original, as we spent months looking at samples and sending them to be analysed...
I also want to offer a caveat. There have been folks that have been selling NOS parts on flea-bay that are in fact my reproductions. If this intentional, I have no idea, nor am I making any comment.
An NOS hood just went for 375.00... I would be very wary about any NOS hood in the future as these are so close, I believe it will be very difficult to tell.
Just my 2 cents...
Best,
Jess
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Post by ziggystardust on Mar 12, 2011 7:33:11 GMT -5
This is a good new product from RR, I knew about the re manufactured covers from Sam's era but did not like the blue tint that made it obvious it was not original so I put up with my original slightly scratched one, when a decent original one came up on U.K. eBay I bought that, a lot more $ than Jess is charging.
I would have no hesitation in buying one of these new covers if I hadn't already bought one.
Z
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Tonny
2nd Gear
Posts: 124
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Post by Tonny on Mar 12, 2011 10:31:39 GMT -5
Now that everyone is thoroughly confused... ;D Best, Jess That is really great news, thank you Jess  I will by one next time I need parts from you. -Tonny  |
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Post by Jess on Mar 12, 2011 12:14:18 GMT -5
Tonny, Thanks for labeling and making the pics the right size... You are much smarter than I...  I stink at computers...  Best, |
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Post by kettle738 on Mar 27, 2011 2:22:04 GMT -5
I received one of the first batch of the new type repop instrument hoods yesterday from RR. I have a very crazed original and one of the 'blue' hoods to compare it to.
The old 'blue' hoods did the job but were obviously non original; the new reproduction is a vast improvement, certainly worthy of gracing any restoration and so close to the original as makes no difference, it looks 'right' and I would unhesitatingly reccommend them.
Given that a degree of discolouration is to be expected in an original I see these new repops as pretty much spot on and a credit to the manufacturer.
Mick..........kettle738
P.S. All we need now is an accurate replacement for the clear screen over the instruments; any suggestions?
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Tonny
2nd Gear
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Post by Tonny on Mar 27, 2011 7:36:16 GMT -5
Just for fun, but have any of you ever noticed the pictures in the 1974 "Suzuki Cycles Special Issue". There are 3 pictures showing two bikes, one with the green and one with a "blue" hood. -Tonny  |
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Post by wayne on Mar 27, 2011 19:38:49 GMT -5
Like Ziggy, I was the same. I couldn't live with my blue hood finally buying an NOS green one at high cost and then protecting it from the sun everywhere I went. Looking forward to the new hood. Thanks. For interest, Sam sent me this photo 10 years ago. They are all the factory pop up hoods as they went through development. Sam told me that Suzuki also did a blue hood which might fit with Tonny's pictue from the Suzuki magazine. Or this blue one could be Sam's own AM hood, I'm not sure. Wayne  |
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Post by wayne on Mar 27, 2011 19:43:40 GMT -5
Mick..........kettle738 P.S. All we need now is an accurate replacement for the clear screen over the instruments; any suggestions? Can I add my voice to this request........please...... While I have one instrument cover that's been in a jig to remove the old plastic and had a glass replacement, it's too far away from original for my liking. I'd love to see a replacement face, even if it wasn't curved like the original, I could live with that. Wayne |
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Post by Jess on Mar 28, 2011 17:05:57 GMT -5
Glass was originally spec'd for the Re5 M instrument cover. Suzuki made the decision to change to plastic due to DOT regulations/restrictions.
So actually, flat glass is probably the most correct.
Sam had a jig for cutting out the plastic and replacing it with glass, as he offered that as a service.
I have had many requests to do this service again, but I have not been able to find Sam's jig, nor have I had the time to build one. It is on my list of things to do...
Thanks to Tonny and Wayne for posting those photos of other colored flip up covers. I have some of all of the versions in the photo in stock, but don't bother to advertise them as most folks see the "only" color to be the light green.
I know that according to Sam, there were many variations, and there are many many things that are "correct" that are not uniform across production.
Best,
Jess
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Post by ziggystardust on Mar 30, 2011 14:04:34 GMT -5
I machined out the fogged plastic lens on a spare housing just to see if it was possible to fit a replacement. I clamped it to a milling machine table and using a long series slot drill milled out the lens were it was bonded to the cover. I then made a new lens from Perspex and fitted that using black silicon, it works but Perspex scratches too easily so would not recommend. Also a flat replacement only just missed the dials needles so it would be better to use some form of a curved lens if possible.  |
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Post by wayne on Mar 30, 2011 19:47:07 GMT -5
Your industriousness never fails to amaze Ziggy.
I"ve had a play with removing the original which simply convinced me that you cannot do it without the method that you employed (Sam told me categorically that you'd never get it out without the right machinery and tools).
Sam's replacement was flat glass but I'm not sure how he fitted it. It has some sort of surround. Perhaps the edgeing that he used lifts the glass slightly as the clearance between glass and needles doesn't seem an issue. I'll post a detail photo of the glass and edging when I get home this weekend.
For my current resto, the owner has just informed me that he's found an NOS instrument set. Problem solved for us, but this is an issue that needs a fix. While I'd love a mill, I have zero experience.
Wayne
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