HMV 102 maintenance.

[anchorman]

I re-adjusted the end play with the original 3/32" ball bearing in place. Still getting governor noise when the machine is unloaded (i.e. reproducer not on the record). Any extra drag added seems to stop the rumbling. Is this as good as one can expect? It's a minor nuisance, and really I'm most concerned with undue wear than anything else. Perhaps there is a minor imbalance with one of the governor weights not being the same weight as the others, or there is a governor spring that is stronger or weaker than the others? I've considered also, that I may need to replace the leather on the governor, as if it were too stiff, it would not give even friction on the plate. The leather has been oiled, and is not rock hard, but it does not feel like new to me either.

[Marco Gilardetti]

Most if not all gramophones that I own are a bit noisier when there's no drag applied; some more than others, but there's none that is silent when idling and gets noisier while playing.

So if the noise is almost unhearable while playing a record, I'd say live with it, you did a good job so far don't overdo it. The motor of your 102 has nearly 100 years of age, and as such it's already doing marvels. Possibly it was a bit noisier than average even when it left the production plant, who knows.

[anchorman]

Mine is a 1953 model, so only 69 years so far hopefully it makes it another 69 years!