Hey all,

Picked up this Night Rider a few weeks back. Non-working, super rusted out head unit, decent playfield for not having any glass I guess. Backglass is pretty good, sans a huge hole in the art by Player 1. As a bonus, the head itself is falling apart. No back door, and the rear glass holding pieces and lockdown bar were just handed to me. I've got to say, I was happy to see those parts though! As an aside, super nice seller. Guy was basically just cleaning out a little and looking for a little cash to give to his daughter. Win - win!
0315211933a (resized).jpg0315211938 (resized).jpg0315211938a (resized).jpg0315211939 (resized).jpg

Started off with my old friend vinegar. Had to break the leg levels free. I plan on seeing if I can't gussy them up a bit, but for now I just wanted to make certain this project was going to run fairly quickly, and cheaply. Legs took about 2 nights soaking, then boom, off they came, no problem.
0329210948_HDR (resized).jpg

Got her stood up, and evaluated the project a little:
0329211020d (resized).jpg0329211021a (resized).jpg0329211020c (resized).jpg0329211019 (resized).jpg0329211021_HDR (resized).jpg0329211021c (resized).jpg0329211021b (resized).jpg0329211020b (resized).jpg0329211020a (resized).jpg0329211020 (resized).jpg0329211019a (resized).jpg0329211021 (resized).jpg

Time to work on the rusty score reel coils. I couldn't believe how the plungers were rusted out, in a plastic sleeve. And man were they stuck in there! For the most part, a little iso and gentle tugging got them free. I didn't dismantle each score reel yet. My main goal was to get everything to move and reset to 00000.
0329211042c (resized).jpg
Of course, the last 2 wouldn't budge. At all. I was being very careful to not stress the nylon/plastic parts, so I kept applying iso, then oil, and eventually vinegar. A day later I was still tugging with no release ( ). Eventually I pried the coil support loose, and had access to the plunger. I poured a little more vinegar in there, let it sit, then tapped it out. Problem solved! The last 2 coils were cleaned.

But then I ran across a set of gears not moving. Out of 16 possible reels, only 1 was totally seized. Not bad! I took this one apart and gave it a solid cleaning. No surprise it is the smoothest reel now.
0331211135b_HDR (resized).jpg0331211135a_HDR (resized).jpg0331211135_HDR (resized).jpg
Hooked everything back up, hit the power, and started a game! Had to tap a few reels to get them to advance; no surprise, I did the minimal amount of work at this point. She's alive! At first the reels didn't turn at all, even though the bells were sounding, but eventually they started moving. My guess is a few contacts under the playfield needed get cleaned.

I've got my plastics cleaned, and am working on a general playfield refurbishment. If all goes well I may try to clear coat this thing, we'll see.

So now I'm looking for a little free advice...

I have no GI at the moment. I have checked the fuses, all 5 test good (out of socket with a DMM). I pulled and replaced all Jones plugs. Most look pretty shiny. Even thought the playfield has no lights, it sounds as though the bonus countdown is still in effect. I've never played Night Rider before, so I'm just guessing here.

Any thoughts on my GI problem (wow, 2 in one post! )

Unaware of that. This is my first Bally.

I'll look into it. Thanks!

Just read that 70's Ballys had a left of coin door Jones plug issue as well. Looks like I've got a few leads.

And yeah, beach game, or nice damp basement.

1) You've already got one!

2) Both. Entire deck. Backglass and coin door are fine. I used a meter - out of holder. Fuses check. Did break a tab on the 5 amp though. Ran the meter with fuse in on the holders; still getting current.

3) Jones plugs. Just cleaned 'em a little with a wire brush. Lowered the playfield, and of course it slipped a little as I have the apron off. Kinda slammed some. Now I've got no power. Yay!

So, back at it. I'll get a new fuse holder for the 5 amp as well.

So, I'm back to power and old light situation. I believe it has to do with the plug on the left near the score motor.

Time for more tinkering!

GD, thanks.

Well, I'm looking for it, but don't see that relay labeled.

I see it on my schematic, but I don't see the other near by units either...

Also, I've found the middle Jones in the head has a loose wire effecting behind the backglass. So I'm learning!

0401211241~2 (resized).jpg0401211349 (resized).jpg

Think I found the game over relay (right next to score motor?), but no matter what I jiggle, no lights.

Oh well, for another day. I'll find it eventually. I've got plenty else to work on with this project!

And then you look at the same plug for the 15th time and realize it's dirty and needs some wire brush!

Still don't have all lights/inserts, but progress I'll take!

0401211804 (resized).jpg

And then more lights as contacts came clean from use!

61384 (resized).jpeg

I'm thinking I may just do a few minor touch ups and then auto clear. I'm thrilled its working so quickly! Thanks

Yeah, after going through that bowler a while back I learned a lot about lube/no lube.

I isopropyled the nylon shaft interior on the steppers and just lightly sanded and cleaned the shafts. I sanded/wired some rust off of the metal plungers, then gently oiled, and wiped off. I didn't want rust forming right away again. I didn't do a super job first go round, only wanted to see if I could free it up and get it going. I'm going back over them soon - full tear down. I'll be sure to avoid any oil to nylon intermingling.

I'd love new plungers & sleeves, but that's about $200 I don't want to spend right now if it's working as is.

Thanks for the help and tips. Keep them coming!

White or pearl?

Thinking I would peroxide + sunshine these guys if white.

0402211100 (resized).jpg

If you're trying it soon I'll send my stuff up to you...

Ok, spent this morning removing posts, etc.

I'm a little nervous about getting things back correctly, so plenty of pics for me. Here's my deck now.

0402211153 (resized).jpg

0402211153b (resized).jpg

0402211154 (resized).jpg

0402211154a (resized).jpg

0402211154b (resized).jpg

And, why not label some baggies while I'm at it? Let's keep this easy on the finish end.

0402211208a (resized).jpg

Well, a little chilly, but let's see what this does.

I know it's not the 12%, but cheap is good. I've done small plastics before. Didn't totally clear them but definitely showed improvement.

0403210815 (resized).jpg0403210829 (resized).jpg0403210832 (resized).jpg

Here we are after one day of sunlight. Around 45 - 50 degrees today.

I'll let them sit out again tomorrow.

Also worked on cleaning the playfield today.

0403211737 (resized).jpg

0403211800 (resized).jpg

Aaannddd, we're back.

Well, the hydrogen peroxide didn't really give me the results I was looking for. Oh well, no real loss there.

Spent some time the past few days working on derusting some metal and fortifying the backbox.

I've got a bunch of plywood delamination going on, so lots of glue and clamps at work now.

0407211834 (resized).jpg

0407211834a (resized).jpg

0407211837 (resized).jpg

0410211809 (resized).jpg

0410211809_HDR (resized).jpg

0411211655 (resized).jpg

Had a few nice days last week, so I got some backglasses triple thicked.

Night Rider had a little more flaking than I initially thought.

0407211514 (resized).jpg

Penny for your thoughts on these inserts.

1) heat and level them. The decals will be fine.

2) drop some leveler on there. If you try to remove or adjust those they'll only look worse.

3) grab some clear circular labels and stick them on those. It's just a beat Night Rider.

4) something completely different.

0413211653 (resized).jpg

Well, I was unhappy with the results of the 3 inserts I tried. I rolled a ball over all of them and it didn't seem to alter the path or jump and bump, so I'll probably just leave them or try some leveling agent.

I plan on clear coating the field anyway.

Decided, though not cost effective, nor truly deserving, that I would repaint this cab. I've never done one before, and I'm basically in this hobby to learn. I figure if it fails miserably, oh well, so long as it plays.

Here's my head. I'm using a stripper as I'm fairly certain this has lead.

0416211636_HDR (resized).jpg

Round 2.

0416211934 (resized).jpg

Round 3.

Time to head over to the whiskey thread. This can wait til tomorrow, with more sauce and a brush to finish it up.

0416212029 (resized).jpg

Switched up from using a 5 year old can of chemical stripper to a brand new bottle of Citristrip. Bam!
0417211818 (resized).jpg

It's got that "far away" look.

Primer all set, I'll white it up in 30 minutes or so.

0418211631 (resized).jpg

I did such a poor job on this I think it'll pass for factory!

It's all good though. It's 100% better than before. Plus the game wouldn't even play, so anything I do can only help I figure.

0418211724_HDR (resized).jpg

I was wondering what shade of red to go with. Took off the side rail.... there's my answer.

0420211753 (resized).jpg

Thank you.

So, my lock down is so snug it has to be forced down.

I was originally thinking the cab was separated. Looking at these corners I figured no brainer.

But when I look inside they appear tight.

Even with a clamp they don't really close much.

Thoughts?

0420211852 (resized).jpg0420211852a (resized).jpg

Maybe take a thin blade/saw and try "cleaning the crack", then glue and clamp?