Guru-420
Well-known member
The Harlem Globetrotters machine is more of a nightmare than a story. Bought it super cheap at an auction as a possible fixer-upper. Didn't look too close at it before the auction started as I wasn't planning on buying anything, but no one was bidding so I bought it cheap.... Then I got it home...
Basically, it's a glorified boat anchor. So far as I can tell, if I were to try to fix this thing up, it'll wind up costing more than I could ever get out of it. MPU has acid corrosion from a blown battery (so new MPU needed), Solinoid Driver Assy is burned up, all 5 displays need replacement, backglass is a 3/10 (so I'd need to find a replacement), needs new lockbar assy (whole thing), new coin door (although the one I have may be salvageable). Even the body and head of the machine are in rough shape (but the artwork is easy enough to reproduce, could be cleaned up).
Only saving grace on this machine is the playfied is beautiful, very little playwear (8-9/10) and it is fully populated. Visual inspection of the wiring harness looks OK. Transformer assy and Sound Board look OK, but have not been tested.
I'm only about $150 in on the machine, and have been considering parting it out just to cover my losses. Only thing is, I've been a fan of the Harlem Globetrotters for over 30 years, part of me still wants to try to bring the machine back from the dead...
Looking for a few opinions as to whether it is worth the restoration. I really do not need a money pit (I'm married with kids, that's enough of a financial drain). So, here's my options:
1) Restore the poor machine
2) Part this out, cut my losses, and invest in fixing the other machines I own
3) Start looking for another Harlem Globetrotters On Tour and save parts/pieces to make one awesome machine
Basically, it's a glorified boat anchor. So far as I can tell, if I were to try to fix this thing up, it'll wind up costing more than I could ever get out of it. MPU has acid corrosion from a blown battery (so new MPU needed), Solinoid Driver Assy is burned up, all 5 displays need replacement, backglass is a 3/10 (so I'd need to find a replacement), needs new lockbar assy (whole thing), new coin door (although the one I have may be salvageable). Even the body and head of the machine are in rough shape (but the artwork is easy enough to reproduce, could be cleaned up).
Only saving grace on this machine is the playfied is beautiful, very little playwear (8-9/10) and it is fully populated. Visual inspection of the wiring harness looks OK. Transformer assy and Sound Board look OK, but have not been tested.
I'm only about $150 in on the machine, and have been considering parting it out just to cover my losses. Only thing is, I've been a fan of the Harlem Globetrotters for over 30 years, part of me still wants to try to bring the machine back from the dead...
Looking for a few opinions as to whether it is worth the restoration. I really do not need a money pit (I'm married with kids, that's enough of a financial drain). So, here's my options:
1) Restore the poor machine
2) Part this out, cut my losses, and invest in fixing the other machines I own
3) Start looking for another Harlem Globetrotters On Tour and save parts/pieces to make one awesome machine