If you need any help with the Zipper mechanism, please let me know (PM me). I sourced replacement bushings and other things when I rebuilt my zipper last year. I guarantee it will be gummed up at minimum and will require a good cleaning.

We are not too far away from each other too.

Dave

I've got a cosmos and a 4 queens I want to bring back to life this winter. Can you share where to order the replacement parts you used for your flipper zipper rebuild?

1969 Gator arrived today and is up and running. This game will be for sale, in the near future.

I am seeking a better backglass of any Gator version, crystal glass, plexi, USA or German Aligator version. Also, the 1 point bell appears to be absent so I'm looking for one of those. Third, I need a "palm corner cap" for the canopy frame (which I imagine are scarce). Last, I need the proper scorecard (I haven't yet checked the online scorecard database).

This example has what I suspect is a prototype head because it has a 5th digit dummy reel. I have seen 5 digit dummy reel examples with squared-off score windows. This one has rounded score windows like the 4 digit production version, which is interesting. Perhaps it was a transitional/alternate prototype.

Below are photos of the game, upon arrival, with its decades of dirt and degraded rubbers. The playfield will likely clean up very well. The plastics are intact. Two of the pop bumper caps somehow escaped burn stains. All inserts are level.

The aprons, legs and door are all in good shape. The leg bolts are correct.

The cabinet graphics are bright, even before cleaning. This game has one of the best overall original cabinets of the 9 zipper flipper games I've had in my line-up.

The canopy is nice (save for the missing corner cap) and the top glass is good.

After I complete the cosmetic restoration, this game will be for sale.

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No silkscreened ink versions are available. If I can't find a better original, I will opt for the BGresto.

I just got my freshly acquired Bazaar up and running. I did not expect to be this drawn in!

Here are a few "just got it home" pics.

Surprisingly, the playfield is in pretty decent shape. Everything works as is, old rubber and all. Only thing that truly needs tweaking at the moment is a weak flipper. I guess I'm about to get a crash course on Zipper Flippers, , ,
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Bally 1968 RockMakers
Picked this up about a month ago, just started working on it.

image (resized).jpg

Ok I want to test the waters. I took a complete set of clear plastics out of Fireball to a shop and asked for a price for 25 sets. I did complete sets and not just the two pieces that break because my guess is most Fireball clear plastics are yellowed like mine and the difference in cost was only about $15. Why not get a complete set. You will need to transfer the small bell shaped stand offs but a post in this topic covers how to do that. It does not look hard once you know the tricks. If someone finds that before I do please repost that here. Cost for the 6 piece set will be $50 plus shipping. I'm new at this so I'm not sure how to deal with the shipping part. The plastics will be made of a material that will stand up to any type of shipping so it may be possible to use bubble wrapped envelops. Not going to get rich with this project but it should be some fun helping out other Bally and Fireball Fans. If this works out I may do other Bally games from this time period. Let me know what you think and send me a PM if you want to get on the pre-order list. Thanks

Does anyone has a Rubber Ring list for Bally Dixieland

Gonna start shopping it out but was unsuccessful in located a ring list

Any help appreciated

Thank you so much !!

Anyone have a nice high resolution Dixieland Backglass scan

Mine is super roached out

Anything beats nothing
Appreciate anyones help

https://www.pinballartusa.com/product-page/dixieland-1967-bally-backglass-53-pba

I don't own any zipper flipper Bally's yet but that lower playfield is very interesting. It's the closest thing I've seen to the William's Olympic Hockey table design. It's very well implemented on the Hockey pin and had wondered if it had been used elsewhere. Didn't expect to see it on the Bally.

https://pinside.com/pinball/machine/olympic-hockey

My first pin was a Bally Space Time 10 years ago, had moved it along as we do in this hobby. Recently got a Time Zone and forgot what a silly blast this thing is to play. The pops are just off the charts at 50V but I had forgotten how poor the flippers were compared to Gottlieb's for example.

Does the 2" zipper flipper assembly have better strength and control than the early 3" Bally design? Would love to try a zipper one day.

If one is for sale, I'd love to have it!!

I have Joust.
Would *love* to have Four Million BC!

PXL_20220417_223218020 (resized).jpg

http://bgresto.com

He has Dixieland repro backglasses, not silk-screened, but very nice.

Is there a tutorial about how to service zipper flippers anywhere? Here's what I'm starting with and it doesn't look very pretty. There is a lot of play in the mechanism, especially on the side of the left flipper.

VOZQ7389[1] (resized).JPG

I'm a long time Zale guy, and I already had 4 in the collection (Gold Rush [AAB], Hay Ride, Cue Tease, and Happy Tour... yeah, I like the add-a-ball games). My first Zipper Flipper game arrived on Saturday -- Joust. The playfield is in fantastic shape, the backglass is pretty much shot, so I'll be looking for a replacement. Already got it sort of running... but it needs some work. The score motor just runs until you manually trip the ball return relay, then it will play through that ball and score correctly. When the ball drains, the score motor runs until that relay is tripped again. Probably no big deal, but I wasn't in the mood to tinker last night.

http://www.pinrepair.com/em/index3.htm#zips

For those interested in technical information regarding Dixieland.

Listed below is the documented 800+ hour restoration to restore the game to complete factory specification quality.
The topic thread discusses various professional tips used when working with Ted Zale "zipper flipper" titles.

Additional photos regarding this specific game can be found on IPDB which were provided to Jay Stafford.
IMHO, one of the finest examples in the world, not specifically from the restoration, but original quality baseline.

After completion, I compiled a Tutorial Video detailing history, features, and gameplay on YouTube.

Dixieland (Bally, 1968) - A Restoration Journey
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/dixieland-bally-1968-a-restoration-journey

Dixieland (Bally, 1968) - Tutorial Review

-TBK

I’ll give it a shot.
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Garrett, that 4 Million BC looks to be in great shape. Looks like an easy project and should clean up really nice.

Is there a kind soul in here with an extra Bally Zipper flipper mech? I'd buy a whole parts playfield or machine if necessary. Please let me know if you have anything you can spare. Thanks!

I used to play these zipper flipper games when I was a kid. Tracked these 3 down over a 5 year span about 20 years ago. Purchased Four Million BC in Idaho, Fireball in Nebraska, and Nip It in Minnesota. Shopped out last year with new rings, coil sleeves, and general clean and wax.

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Killer Bally collection!

Thank you.

I agree with that! Super cool!

I started off as a classic Stern guy, but it turns out the better half is a Bally Girl. We now own Four Million, Nip-it, and Bazaar.

Bazaar is the most recent purchase, and I believe I have it pretty well tuned up now. We plan to stream it tomorrow at 5:00pm eastern. We streamed Four Million last week.

Https://twitch.tv/whattheflip

Looking for NICE examples of:
Surfers
Cosmos
Gator
Mad World
Dogies
RockMakers

Do not have to be working, but I do not have the skillset to restore classic Ballys, so need good “bones”. Shoot me a message if you got one. Thanks!

FYI, Mad World is a Zale but is not a zipper.

Yep, saw that but figured it wouldn't hurt to add to the list

It will eventually get installed…

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Completing some paint touch ups as well.

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Bally Zipper Flipper alert !!
Go get them !

Bally Rocket III $ 1000
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/289257267007864/?ref=saved&referral_code=null

Bally MiniZag $ 400
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1555312508374882/?ref=saved&referral_code=null
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UGH... that MiniZag is too far away for me. I'd love to add that one to the collection!

I was gonna say is there anyone in the Carolinas pick this up and hold until I can get transport in order? Shoot me a PM please!

I installed a home made Add A Ball (AAB) kit to my Bally Surfers and thought I'd share the information regarding fabrication and troubleshooting:

- First, thanks to those in this thread for the previous AAB information, without which I would be left guessing and Thank You to Absolute Pinball for providing the Relay, coil and Jones plug.

- I cut the 20 pin Jones plug in half and left attached the previous wiring, shortened a few wires and soldered them carefully in place according to the Bally Minizag AAB thread picture, post #11.

- The relay provided was a 4 lower plus 2 upper switch stack and I removed the 2 upper leaf switches.

- Upon installation, the AAB functions worked, the backglass Shoot Again and apron lights came on but the extra balls just kept coming in various amounts, sometimes one, two or up to five extra balls per ball, with the Shoot Again lights staying on.

- Humm...At first it seemed the larger more powerful coil/relay used (there were no identifying numbers on the coil), was holding the AAB function on. I decided to reduce the size of the coil actuator return spring by successively snipping a few loops out at a time, thus making a stronger spring and this seemed to help but not cure the problem.

- Then I thought, well what activates the AAB coil to let go after adding a ball. There are a few drain and trough leaf switches and after inspecting and cleaning them, I noticed the outhole leaf switch had burned a hole through the fish paper insulator and was making contact (randomly) with the kicker base plate metal. That was the big problem.

- I replaced the fish paper insulator in the outhole leaf switch and the AAB function now works perfectly. I believe it was a combination of a weak coil return spring and intermittent disfunction of the outhole sensing switch.

*Note: With the AAB installed, I adjusted for #3, 5 and 7 balloons to score and to AAB on 1200, 2400 and 3400 points. In this configuration my game still allows match feature but only one extra ball per ball started.

1 - Minizag AAB kit (resized).jpg

2 - AAB installed (resized).JPG

3 - Apron Shoot Again light (resized).JPG

4 - Shoot Again backglass light (resized).JPG

5 - Backglass Surfers (resized).JPG

Nice work. My Bally games are too new for this feature but I think you just doubled the entertainment value available on your game.

Thank You, yes my game plays like a 1967 Surfers "Limited Edition" now that the AAB has been added!
Let's call it a Bally Surfer that's "resurfaced" as an LE.

Is the add-a-ball only available for certain balloons? I would do this mod if I could set it to add-a-ball every time you complete SURFS (or at least once per ball for doing that). But less interested if it only does so through score or certain balloons #s.

I'm still experimenting with this but after trying several configurations of the Surfers AAB adjustment features, here's what I found out so far:

- The AAB features can be adjusted to award extra balls for balloons, high scores or both.

- When adjusted just for balloons to award extra balls, up to three balloons can be selected from a choice of #3, 4 , 5, 6, 7 or 8, with #9 awarding a ball regardless. There seems to be no way to choose #1 or #2 balloon, (however I'm wondering if more than three of the other balloons can be chosen by soldering on a few more in line leads to the Jones adjustor plugs).

- When adjusted just for high scores to award extra balls, up to three set high scores can be selected via the backbox Jones plugs. (Again, I wonder whether more than three high scores can be chosen by soldering on a few more in line leads to the Jones adjustor plugs).

- If both balloons and high scores are adjusted to award extra balls all of the above applies but personally I find there are way too many free balls awarded that way. Since only one extra ball can be played per ball started, racking up several free balls per ball becomes easier and well, meaningless, since you only get to play one of them.

- What works for me is to have balloons score points on #3, 5 and 7 (and automatically #9), with high scores awarding an extra ball at 1200, 2400 and 3400 points. This way I feel I still have to try hard to earn that extra ball. Scoring points with balloons in this configuration is interesting and challenging, since there are times when completing the five Surfer letters seems to take forever and other times when the mojo clicks and the balloons just keep rolling in! I like when that happens!

- All in all, I'm still learning about the Surfers AAB features but so far it's been fascinating to put something together with your own hands and watch it change the game. It perked me up to improving my targeting and aiming skills with those little flippers.

With that third flipper, Surfers plays like it has a mini upper playfield, that's where the action is. The flow is there to be had and with good aiming skills, so is sending the ball up and out of the main playfield. The AAB feature provides an interesting and extra incentive to get to know this game.

Awesome work recreating that.

I have the AAB kit in my surfers, but haven’t really played around with it. The dream scenario for me would be if you could somehow reset the balloons back to zero at the start of every game, and then award AAB for 3,5 and 7 balloons.

I’m not really a fan of heavily rewarding carryover features like the game does by default with the balloons, but having every game start from zero would be amazing. I can’t check now, but I’d imagine that it’s a continuous rotation stepper, and would require major modifications in order to make it a step up/ reset.

First, I'm almost sure the balloon feature uses a step up, reset type stepper unit. I have this game but it is in storage. Second, I hope one day someone makes about 50 on these add a ball units. They would sell fast as they fit a number of Bally games. I think the add a ball units could sell for at least $50. Anyone interested? I would do it but I already have a lot of unfinished projects.

You are correct, just checked the schematic.

I’m in the middle of a move, but am looking forward to making it reset at the start of the game once I’m settled and have everything set back up.

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I've been lusting after a Rocket III recently. Have watched gameplay video, read reviews and interested in your opinions on this title too.

I'm a fairly new and previously unrealized Ted Zale fan, only took 10 years to figure out.

There are a number of Zale titles I'd like to have but don't come up for sale too often. There was a Rockmakers for sale last year in my area but was not yet a Ted fan.....

I'd certainly take a Mariner or Capersville if you have one laying around

I like novelty playfields and I appreciate the spinning flipper concept. They were always trying to innovate in some way. Should I consider Rocket III or wait for some other Zale design to come along?

My tastes run in a similar vein. I love my Zale Magic Circle and would love to get another of his designs. I think Rocket III looks awesome, personally. You can always move it on if a Wiggler shows up in your neighborhood.

Rocket III is a cool art design,
but the plunger (no skill) shot is basically moot and the top of Playfield Plastics
use up a lot of real estate (wasted)
Top half of PF is just random, scoring is pretty much out of players control
so it basically becomes a game of trying to hit the 2 red mushroom bumpers across the middle of the PF.

Magic Circle has both fantastic artwork and game play, that oh so close
i got to drop another dime to try again.

Agree with @pinwiztom. Rocket III gameplay wise is pretty boring. If there were some way to get the ball back up top reliably I'd be interested, but as it is the scoring is too random and reliant on the plunge.

My favorites that I've played are Surfers, Capersville, Cosmos, and Gator. But there are a lot that I haven't played.

Nip-It, 4MBC, and Fireball are some of the more commonly seen, with good reason as they all offer some cool multiballs, but I feel like the scoring options for those 3 are either one dimensional (Nip-It) or just more about keeping the balls in play than hitting specific shots (4MBC, Fireball)

As a Fireball owner, there are definite scoring strategies that are essential to earning a high score. If you merely keep the ball in play and only have the bottom 100 point pop bumper illuminated (the other two dark because you missed the skill shot) you aren't going to score many points whatsoever. It is essential to hit the skill shot on every plunge. If you do it right, you will get 4,000 points and close the zipper flippers on the way. After that, you need to lock balls, and release them. Hitting the "Release Fire Gods" captive ball target is the most profitable, but if you can keep locking balls, unlocking them, and getting the 4,000 point skill shot over and over, you will score big.

4MBC is pretty similar.

Appreciate the advice about the Rocket III from you guys.