Flatspot
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- Joined
- Jan 30, 2020
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- 1,290

We all know just how %&*£ing awkward it is to get at the non-working Commando horn, but I decided it was a job that needed doing, and while I was at it change my oil hoses to herringbone ones.
I‘ve got it off and bench-tested it and it will not work. It is no more, it’s an ex-horn and not really any use as a paperweight. However, I’ve seen those YouTube videos of people who know what they’re doing taking dead things apart and bringing them back to life. so how difficult can it be?
Let’s have a look inside, and if I destroy it there’s nothing lost. First of all I drilled out, ground down and knocked through the 6 rivets holding it all together. It is well and truly corroded inside and date stamped 1973 when put together by someone in Lucas. 50 years old, it’s not fared too badly.
I wire brushed off all the crap, sanded down the points inside, and then reassembled it, holding it together with a g-clamp. When I added some volts it helped back at me loud and clear. Partial success then!
I then reassembled it fully, reusing the 2 paper gaskets (cheapskate moi) and a dab of 3bond to keep the moisture out. I was able to use some very small nuts, bolts and washers from a “well that’ll be useful let me buy it“ pack of assorted fasteners that have previously been absolutely no use at all. They were a bit long but easily sorted with the Dremel.
I tried it once more now it’s fully back together and it works, and extremely loud it is too!
No one will ever see it again, but I’ve slapped a splosh of primer on it, and I’ll add some gloss black once that’s dried.
That‘s saved me some money, and I’m feeling dead chuffed that it works once more
I‘ve got it off and bench-tested it and it will not work. It is no more, it’s an ex-horn and not really any use as a paperweight. However, I’ve seen those YouTube videos of people who know what they’re doing taking dead things apart and bringing them back to life. so how difficult can it be?
Let’s have a look inside, and if I destroy it there’s nothing lost. First of all I drilled out, ground down and knocked through the 6 rivets holding it all together. It is well and truly corroded inside and date stamped 1973 when put together by someone in Lucas. 50 years old, it’s not fared too badly.
I wire brushed off all the crap, sanded down the points inside, and then reassembled it, holding it together with a g-clamp. When I added some volts it helped back at me loud and clear. Partial success then!
I then reassembled it fully, reusing the 2 paper gaskets (cheapskate moi) and a dab of 3bond to keep the moisture out. I was able to use some very small nuts, bolts and washers from a “well that’ll be useful let me buy it“ pack of assorted fasteners that have previously been absolutely no use at all. They were a bit long but easily sorted with the Dremel.
I tried it once more now it’s fully back together and it works, and extremely loud it is too!
No one will ever see it again, but I’ve slapped a splosh of primer on it, and I’ll add some gloss black once that’s dried.
That‘s saved me some money, and I’m feeling dead chuffed that it works once more