Smith's Magnetics Repair

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RoadScholar

RoadScholar

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Does anyone know if Smith's Magnetics Repair in Arlington Heights, IL is open, closed because of Corona or still in business? Both Scott's and the shop phone go to VM and the e-mail for Scott bounces.

Best.
 
Update & Information

My reason for the initial post was that I was worried that the 4 clocks I sent Scott may have vanished. The tracking said that they were delivered "at or near a mailbox". I couldn't reach Scott so I called the Post Office that made the delivery and asked that they retrieve the package and send it back to me, they said they would and that they would call me in any event; they never did, even after speaking with them over several days.

A member, Franko, of this forum PMed me and gave me the name of a business that was close by and related. I called them and the owner said he knew Scott and would call him and get back to me, but said he thought that Scott had retired. The bottom line is that I got my clocks back from Scott with a note saying that he had retired.

Wanting to get my clocks restored I searched the forum and made several contacts:

1) Smith's Magnetics, Scott Thomas, retired
2) Mark Bowman, booked out 3 months
3) Bob's, family business, no waiting, but $600/ea. to restore!!!
4) I found a Canadian company, but don't want to send these out of the country yet.
5) Nisonger's, piss poor attitude, I did use them once and the instruments bounced, called them, and of course I had "other" problems. BS

At this point it is too late to take chances on turn-around time. The two for my Norton build both work so I'll use them and get them done next winter. The two for my '70 TR6R can wait as well.

Anyone have any other leads? I will call any/all and, at least, archive the data.

Best.
 
Your concerns about shipping out of the country are warranted.
Still waiting on a package from Canada sent Apr. 29.
Finally cleared customs May 10. No record since.
I have requested a search.
The package is a Full Dunstall exhaust....
 
I have heard stories, but Joel Levine near Atlanta rebuilt over 50 meters for me, always with perfect results.
 
grandpaul said:
I have heard stories, but Joel Levine near Atlanta rebuilt over 50 meters for me, always with perfect results.
Click to expand...
I've used Joel as well, many years ago. If he's still in business he must be an old fart now like the rest of us.
 
I use Palm Aalto Speedometer. Nor cheap, not fast, but fantastic work. I own a vintage BMW too, that‘s all that crowd uses.
 
Slammin said:
I use Palm Aalto Speedometer. Nor cheap, not fast, but fantastic work. I own a vintage BMW too, that‘s all that crowd uses.
Click to expand...
I believe that is Palo Alto Speedometer (California).
 
Smith's Magnetics Repair
 
grandpaul said:
I have heard stories, but Joel Levine near Atlanta rebuilt over 50 meters for me, always with perfect results.
Click to expand...
maylar said:
I've used Joel as well, many years ago. If he's still in business he must be an old fart now like the rest of us.
Click to expand...

Joel is very much in business; I called him yesterday and spoke at some length, he sure knows what makes Smith's magnetics tick down to model numbers and all the innards.

Turn-around time is about a week, pricing seems fair and my confidence level is high.

Thanks guys!

Best
 
I wasn't aware of Joel.
With a statement like this....

Complete Machine Shop

We can manufacture any part for any gauge from any manufacturer or country. Special parts and special gauges can be made to order

He must have a vast amount of knowledge.
 
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The guy reminds me of Woody Allen, and he can TALK YOUR EARS OFF!

No question his knowledge of meters is as extensive as they get. I toured his old shop twice, never been to the new place (I say "new", but it's probably been 10 years since he moved)

He has the tiniest lathe I have ever seen, unbelievably cool stuff...
 
elefantrider said:
I ship mine across the country to Mark Bohman.
He is usually quicker than his quoted leadtime.
Click to expand...

I spoke with Mark, sounded like he knew his stuff. He told me that they were backed up 3 months; we didn't get to pricing. I waited too long and bet on Scott at Smith's Magnetics. I was about ready to wait until the season was over until I called Joel Levine.

I should be all set now, thanks.

Best.
 
I will repeat a bad story I had dealing with Levine some years ago . I have been riding British bikes for 50 years now and Levine is the only one that purposely cheated me. I sent a speedo to be rebuilt , it was returned quickly but read 20+ mph too high. I called him to politely request a return to fix the problem. He proceeded to curse me and refuse to make it right at any level. I absorbed the loss and sent it to Nisonger who rebuilt it correctly and has been on the bike operatingly since then. I would say buyer beware with him!
 
I had s similar encounter with him 10 years ago. What a "d--k"!. But then I could tell a hair raising story about me being cheated by
Forking By Frank about 10 years ago when I was sent new fork tubes I ordered for a Triumph 250 and received tubes for
for a 500. I'll never forget the arrogance. I sent them back and he refused any refund. I'm thinking that sometimes quality
craftspersons just don't have very good public relations skills and won't acknowledge making a mistake. Of course the real
"Frank" had died a few years earlier and was bought out by the new owner. Frank's widow was the one who took my order.
When I bought new fork tubes for my Norton I went to Andover Norton. Water over the dam. Onward.
 
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