How to replace odometer reset boot and knob?

[aigram]

Condition:
Odometer reset knob is gone, boot is halfway gone and sticking out past the plastic window. Cable is present and fine.

Is it possible to pull out the existing boot, stuff the new one in it's place, and thread the new knob onto the cable? I have not attempted this because the plastic in this area is looking particularly aged, with internal spider-webbing showing. It also seems like the boot is flared out behind the plastic, to keep you from pulling it out; this looks like how it was supposed to be.
I picked up this boot and knob from RPM, but the existing boot sure does look different than the one I received. Does installation cause this flaring out?

I've attached a picture of what's on the bike, and the part from RPM. I may throw a tool across the room if I have to take the whole instrument cluster out and apart to replace this boot and knob...but it looks so sad right now that I suppose I'll succumb.

[ZOA NOM]

Removing the cluster isn't bad. You'll likely damage the plastic hole more if you try to jam it in there in place.

[balky1]

Boot from RPM is not OEM, it is something similar they found working. I had one also, but it cracked and fell apart in about a month so in your place I wouldn't bother much with the installation.

[aviationfred]

The instrument lens will continue to deteriorate over time. The lens is available through RPM and comes with the push button boot already installed. Install a new one and with proper care, it will last another 30 years.

http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ASpeedometerCover


Fred

[RPM - Robert]

Balky is correct, there is no OEM replacement. The only OEM setup would be replacing the entire lens, as Fred linked. To change your old one take off the knob, pull the rubber boot out, slip the new rubber boot on large side against the lens (They seem to fit inside the hole for the old one well), & install new knob.

[aigram]

To change your old one take off the knob, pull the rubber boot out, slip the new rubber boot on large side against the lens (They seem to fit inside the hole for the old one well), & install new knob.

Hi Robert, are you saying that I do not need to remove the instrument cluster and plastic lens in order to reinstall the RPM boot and odometer knob? I have not attempted to simply put a pair of pliers on it and pull out the old OEM boot, because of the condition of the plastic around the hole.

[RPM - Robert]

That is correct, the lens does not need to be removed. It is a "grommet" type seal on the OEM piece. I just pulled this one off of my bike and took a picture of the back side.

[ZOA NOM]

The button head should unscrew.

[aigram]

The button head should unscrew.

Don't worry, the button head is gone Should make unscrewing it pretty straightforward.