Recommendation on Smiths Repair Station

Bonwit · Apr 21, 2011

Well, my speedo has finally given up and it's time to send it in. Looking in the latest issue of Norton News, I see an ad for a company in Arlington Heights, IL, USA that specializes in Smiths repair. A phone call revealed that $225 would buy a complete restoration, including a new case. Trouble is, my gage is cosmetically (almost) perfect. The guy explained that they would have to cut off the bezel, and that they usually have to replace the glass anyway, and besides, just a basic repair is $200 anyway. I want to keep my face plate because it's original and it matches the tach perfectly. Now I'm somewhat familiar with Palo Alto Instruments, and I assume they work on Smiths, but I like the idea of using a smaller shop if they do good work. Has anyone used Smiths Magnetic Instrument Repair in Illinois? If so, can you recommend them. Any other's I should check out?

Thanks!

DogT · Apr 21, 2011

The bezel will have to be cut off, no way around that. I'm sure someone will chime in here, I heard of someone on ebay I think that was doing them for a real reasonable price and the results were good. I'd do it myself, but it's up to you. They're not magic and the parts are available.

Dave
69S

jjeff441 · Apr 22, 2011

might give a call to Nisonger Instruments in Mamaroneck, NY. Let me know how they treat you, I have a set of clocks to send along as well. cheers

drp · Apr 22, 2011

There is a guy in Cincinnati Ohio that repairs speedo's and tac's. He does very good work and he is reasonable. His name os Jerry Bohman and his phone number is 513=367-6402.

Dave

Brithit · Apr 22, 2011

I've sent three clocks to Nisongers. One was a chrono tach, that they reversed direction on, and put on a new face. A bit of a reclamation project on a incorrect core. Both the speedo and tach on my '69 Trident were rebuilt there, with new faces. I've been 100% happy with both the work and the communication with them. Be prepared to wait a bit, I think they are a busy shop.

Unclviny · Apr 22, 2011

+1 for Nisongers, they do great work.

Vince

maylar · Apr 22, 2011

Nissonger has done both of my instruments over the last few years, the latest was my tach which I got back a few weeks ago. $170 US plus shipping. They come back like new.

If you're willing to pay an expiditing fee ($40 I think) they'll get it back in a few days. Otherwise it's 4-6 weeks.

drc

rvich · Apr 22, 2011

The guy on Ebay got high praise from somebody on this forum in a recent thread. Don't remember who, but here is one of his auctions:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-197 ... 2a0fddfa17

T.C. · Apr 22, 2011

I had Palo Alto Speedometer fix my tach a couple years ago - service wasn't exactly fast, but it was perfect when I got it back. Looked like it had never been opened and the needle is rock steady, not even a hint of a wobble. I think it was around $200 with shipping.

http://www.paspeedo.com/index.htm

Tim_S · Apr 22, 2011

Scott Thomas @ Smith's gauge repair in Arlington Heights, Illinois does an excellent job ! He has done three gauges for me and more often than not if your a club member he gives a discount and a fast turnaround.

Tim_S

bsaboss · Apr 22, 2011

I've had a number of speedos and tachos rebuilt by Bob (who lists on ebay) and the work was first class. The only limitation that I found was he doesn't have replacement faces available, so if your face is badly faded or marked you may be better sending it elsewhere. That said Bob does an amazing job restoring faded faces and may also be able to source new faces if asked. A past post also recommended www.joellevinecompany.com but I have no personal experience of them.

T95 · Apr 22, 2011

Grahm Blighe published a comprehensive booklet titled "Magneto Speedometer Repair". He covers repairs for both the tach and speedometer including bezel and glass replacement using basic tools. The link below is an advertisement for the book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoTkZGleYbM

lillygunny · Apr 22, 2011

Joel Levine in Atlanta refurbished my chronometrics. I believe this is all he does and repairs British automotive instruments as well. His turn around time was several weeks and I thought his fees were reasonable. He is really knowlegeable and loves to explain all about this stuff. Phone is 800 456 6267.
Ron

DogT · Apr 22, 2011

There's a book on repairing Smiths clocks on Lulu.com for around $20. Apparently they are really not that hard to work on if you want to do it. So far mine are working. I did replace the bezel on one of them tho, it worked out OK.

Dave
69S

Ron L · Apr 22, 2011

drp said:
There is a guy in Cincinnati Ohio that repairs speedo's and tac's. He does very good work and he is reasonable. His name os Jerry Bohman and his phone number is 513=367-6402.

Dave

Actually it is Mark Bohman. I've known Mark for years, and have never heard any complaints about his work.

maximini · Apr 22, 2011

I just had Joel Levine do some work for my '68 commando restoration and he did a fine job. The turn around time was excellent and his price was reasonable.

Bonwit · Apr 22, 2011

Thanks everyone for the advice. So I assume the going rate for a restoration is around $200, that everyone is satisfied with the work and that one variable might be the turnaround time.

tpeever · Apr 22, 2011

+1 on Palo Alto. First class repair. Not cheap.

maximini · Apr 23, 2011

I've also used Palo Alto and Nisongers in addition to Joel Levine. All did first class work.

T120R · Sep 29, 2013

my experience with Bob from Ebay

Sent two original Smiths gauges and 212 $ to Bob Carter of Portland Oregon (aprivatepeace@yahoo.com) over a year ago. My gauges are gone along with my cash. He claims they were restored/returned but refuses to provide proof of shipping. I estimate my total loss at over 700 dollars but more importantly, they were the originals off my Uncles’ 1965 Bonneville.

Recommendation on Smiths Repair Station

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