dudlington
I thought I would share this TOP TIP . While doing some resto work on one of my bikes I noticed the fixing studs on both instruments were starting to spin. I got the nuts off finally by pushing them over to one side while undoing the nut. Both studs then fell into the instrument. I am sure I am not the only one who has come up to this problem. However what to do to fit them back. Luckily to get the studs out of the lamp hole is not such a big problem (Photo 1 shows them on top by the 2 holes). Then photo 2 shows me attaching a piece of string to the first stud. Then create a small hook on a piece of wire(photo 3). Put the stud in the instrument and hook the string with the wire (photo 4). Once you have the stud hold and remove the string/tape. Then you are going to need an M8 and a M5 washer , 3 M5 standard nuts , plus some red loctite (Photo 5). In this order fit over the stud the M8 , M5 washer plus one M5 nut and spin as far as you can to the bottom. Then fit the other 2 M5 nuts to lock the stud as hard as you can. Then you can now hold the second nut while you tighten up the lower nut(photo 6). Put a small drop of loctite on the lower nut while you are tightening and make sure the M8 washer centralizes itself around the small collar sticking up from the back of the instrument. If the stud starts to spin while you are tightening the lower nut then simply tighten up the lock nuts again but even harder. The torque to lock the locking nuts needs to be higher than your final torque to fix the lower nut. After the lower nut is torqued up you can remove the 2 locking nuts (photo 7). I suggest you do both set of instruments as the studs will only loosen with age (photo 8). Now when fitting the part to the instrument bezel you normally have a metal collar inside of the rubber part. I did not use this collar anymore and simply fitted the rubber part over the nut. There is a difference in length but I don,t think it will make much difference. When fitted on the bike the repair is invisible. Certainly cheaper than a new set of instruments or sending then away to a specialist to repair them............cost nearly nothing and about 30 minutes for both instruments (Less time than to write this TOP TIP). I hope this comes in handy for someone.
Maybe we should have a specific section for TOP TIPS ............. ??????.
dudlington
Revision to TOP TIP
Just checked my installation and was not happy that the original suggestion of not using the normal collar would be good enough for assembly into the plastic housing. It seems a better idea for the solution to add another nut on top of the lower nut. Firstly the distance of the spacer (8.8mm) and the combined distance of 2 nuts plus the M5 washer gives 8.4mm so only compressing the rubber slighly more. Also it will further lock the stud in place as the small drop of loctite was not really enough. Both lock nuts are now locked mechanically and with red loctite for added security. The rubber collar easily goes over both nuts , I am sure this repair will outlive the instruments. From the Veglia factory this was a very fragile solution relying on friction.
