Fuel Gauge Needle Fell of Its Shaft - How To Repair?

[FJ1100mjk]

Hi:

I recently bought a used,  non-running  '85. While I was cleaning it up today, I noted (scratched right exhaust canister, and a few blemishes on its right side) that it looks like it was laid down on it. I'm guessing that when it happened, the fuel gauge needle popped off its shaft, because it is lying at the bottom of the gauge.

Is it possible to disassemble the gauge cluster to get at the fuel gauge, and re-install the needle on its shaft again? Has anyone disassembled the instrument cluster before, if so, can you provide directions and warnings to do so?

Thanks in advance.
Marty

[oldktmdude]

  G'day Marty, you need to take the fairing off first, remove the headlight assembly (2 bolts plus adjuster bolt) then remove the 2 bolts holding the instrument panel in place. Once you have the panel out you only need to remove the 5 phillips head screws that retain the clear plastic instrument lens in place. You now have access to the gauge faces. Sorry no experience with re-installing a gauge needle. Maybe some type of bonding agent is required (loctite)? Somebody else may want to answer this.   Regards, Pete.

[Harvy]

Marty, follow Pete's instructions for dis-assembly. If worse comes to worse, I have a gauge you can have in perfect working order from my '91.
Harvy

[andyoutandabout]

yep gule is the way ahead.
While your at it, I would glue a 'needle stop' on the face of the gauge to prevent it from going bananas.
On the advice of mr Bean, I used a small tack, painted black, then super glued on to the dial face at the top of the tank full marks.

[Scooterbob]

Had to super glue mine back on about a month ago too.  Not too difficult.  Holding so far...........

[FJ1100mjk]

Guys:

Thanks for the quick input and fix for the gauge's needle. It's much easier to fix than I thought that it would be.

Thanks too, for the tip on putting a hard-stop in to keep the needle from spinning around. By the way, what is the cause of this anyways?

Marty

[SlowOldGuy]

Don't forget to unscrew/remove the trip meter reset button on the front before removing the gauge lens.

DavidR.