CL72/Early CL77 Speedometer Rubber

[Ilbikes]

I need some photo help, please. The rubber gasket that goes between my 1965 speedo and headlight shell was completely dryrotted when I picked-up the bike. I am sending my speedo out for restoration in the morning and as you see in this photo at the 3 o'clock position, I had the ring and 2 screws zinc plated. What I don't know is how the thick rubber gasket works. Something has to hold the headlight in-place. Mine was floppy when I took it out, but the rubber gasket looks to have been adhered to both the speedometer and the ring.

Does the ring and speedo get glued/bonded together? It is the only way I can figure the speedo could be held in with the 2 small screws. Do any of you have one that is not crumbled/gone that I could see?

Thanks,
Gordon

[rustywrench]

Gordon,
I don't know what Honda used back then but I have cleaned and lubed my speedos and to attach the ring to the speedo I first mounted the ring in the bucket . Then I applied a thin layer about a 1/4 in. wide of RTV goop around the speedo just below the bezel. Then slide the unit into the ring and center it. When the RTV dries, it is stuck well enough to keep it there and easily removed if needed. This may not be restoration correct but it has worked for me. RW

[DONZIE]

Gordon e/mail me direct ssher40362@aol.com DONZIE

[conbs]

The mounting rubber on my bike was completely disintegrated so i have never seen an original one, but looking at the pieces and having bought a mounting piece in good shape, here's what I think Honda did originally.
The original rubber looks like it is rubber coated foam. The ring that the screws thread into was glued to the outside of the rubber piece with what looks like the adhesive used to attach auto door seals and the like. My speedometers look like they have that same glue where the mount was glued to the case below the chrome ring. Anyone else think differently?
The rubber/foam piece is an odd shape so unless you have a good one, you probably need to construct something like the silicone solution suggested. Some guys just jam foam in the space and report that works to at least hold it in place.
Hope this helps.

[Geeky160]

I bought some rubber tape at NAPA. It looks like electrcial tape but rubber. Wound up a bunch of layers until it fit. 10 years and still holding up. Good luck. g

[lassenpct]

I had one that was in, to say the least, fair condition. I took some black silicon calk and applied it in a couple of very thin coats to fill in the small imperfections and hold the loose pieces in place. After it completley dried, gently sanded it to get rid of the gloss finish to more accurately duplicate the flat color of the original foam rubber. Turned out well and pleased with the results. This would certainly be a good aftermarket product for someone. C

[jsmith1107]

I talked to Tim at Classic Honda Restoration because I was looking for one. He said they were hard to come by so he said what he has done is used inner tubes from tires to duplicate the rubber part of the gasket. I am doing the same now that I know this little trick.