Spitfire windshield install

The windshield is in !
Huge milestone and big thanks to my friend Bruno who helped installing.

My 3 step process is different than what we normally see on Triumph forums so I'd like to share :

1. When the rubber has been stored in a loop for several years it is not that easy to install around the windshield and make it stay. So we installed it then kept it in place for a few weeks with the help of rope and bungee cord. Did the same with the "metal" strip.

2. No rope technique here. Apply plenty of soapy water and position slowly. Used a 90 degree bend screwdriver to slowly pull the lip on the inside of the frame. The outside lip is easy and can be done by hand. Slowly go round and it will pop in place.

3. Push in the "metal" strip now while everything is fresh.

Et Voila !

Triumph spitfire speedometer and tachometer repair

I have had the dash cluster ready for a while and after installing the right cable for speedo and tacho I decided it was best to give them a try and horror, the needles were moving left and right, they looked dead. My test system was an old cable and the electric drill. A quick internet search made me realize these are pricey.

I had to open them but in my opinion the toughest part was to remove the needle. It is forced or glued in there so I had to build the mini extractor you can see below whith 2 screws that push on the speedo screws underneath. 

It kind of looked like that. Prepare a clean workbench, clean fingers, photos and memory to remember where all these little screws go

Luckily I had 2 of each and scavenged the best parts form each one to make one. The tachometer is the easiest to fix and I recommend fixiing this one first. The speedo has little plastic wheels on the side that tend to break with age and will jam the main axle.

 I found that the main problem was the same on all of them. Over time, play develops and the magnet part ends up touching the disc that moves the needle. It is what creates this "jumping" effect on the needle. In the end it was a super easy fix pictured below, just need to make it tight again by pushing the magnet part against the ring, using the vice.

A lot more moving parts in the speedometer pictured below. Moved the mileage while I was at it, to reset it close to 0 from the restoration since everything that moves is new on that car and since I am not 100% sure what was the real mileage on the car.

Painted the outside case while I was at it and "voila" ! Tried the fuel and water temp and they seem fine. A new fancy cluster ready to hit the road !