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White rings on tach and speedo

The place to discuss the R 90 S as well as the R90S Worldnet archives!
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RickR90s
Posts: 87
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:54 pm

White rings on tach and speedo

Post by RickR90s »

Hello there, new member here but have been an owner of my '74 R90s since 1980. The bike has 136k on it and I've ridden it in 40 states, CA and MX.

I have a question. On '74 gauges, there's a white ring surrounding the tach/speedo.

What was the material used?
How was it applied? (Paint? Decal?
Was it applied under the glass?
Was there a particular designated color?
If it's a decal, are they still available?

thanks,

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1974_r90s_instruments_with_white_ring.jpg
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RickR90s

Dan McCarthy
Posts: 47
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:06 pm

Don't know that I can answer

Post by Dan McCarthy »

Don't know that I can answer all the questions you have there Rick, but my experience with the white rings comes from attempting to fix some that had become badly damaged from, I suspect, UV and old age. I tried first of all to remove the rings, and while some of the damaged stuff flaked off pretty easily, the majority was stuck fast to the lenses. Not sure what it was originally, but I suspect paint. I tried removal after soaking the stuff with a couple of solvents but that didn't work either. Finally I sought the advice of an expert repairer in Germany (Michael Manzke - a genius with this generation of BMW instruments) and he pretty much said to forget about it as the lenses were not removable, and attempting it would likely break the housing.

I ended up buying a new, repro, housing which does not feature the white rings, but is otherwise a perfect match for this series instrument: http://www.bmwbayer.de/Instrumentengeha ... -bis-09/77

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RickR90s
Posts: 87
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:54 pm

White Rings

Post by RickR90s »

HI Dan,

Thanks for the reply. I have a couple of solutions in the works I think.

1. I picked up some white acrylic paint from a local craft shop and practiced on some glass after making a circular template.
Using a 1/4" wide brush and thinning the paint a bit (white satin), it looks promising after a couple of coats.

As you said, removing the glass isn't an option so I'll be applying to the outside of the existing installed lenses.

2. This option would be to apply the properly colored self adhesive vinyl. I have a friend in the graphics business so we're trying to come up with dimensions, etc.

I'll post results here when completed.

On a further note, I much prefer the clean, 'no rings' look too, but winters are long here in Michigan, the Lions aren't worth rooting for, and I like a challenge. :)

thanks,

RickR90s
RickR90s

Russ.17.
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 3:13 am

Hello chaps Re the white

Post by Russ.17. »

Hello chaps

Re the white rings.
Are they only fitted to /5 switchgear R90s as my one I purchased in 75 does not have them. Neither did a second 76 year I had.
Perhaps they are American mkt.
Russ.uk

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RickR90s
Posts: 87
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:54 pm

hey Russ, They were only

Post by RickR90s »

hey Russ,

They were only fitted to '74 model year bikes with the /5 (early) switch gear.

Rick
RickR90s

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marko
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:46 pm

white rings

Post by marko »

Rick is right about white rings being 74 only. Also the speedo and tach faces for 74 models are different. The hash marks at the numbers are small squares, later ones have narrow lines. See the picture in the original post above.
manic mechanic

kirkpatrick3890
Posts: 71
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
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Re: White rings on tach and speedo

Post by kirkpatrick3890 »

The only person I have ever come across that successfully repaired the white R90S speedo and tach rings is
Dutch (John) Lammers
in Canada.
Mac Kirkpatrick
President, VBMWO

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