Modifying a rep 064/087 caseset with a fully functional gen bezel

[SERGEANT_AT_ARMS]

Up until I recently discovered this mod was possible on the now discontinued 064/087, the only way to update the rep case set with a gen bezel was to permanently affix (epoxy) a gen bezel to the rep case. Even though you lost uni-directional bezel functionality, it was a very worthwhile mod as the rep bezel is a HUGE tell with its oversized nibs and sh1tty pearl.

 

One day I was looking through my parts bin and noticed the bezel retaining mechanism on the 064/087 rep bezel was a separate component from the bezel itself (other rep bezels I've examined, the ratchet mech and bezel are 1 piece).

The first step at accomplishing this goal was to remove the bezel from the case with a standard case knife working your way around the case/bezel (the 064/087 is not as difficult to remove as some models like the 187 which is a nightmare). Next remove the retaining/ratcheting mech from the rep bezel (I think cutting the bezel off with a dremel is the best alternative preventing bending of the retainer). The pic below shows the retaining mech which must be removed from the rep bezel.

 

 

What you want to do now is reshape the retaining mech (I don’t have a lathe so a dremel was used) to fit inside the gen bezel by applying a bevel at the top edge and removing any other mat’l necessary to get a good fit. A good fit would be the retaining mech is recessed into the bezel the same amount as it was recessed within the rep bezel. After test fitting the retaining mech into the gen bezel, I reattached the retaining ratchet assembly.

 

 Now place the gen bezel on the mech to see where you are with fit. You must be certain that the fit was very close in the previous step because any further reshaping of the retaining mech should be done with it installed on the case set (you would likely bend it if you tried to remove it at this stage). The bezel must be tight enough to not rattle but loose enough to turn, a difficult balance to achieve and will require some trial and error. Now epoxy the gen bezel to the retainer mech, being very careful not to get epoxy within the ratcheting mech and paying close attention to alignment.

 

Here is what we have after completion.

 

 

[w0lf]

Great stuff, a must for all franken Sub builders. Thank you for sharing!

[Watchmeister]

Just goes to show.....if you try long enough there is a solution. Congrats. That really ups the game of your franken.

[projectologist]

Man o man, talk about a major step forward!  Problem solved.  How-to's like this are my favorite kind of post