1937 hd oil gauge

[diesel55]

who is doing 36-37 rebuilt oil gauges thank you

[sirhrmechanic]

I probably have more questions than answers.... but I didn't know that gauges were even available in the late '30s. If they were, I would LOVE to have one. Because I hate idiot lights.

Is bike a flathead or an Knuck? Can you post a picture of the gauge you have? If they are available as Repro, I'd run one in a heartbeat just so I can watch my actual pressure.

I don't know anyone specifically who rebuilds an HD gauge, but we use Morris Mintz at West Valley Instruments in California for almost all our instrument work. He is SUPERB with great rates and reasonable turnaround. Very good communication. You could also call Dave "Rat" Sherk at Harbor Vintage here in Vermont. He will know where to get stuff done.

Please tell more about your gauge, though! And pictures welcome.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Chris Haynes]

At one time Harbor Vintage was restoring them. I don't know if they still do or not. There isn't much to them. You could probably take your apart, clean and paint it and reassemble it with nothing more than a screwdriver.

[Sargehere]

I probably have more questions than answers.... but I didn't know that gauges were even available in the late '30s. If they were, I would LOVE to have one. Because I hate idiot lights.

Is bike a flathead or an Knuck? Can you post a picture of the gauge you have? If they are available as Repro, I'd run one in a heartbeat just so I can watch my actual pressure...
Cheers, Sirhr

You're going to be disappointed in the oil gauge, Sirhr. For 1936-7 only, a tiny oil "pipe" left the oil pump area on the gearcase and traveled up the seatpost and up to the dash. In the dash it pushed up a pin on a little diaphragm that moved a little hairspring-loaded "quadrant," like something seen in a clock or a watch, behind a window. It went from red "off" to green "on." And 2 or 3 pounds of oil pressure were enuf to move it. Probably a reason it lasted only two years on the new EL and in 37 EL and UL bikes.

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Live, pressurized oil in the copper pipe to the dashboard led to fatigue issues and oil all over the wires and switches under the cover; one of the reasons that in '38 it was replaced with a sending unit and an idiot light.

The ammeter that was also replace was the 1934-37 "15-0-15" little gem, that actually showed you what the generator was putting out; if you keptt an eye on it. At least the green idiot light that replaced it got your attention immediately if it came on out on the road.

[sirhrmechanic]

Thanks. I found some info on that last night. Interesting idea, but as you said, little more than a mechanical idiot light.
I was mistakenly thinking in terms of a needle gauge.

Thanks and cheers,

Sirhr