Hi chaps, beogram 1203 restoration thread, help from someone in the know desperatley needed!

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nifton Posted: Wed, Jul 31 2013 9:18 AM

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Morning All,

I've had a bit of a trawl through this amazing forum, I might just quit my job and start restoring vintage kit! ;)

I'll cut straight to the chase. Around 10 years ago, my Father gave me his old, non functional 1203. This 1203 was purchased new in 1975 by him, and he loved it so much, it went to Canada with him when he emigrated in 1978. Now because there was no internet in those days, and my Father being quite a logical fellow, he could not figure out how to step down the voltage delivery to the motor. So.... He removed the brass stepped cylinder from the motor spindle and turned it down to a much smaller radius on a lathe to physically slow the platter speed down. 

Of course this meant that on his return to the UK with a 3 year old version of me in 1985, the turntable was much too slow. So into the loft it went, 20 years later on after a loft clearance it would have gone in the bin if I hadn't stepped in to save it.

I only now have room for a nice Hi-Fi setup since a house move so am refurbishing this stunning little turntable. I have a service manual but nowhere are the original dimensions of this brass spigot mentioned.

So my questions are, what are the original dimensions of this piece of brass? Where can I find a replacement part rather than make one? Is it a standard part throughout the range at that time?

Or even - Is there any other way to speed up the motor to compensate?

I really hope someone can lend me some information, I cannot wait to hear it playing again after so long!

Many thanks in advance, Tom

P.S So far, I have replaced the belt, realigned the platter suspension, replaced the RCA and power cables and cleaned it up inside and out with actually taking ant internal components apart, are there any standard maintenance tips?

I'm also in the market for lid hinges as well.

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nifton replied on Wed, Jul 31 2013 10:49 AM

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Update****

I've checked against the service manual and the part I need is 160 - 2804033 - Stepped Pulley.

I have access to some very tallented chaps who can fabricate this for me if there are no spares floating about so dimensions would be also be very helpful.

Cheers, Tom

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Peter replied on Wed, Jul 31 2013 1:20 PM

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Hate to say this, but you will probably be best advised looking for a donor model. The 1203 is based on the Beogram 2000, the 1202 being based on the 3000. The 2000 came with a clever hinged lid which slides onto the deck of the beogram.

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nifton replied on Wed, Jul 31 2013 2:52 PM

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Hi Peter,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I have researched the hierarchy of this model and I think I could get away with the same part from any of those turntables. The motors are all rated the same in each unit and I cannot see why the designers would change this part in sequential releases of the same lineage.

So again, if anyone has a donor deck or these parts in a tub somewhere I'll be happy to pay fair rates.

Another option I was thinking of is layering tape around the spindle until I achieved the correct speed (I have other equipment I can use for reference) and thus I should have the correct (or as near as required) dimensions to tool a new part.

Cheers, Tom

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Dillen replied on Wed, Jul 31 2013 3:39 PM

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We will have to find out which motor type etc. is used and probably also the diameter of the rubber idler wheel.
Or maybe if you measure the one, you have we can figure out which one, you need.
It's also possible, that someone living in a 60Hz area with a 50Hz Beogram would like to swap for yours.
These two motor pulleys are from identical looking motors and they are very different, one is about 1mm wider
than the other overall.

BTW: To place sales and wanted ads, please upgrade to at least silver membership level.

Martin

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nifton replied on Wed, Jul 31 2013 4:26 PM

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Hi Martin,

I'll check the ratings this evening and report back along with measurments you've requested.

I don't think anyone will be willing to swap as the spindle has been tooled by my father as to reduce the speed that the turntables rotates as he took the player to Canada from the UK and the resulting phase shift sped the player up. so rather than adjusting the motor he re-engineer the spindle. As such it is no longer factory standard. Although, my Father used to produce master die work for Rolls-Royce jet engine components so I should imagine he will have been precise.