Help....after market MC clocks

[Arizona Wayne]

I bought a couple MC handlebar clocks a couple years ago I really like.  But now 1 of them needs a new battery.  My needle nose pliers can't attach to the back cover to unscrew it.  The back cover is 1.5 mm wide.  Does anyone here know where I can get the special tool to attach/get this cover open?
 
Thanx in advance. 

[Zoom Zoom]

What brand do you have? One I had in the past had 4 notches on the back bezel. I put the tips of the needle nose in them and unscrewed the back. That was Formotion I think.

Another brand I had, Marlin, uses a small screwdriver to pop the back off. It did not unscrew. If you look carefully around the edge, there was a very hard to notice place you could get a flat blade into.

John Henry

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I just let my local battery retailer (sells batteries for everything) do it for me. The battery costs $3 including installation.

[cloudbase]

^^^

This.

[M0T0Geezer]

Just buy a cheep Wal-Mart  strap-on (about $10)   

They last a year, then replace.  Here's mine:



'Geezer

[Don G]

The Cheapo strap on is the way to go, but some people suffer from FARKELITIS.  DonG

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The Cheapo strap on is the way to go, but some people suffer from FARKELITIS.  DonG

One can buy a clock and thermometer that mount to the handlebars on Amazon for around the same cost as a "strap on" watch.

 https://www.amazon.com/WXLAA-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Thermometer-Waterproof/dp/B01M4MYBFQ/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1490725270&sr=8-11&keywords=motorcycle+clock+and+thermometer

[fatbob]

 If it's the Marlin you have, I have the tool to unscrew the back. I can mail it to you. I lost my clock, bounced outa the holder. I use old wristwatches and Velcro now, like other cheap guys!

[Arizona Wayne]

If it's the Marlin you have, I have the tool to unscrew the back. I can mail it to you. I lost my clock, bounced outa the holder. I use old wristwatches and Velcro now, like other cheap guys!

The back plate has 6 notches on it and all the seams are so flush that's why I figure it screws on.  Don't remember the brand but it's really nice and only cost me $17 new, so I got 2 of them.  I could take it to a watch dealer but if I could get the tool that would be nice too.

[balvenie]

To get my Marlin apart, I (dimly) recall using the sharp edge of a single sided razor blade. Be Gentle or the blade will break. Maybe a craft knife would work.

[Moto]

The back plate has 6 notches on it and all the seams are so flush that's why I figure it screws on.  Don't remember the brand but it's really nice and only cost me $17 new, so I got 2 of them.  I could take it to a watch dealer but if I could get the tool that would be nice too.

You might be talking about the clock that I posted about some time back. If so, I share your concern. I just looked at the back of one of mine (about 1.5 inches, not mm!, across), and see very shallow slots. I just gave a half-hearted try with a pair of needle nose pliers, without success.

Amazon has a $7 watch back removal tool that looks good. I may buy one, since my battery is also dead.

I hope you'll post your solution if you find one.

Moto

EDIT: I just ordered the tool, which should arrive April 4th. I'll post my experience if you haven't done so by that time.

[Craigo]

Duct Tape
Seriously, tear off four or five inches of tape, then wad it up into a small ball, sticky side out.
Then push the ball into the back of the clock and use the tape as a friction tool to twist the back off.
Works great on watches, don't see why it wouldn't do just as well here.
Craigo

[Tom]

One can buy a clock and thermometer that mount to the handlebars on Amazon for around the same cost as a "strap on" watch.

 https://www.amazon.com/WXLAA-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Thermometer-Waterproof/dp/B01M4MYBFQ/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1490725270&sr=8-11&keywords=motorcycle+clock+and+thermometer

Have you bought them?  Looks like a nice set-up.

[sidecarnutz]

IME, breaking the seal on the back of many watches to change a battery, usually means it is no longer water proof once its back together. I just buy a new watch.

[rocker59]

Here's an idea!  Try going without! 

Captain America had it right.

[Tom]

Something to do while doing those looong straights out West.      

[Arizona Wayne]

Something to do while doing those looong straights out West.      

I went to Walmart today but forgot my watch to get a new battery for it !!     But while I was there I saw the tool they use, which is adjustable for any size watch back plate.     After reading what was said here, I looked up Amazon on internet and found the same exact  tool for $5 and ordered it.    Only thing is I probably won't get it for 3 weeks.    Probably will be able to get a new battery for it at 1 of the $1 stores around here. 

[twhitaker]

A lot of the shopping centers have watch kiosks in the halls. For no more than the cost of the battery they'll replace it.

If the watch has a post with a tapped hole in the center of the back it is most likely a Formotion.

[slopokes]

Just retire------ then u won't need a watch 

[twowings]

Sky light = daytime
Sky dark = nighttime
Sky light/dark 24 hours = Alaska

What's the problem??

[charlie b]

LOL

I was a velcro person for clocks.  Get a cheap watch, remove the wristband and stick to dash.  I used the 3M exterior grade double stick tape (grey rubbery stuff).

I like those ones Charlie posted.  My thermometer was a kitchen meat thermometer stuck in the steering stem (I didn't have a nice chrome thingy there).

[Arizona Wayne]

Just retire------ then u won't need a watch 

I've been retired(disability) for over 15 years but still like to know what time it is sometimes. 

[Moto]

Here's my report. I received the Amazon $7 tool, which turns out to be wobbly junk, unable to remove the backs on my two clocks. I also tried the duct tape trick, but no success. I'll take the one with the bad battery to a watch stand, and have them try it.

As I mentioned, I have two clocks, both seemingly the same model. Namely, this model: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Waterproof-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Harley/dp/B019WERJJY/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1491099619&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+clock+black.

The slots on the back of one of mine are shallow and difficult to engage with the removal tool. The slots on the other one are even worse -- much shallower. It's the only part of the clocks that seems poorly machined.

[Arizona Wayne]

Here's my report. I received the Amazon $7 tool, which turns out to be wobbly junk, unable to remove the backs on my two clocks. I also tried the duct tape trick, but no success. I'll take the one with the bad battery to a watch stand, and have them try it.

As I mentioned, I have two clocks, both seemingly the same model. Namely, this model: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Waterproof-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Harley/dp/B019WERJJY/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1491099619&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+clock+black.

The slots on the back of one of mine are shallow and difficult to engage with the removal tool. The slots on the other one are even worse -- much shallower. It's the only part of the clocks that seems poorly machined.

That's what my clocks look like.   Other than a battery dieing I've been very happy with both of them.  Gonna wait 'til I get my tool before I give up on it as in the pic it looks exactly like the Walmart tool which is used repeatedly.