Double Dragon Rebuild/ Restoration

[Phetishboy]

Now, this wasn't my typical restoration. I didn't have to stencil or paint or apply side art or any of that. Even so, this one seemed to be more work than any other I have tackled. I got a dedicated Taito Double Dragon cabinet from Chris that looked to be in good shape, but was completely bare. No monitor, PCB, transformer, harness, power supply, joysticks, buttons, coin door, control panel or bezel. Nothing but the cab and the light fixture. I basically rebuilt this thing from the inside out. New switcher, transformer, Bob's fully loaded jamma harness, Happ Coindoor, marquee, used but nice CP, bezel, rebuilt K7000 Monitor, Armi's lighted buttons and 2 wico 8-way leaf joysticks. I did have to repair the kick plate, as someone had busted it and used several metal brackets on the inside, with bolts on the outside to stabilize and reinforce it. I had to fix the break and remove the 27,345 bolts, nuts, L-brackets and washers. Then I had to fill all the bolt holes with bondo, sand and paint (the front). I didn't like how the paint was turning out in this humid weather, so I did one coat, lightly sanded it and covered the entire front, from CP to the bottom of the drawer in Happ vinyl. Looks sooooo much better. I still need to color match the grey on the sides to touch a few areas, including the filled bolt holes at a later time. Anyhoo, the side art is original and in great shape, but there are a few dings, blemishes and scratches that I'll just have to live with for now. I don't think the side art has been reproed, so I am happy to keep the original stuff. I still need to figure out my monitor width issue and secure a few of the interior wires, but after several weeks of stripping wire, crimping and getting everything in the right order, I think for now she's done:

 

[thebman80]

Nice looks a lot better than mine does.

 

[Phetishboy]

 

[jow]

Looks good. Have fun with it.

 

[Grbgemen]

Looks nice. I fixed one up for my brother awhile back.

His has the same issue with the width. Think his is a little wider than yours.

 

[gorfchampion]

Looks sharp Phet; nice work...

 

[thebman80]

So was that the CP you got with the game? Mine is all faded and cig burned that almost looks bran new in comparison.

 

[pipcade]

Double Dragon cabs are awesome - I have had two in the past and would love to have one now. The drawer at the bottom makes it easy to swap PCBs and the monitor is super easy to rotate from H to V and back - great for a JAMMA cab to use to play different games by swapping.

 

[GaryMcT]

Wow!! Mine is truly junk compared to that!! It's a workhorse machine for me.

 

[Zinfer]

OMG! That is sweet! That could not have been a better cabinet and one of my favorite games. I envy that deal. Fantastic game.

 

[gutsman004]

Double Dragon cabs are awesome - I have had two in the past and would love to have one now. The drawer at the bottom makes it easy to swap PCBs and the monitor is super easy to rotate from H to V and back - great for a JAMMA cab to use to play different games by swapping.

Yeah they are super versatile! The worst thing I ever did was sell mine.It was in about the same shape as Phet's sans the illuminated buttons.I miss it!

 

[Tighe]

Wow

Beautiful! HAPP Vinyl?? I didn't know about this! checking HAPP web site....

OK wow, so which style did you use, I like it.

http://www.happ.com/vending/acesor/49057200.htm

 

[Phetishboy]

Thanks guys. I found that beautiful Control Panel in the KLOV FS section about a year ago. Other than some small specks in the black and the red/blue paint touch-ups around the joystick holes, it's nearly perfect. Mine was converted to a basketball game and covered in grey vinyl. I lifted the vinyl and found no graphics underneath, so I went a lookin'. The marquee and PCB I got from AG. Monitor came out of a $99 Roadblasters. I think I used the bison vinyl, but I'll have to check. I think I am gonna get new t-molding, as this original black 9/16" stuff is looking a little worn out.

 

[enjoyvelvet]

Game looks awesome. I'm sure you've already tried this but I just had to adjust the width coil in my machine and I got it to stretch pretty much all the way across horizontally. Someone needs to repro the bezel. Nice work on a classic.

 

[SuperGunGuru]

Looks great! Did you try to re-create how they set up all the wiring and what not inside the bottom drawer? I've seen a lot of Double Dragons (mine included) that have this weird interface board that goes between the harness half inside the drawer and the other half of the harness that goes to the controls, coin door, monitor, etc.

 

[Phetishboy]

Looks great! Did you try to re-create how they set up all the wiring and what not inside the bottom drawer? I've seen a lot of Double Dragons (mine included) that have this weird interface board that goes between the harness half inside the drawer and the other half of the harness that goes to the controls, coin door, monitor, etc.

I have it, but I did not use it. I figured it would just be one more possible failure point, just like an EMI Filterboard. I also didn't need it with Bob's fully wired Jamma harness (I woulda had to cut all the wires off of the edge connector). As far as the AC and light fixture wires, do they run down thru the back of that slot that sits on the lower center of the back panel? I have them all running down the back into the corner and they don't seem to be in the right place there. It's tough to get all the wires the right lengths with the dynamics of the pull out drawer, that's for sure.

 

[mhanlen1]

The game looks great. I'm more familiar with the NES game than the arcade, but it's a cab that I'd get if I had the extra room.

 

[OldTymeToys]

Nice job as always my friend. The only thing that stood out to me was there aren't any dust washers for the sticks. Did you try it with dust washers and didn't like it?

Red t molding would look tight, too.

 

[Phetishboy]

Nice job as always my friend. The only thing that stood out to me was there aren't any dust washers for the sticks. Did you try it with dust washers and didn't like it?

Red t molding would look tight, too.

Hey, can't you see the dust washers were painted on by the previous owner of that CP? What more do I need? (Actually, I don't have any at the moment). I think I would have trouble finding 5/8" t-molding in red. But yeah, it would look hot.

 

[OldTymeToys]

Hey, can't you see the dust washers were painted on by the previous owner of that CP? What more do I need? (Actually, I don't have any at the moment). I think I would have trouble finding 5/8" t-molding in red. But yeah, it would look hot.

Painted dust washers ARE the in thing.