Seiko-SLV Shutter cleaning - How to get at the gearwork?

[StephenT]

Hey there. I have acquired a Horseman 980 in like new condition, basically unused, and the shutter is sticking - the cocking lever needs some assistance in returning to the uncocked position. Other than that, all speeds seem good. I believe the original lube has solidified a bit. The rangefinder arm was also sticking from lack of use - a little denatured alcohol fixed it right up.

I've searched the archives and can't find much about this shutter.

I've cleaned many shutters before, all much older than this one, but before I start fiddling with this one, I would like to get a head start from folks with experience with this shutter.

I've attached pics of the front and back.

I have not yet unscrewed the black ring (three screws appear to be holding it on). I wonder if the brass multi-hole ring that is fixed in position with the tiny screw at its top is what needs to be loosened with a spanner wrench and then the assembly lifted off without removing the black ring??

The flash sync wire coming out the back is a new thing for me. I assume going in from the front will leave that undisturbed........

I do have Carol's number as well as Grimes, and have indeed used them for repairs beyond my experience and tooling level! I do enjoy working on my own gear, and hope some of you knowledgeable folks can give me a hand.

 

[ic-racer]

Looks like that is for the 105mm. The little screw holds the brass ring in place. Not too tight or too loose when re-assembling! That is why they give you many choices to re-affix the ring. One of my "gray board" Horsemen Seiko shutters had a sticky lever to open and close the shutter for viewing. Is that the lever that you mean? The small one on the right in your picture. As I recall, I don't think you need to take the black shutter speed trim ring off.

 

[shutterfinger]

Remove screw at green arrow, mark the slot, and count the number turns to remove, record the result for reassembly.

Too tight-slow speeds; too loose-components may fall out of position.

 

[StephenT]

ic-racer: it's the shutter cocking lever that needs a bit of assistance to return to it's uncocked position and thus trip the shutter. It sticks about 7/8 of it's way back to the rest position. A gentle nudge gets it the rest of the way and fires the shutter.

shutterfinger: Many thanks for the info. I'll mark the ring with a sharpie and count the turns.

So do not loosen the black ring? Anything else to be especially aware of when removing the cover? It doesn't look like anything is in the way like the aperture pointer on the older shutters.

 

[ic-racer]

So I just checked mine and after all these years, it is still good. I believe all I did was clean with some naptha. Now that you mention it, I think the shutter cock lever was also sluggish. Yes, after you take the front plate off, you should be able to see and clean the mechanism.

 

[shutterfinger]

If its like Copal shutters there are guide groves on the under side of the top cover that delay mechanism pins or similar seat in so correct alignment of the cover is important.
The center retainer ring design is used on a few shutters including Compur.