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Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 5:02 pm
by ajs350
I am having my 79 Gauges restored by Pistol Pete and he has asked me whether I want the new face on the volt meter to say "Volt" or "Volts". My old one said "Volts" but Pete tells me that for a 79 it should say "Volt". Can you guys confirm? Thanks. Ross
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:33 pm
by spencer
Mine is an early '79, built in April of '78, it is original, and it says Volts with an S.
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:20 pm
by tevan
I have 5 79's and a 80 they all say VOLTS. Some others will get on here that knows about this maybe. I read something about this before.
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 7:27 am
by ajs350
Thanks for checking. "Volts" it is. Ross
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 2:44 pm
by NobleHops
Ross, one other thing you might be interested to know: Last I saw, Pistol Pete's gauge faces said "Pistol Pete" where they should say "Nippon Seiki" (or something like that). I would not like to learn that after the fact personally, but you should be aware I think, unless he's dropped that practice.
N.
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 4:55 pm
by daves79x
Nils:
You are correct about the 'Pistol Pete' logo, or at least that was as of last Fall. On my gauges, however, you have to shine a flashlight down under the inner trim rubber to even see it. If it did show, that might be more of a problem. Anyone concerned might ask that question before deciding. I'd also treat any of these restored gauges the same way you'd treat NOS ones - keep out of the direct sun as much as possible. I'll eventually get a chance to ride this restoration some miles and I'll certainly report any issues with the gauges.
Dave
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:50 am
by ajs350
Gauges are done. Here's the before and after pictures. Pete also repainted the frame which makes the whole cluster look brand new.

Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:47 am
by Larry Zimmer
Those look great! Might be my next Winter project. Thanks for the views.
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:51 am
by EMS
Very, very nice! Now we have to find somebody who will redo the letters on the idiot lights!
As far as the Volt vs Volts question is concerned, all my 1979 pods say Volts. Here is a picture of an original cluster 1980, Marysville bike. It says Volt.

Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 2:31 pm
by NobleHops
Early Japanese-built '80 model here, clearly says "VOLTS" as original:
Interestingly, I had my gauges refurbished by Tim's with the decals he uses, and notice that his decals were reproduced with VOLT.

Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:20 pm
by EMS
The same or similar Voltmeter was used on a couple of different models. It is possible, that Tim's used one of these as a pattern for their repro faces.
I just checked my 81 Prolink and it has a "Volts" instrument. There goes the theory, that from the U.S. build onward they were all "Volt".
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:12 am
by Larry Zimmer
Doing some work yesterday, I checked the meter of my '82 prolink. It reads 'VOLT'. No s. My 'guess' would be that Honda, or their meter supplier, had two sources for this face plate. And, that the message didn't get through to someone. From there, no one noticed. OR, it wasn't any big deal -- just use them!
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 4:28 pm
by CopperCollar
Pistol did did my gauges and the volt meter reads volts.
Also my faces are full of air bubbles under the overlay.
They say Pistol Pete's instead of nippon sieko.
My Speedo still wavers as well.
I haven't contacted Pistol Pete yet. I suspect they are not warranted.
I ride this 79 often and just can't give up the gauges for turn around.
Thinking of giving Pete Rose a shot at them but he doesn't repair the gauges.
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 5:05 pm
by ajs350
I also had a few air bubbles and let Pete know. He told me to send them back so he could take another look and returned them a few days later in perfect order with no bubbles at all. He stood behind his work for me so it might be worth giving him another shot before you abandon ship.
Re: Volt Meter - Volt or Volts
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 5:27 pm
by CopperCollar
I plan on contacting Pistol Pete and letting him give then a go over.
Just have a full plate of life right now.
Glad yours came out great Ross!
Mike