Harlem Globetrotters.. My Pinfest find

[Mr Pinbologist]

Hi guys, here are a few pics of my latest project for the resto queue (that is getting longer and nothing is getting done with any of them) 

A well worn, battered and bruised Bally Harlem Globetrotters.. i picked this up last weekend while down at Pinfest, one of the organisers had this advertised for sale up on a noticeboard there with a few pics, and i tracked down the owner and arranged to go to his house to look at it, which he very kindly took time out from his duties helping running Pinfest to let me follow him out to his house to check out the pin and buy it (Ian and i had to leave early on the sunday).

I later found out while checking the game out that this was one of swinks's old games! i remember him advertising it here on AP AGES ago, and thinking to myself, "i should get that for myself" but i missed out. HGT is yet another grail title for me, having played one years ago in Lake Cathie on the NSW midnorth coast so it brings back some old memories for me of the good old days 

Swinksey if you read this, its gone to a good home now and will get the FULL RESTO TREATMENT, and will be a keeper for me when done 

[Mr Pinbologist]

More pics.. I got TWO backglasses with this game.. both have issues of lifting artwork which i'll probably be able to do the Triple Thick/clingwrap trick same as i had to with my Kiss bg. One has been already been sealed, the other hasn't. i'll probably pick the best of the two to use.

The game is about 95% working, has some display problems, and the sounds aren't quite right, but i'll deal with that later.
Also the solenoid driver has its original 12 volt cap in it so that'll definitely go when i refurbish the boards 

[Freiherr]

Nice find! I played all the Bally machines in arcades up to 1983 and HGT was my favourite as it was very fast and bouncy and I like the in line drop targets. This is a great project and when finished will make a great play from the golden era.

[Mr Pinbologist]

Playfield has some NASTY insert wear  not quite sure how i'll tackle this yet.. well i have always said i like a challenge, and i most definitely have one ahead of me this time!!

As well as the 2nd BG, it also came with some new parts.. new drop targets, bumper caps and flipper bats that had already been installed, as well as a rubber kit (that'll probably be stuffed by the time i get to restoring this one)  and apron decals.

Also as an added bonus, it looks as though this may be the VERY SAME HGT i played in Lake Cathie all those years ago.. as written in black marker pen on the mpu board is the original owner/operators name, who is a Port Macquarie local who operated games around the midnorth coast area, and owned the HGT i used to play!!

So.. that means this could be yet another of the very same pins i played years ago.. thats about seven in total!

[oldskool1969]

I m whistling the HG tune already 
CLASSIC, look forward to this old girl getting dolled up!

[Mr Pinbologist]

I m whistling the HG tune already 

I've been doing that all week 

[Strangeways]

This is one of the "sleeper" Ballys from their golden era. You can see where Paragon borrowed ideas from this title - same designer - Greg Kmiec. The double flippers and the in line targets are the highlight. Strangely enough, this title is hard to come by, but I remember is was a really good earner back in the day.

Mitch - That playfield looks hammered ! It is a bit like a Power Play I have. I walked away from considering a restoration and quickly added my name to the CPR playfield list ! I think Power Play, $6 Million Man and Harlem are the "sleeper" Bally titles.

Looking forward to the resto thread !

[swinks]

yes that was my old one that I sold over a 18 months ago I think, it is a fun game, I went on a mission to find a better playfield without any luck, glad it is with someone with the desire and skill to restore it.

[goodolddays]

I look forward to seeing what you do with this one Mitch . I like the inline drops and 3 spinners on this game . That is nasty insert wear for sure .

I was there most of the Saturday at Pinfest . Would have been good to meet you in person , but without name tags its impossible to know who is who .

[Mr Pinbologist]

I look forward to seeing what you do with this one Mitch . I like the inline drops and 3 spinners on this game . That is nasty insert wear for sure .

I was there most of the Saturday at Pinfest . Would have been good to meet you in person , but without name tags its impossible to know who is who .

Yeah that would've been good to meet you too Dave. Last year i wore one of my shirts with my business logo (my avatar pic) but i didnt wear that one on the Saturday. Had i have worn it you could've come up and introduced yourself. Maybe we'll catch up next time 

And yes that is some NASTY wear on this pf that will test me out for sure.. i have a couple of ideas up my sleeve to tackle this one, but its quite a while off yet before i will get a start on it.. there are five other projects of my own in front of this game  still have to finish the never ending Pinball Pool resto that has been on the go for nearly two years so far

[ktm450]

Look forward to seeing the resto on this one, looks like a big job 

[Retropin]

I know you like to make your own stencils... but ive had this title available for a few years - just never got onto the website!

[Mr Pinbologist]

I know you like to make your own stencils... but ive had this title available for a few years - just never got onto the website!

Cheers Gav, will keep that in mind, im gonna have to try you stencils sooner or later   especially if i get a game to restore that is just too complicated to do the stencils in my usual manner