The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently bought a Columbia portable (202) and can't seem to get the motor running at speed. I suspect that someone has replaced the governor springs/weights with those from a Victor, but figured I would ask before I started switching parts around?

I can't be sure, but it looks as though this is the later motor fitted after the Columbia/HMV merger. If it hasn't got Columbia stamped on the base plate, then it is the later motor, and the governors are the right ones. Firstly, look under the turntable at the hidden end of the speed control. You will see a slot, with a small prong sticking up through it. This prong is connected to the governors, which control the speed. Move the prong slightly to the right with your finger, and the motor should start running quite a bit faster. If it does, then loosen the two screws holding the slotted plate to the motorboard, and slide the plate to the right a small amount. Now the fun begins! You will have to keep setting the indicator to 78, and then adjusting the plate either way until the speed is right. Can be frustrating!
If this adjustment doesn't bring the motor up to speed. then the governors will need to be adjusted.
Look at the small brass collar that the governor springs are attached to (near the spiral gear). Apart from the three screws holding the springs, there is another, which clamps the collar to the central shaft. If you loosen this, and slide the whole governor assembly so that the brass disc moves away from the felt pad a couple of millimetres, the motor will run faster when set to 78. Make sure the spring has run down completely before adjusting the governors, or you will strip the gears.

You probably know how to do all this anyway, but it might help someone else who has this annoying problem.