My first speedometer is VINTAGE...and missing stuff
 

What do i need to put this Rollfast speedo to use?

the part

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/VINTAGE-BICYC...iew~~60_35.JPG

A newer Stewart-Warner and I know that driver wheel is it...

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Bicycle-Speed...89qg~~60_3.JPG

How/where do I get from A to B, other than the obvious cleanup?

I suspect that the Rollfast is really a private label Stewart Warner. If so, and assuming the head is still good and the cable still turns in the housing, then you need a vintage SW driver, and mounting bracket.

I have had that feeling for a long time. By turning freely as the dialglass shows this was in a barn or something and the casing clearly shows age.

I gather I should take my pliers and carefully try to turn it?

Well, I still have a problem. I've called the two main LBS in Boise and Nampa and I don't know much more than I do here. There is no shop in Ontario, OR...a new owner took charge here and was out of business within 3 years. A small shop opened a few months later and he closed August 25, 2011. I saw an SW spare parts kit on eBay not long ago but it's gone and I never saw anything of the sort I needed in it. I don't even have Paypal so I have to have a friend help me with these purchases. Since I don't know a lot and have no idea as to whom I need to get it fixed I need to find that person. I've never installed a speedometer and am at a medium disadvantage.

If you are reading than I need somebody to repair it.

It's not real clear which parts you have, and what you don't. You have the head, but no cable or driver?

If you are simply trying to resurrect this old speedo just so you have a speedometer, save your money and get an a "bike computor." New ones can be had for $20 or so in a "wired" model.

If you really want to restore this one for nostalgia sake, be prepared to spend some money. There used to be a couple of instrument repair shops in major metro areas who repaired and calibrated mechanical anolog instruments. Since the employment of electronics I'm not sure how many still exist, but I do know there are companies serving the street rod crowd who refurb old guages.

The cable can be duplicated by any of these instrument shops. If you can't find a driver (they are out there) one could be manufactured quite simply. Making it compatible with the head, so that speed readings would be accurate would take some experimentation. I suspect I could get the driver built and functioning in a couple hours. Imagine the cost- probably not worth it.

Any automotive speedometer shop would be able to work on something like that. Not neccesarily have the parts you are missing but repair the parts you have. Talk to some car restoration guys in your area to find someone locally.

Someone along these lines.
http://www.bobsspeedometer.com/1/120/index.asp

Being realistic and discount any nostalgic value, you have 2 choices.

1- if it is basically OK and you can find the needed other parts in a scrap bin someplace (not very likely given that it's 40 years old) you can get it working.

2- otherwise, you can keep it as a piece of vintage hardware and use it as a decoration or paperweight.

In theory a restorer might be able to make the missing parts, or repair the head if it doesn't work but it would be extremely costly.

If it has nostalgic value put it in a safe place as a keepsake, and buy a modern unit for $20.00 or less for the bike. Or if it doesn't have any nostalgic value, toss it and move on.

Reddog3, that you for your reply. You may not remember that my name denotes I own a Snyder built early 50s Rollfast. I also have a late 70s Honda fairing that is pinstriped and adorned with the Rollfast logo, large as life. Therefore, it's not a sentimental object but a part to be cleaned and fixed.

dedhed: I was unaware there were many speedometer repair shop. This shop has been repairing them since 1929! It sounds like a very good place to start!

FBinNY: Yes, it's and actually option that could have been option for this bike and with a motorcycle fairing and saddlebags I do think a Rollfast speedometer is a MUST.

I will call the Michigan shop in the morning. Hopefully I will at the least have some ideas about it.

To set you all at ease, the dial is not messed up, the glass is dirty,

Called the Michigan shop and they didn't have the stuff to handle bikes. Thanked them none the less. believe I found another option and I called them.

We shall see.

Or we won't.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stewart-Warn...item564a087647

Kinda pricey but out there.

At least I know the seller. He doesn't fix them but I can talk to him. Thank you.