You know what they say: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If the action feels nice and smooth you are probably good to go. That said, it couldn't hurt to take the springs etc, out and check them over just to be safe.

Hope you enjoy your speed king! I played an iron cobra for 10 or so years and then picked up vintage speed king to give it a try . I'm happy I did and liked it so much that I swapped one of my iron cobras for a second speed king. Great pedals! Have fun.

James

I'd say do it. You haven't lived until you have.

it's really easy and you can't hurt anything.

the only difficult (if you haven't done it before) part

is getting the grease caps off.

I placed the pedal on a vice and rapped the legs with a

rubber mallet and they just pop right out if you hit it just right.

they snap back in very easily. don't try to pry them out then

you might damage things permanently.

I cleaned all parts and then used white grease from the hardware

store to relubracate.

go for it!

Compressed air would work as well once the springs/plungers are removed.

If you don't lubricate them, eventually the push rods will lock up and you may never be able to remove them - I have one like that now - I have tried everything.

Go to these links at YouTube:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXtrKb1T5N0[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S10b5ffBwUQ&feature=related[/ame]

-but don't use a rubber mallet to remove the end caps as he says may be an alternative - you'll bust the seam in the housing - use a metal hammer and towel like he shows - the shock will pop the end caps out

Well, I am definitely going to restore this pedal. I used it in last night's gig and absolutely hated it. LOL

The action wasn't bad but, more than a couple times I felt it slapping against the bottom of my foot because it didn't come up as fast as my foot. Maybe because I play heel down and most play heel up. Other than that, the action didn't feel that different from my Iron Cobra. I have the IC set real light.

The worse thing was that the pedal was wiggling all over the place. It definitely needs a solid bass plate. With Velcro on the bottom. The kick drum I play is that old 1960 Ludwig with the straight spurs. It doesn't take much to push this kick drum forward. If the Speed King had a base plate and some velcro (like the IC) the only thing pushing the drum is the beater. Not a problem. However, when the pedal starts pushing the drum as well, it wasn't working out. I could use a block in front of my kick drum but a base plate on the pedal should also solve that problem.

I didn't like the beater, either. It felt "fluffy" compared to the stock Tama Iron Cobra felt beater.

I tried to be fair and use the pedal the entire night. However, about 3/4 way through the night, I had to change over to my Iron Cobra.

I'll tear this up and clean it all out real nice. The chrome shined up real nice. The paint is chipped. I'm not sure if I should repaint or not but, either way, I'll get it working 100%, clean her up like brand new and give her another try.

Thanks for the input and kudos to all who contributed to the How Do You Restore A Speed King thread.

The good news is, I loved that Slingerland snare last night. :)

If that's a Monroe NC pedal, it's not that old (I think they moved to Monroe in the 80s). I don't think I'd worry about it. You're probably just not used to the direct drive style of pedal; feel is completely different than yr Iron Cobra. you should try a bass drum anchor on the front; I encountered yr problem, and it helps a lot.

I have been watching the bass drum anchors (front spur style) on eBay since I got the drum. I was sure, just by looking at the drum spurs, that I would need a front anchor.

Oddly enough, after using the drum a few times, I found I didn't really need it.

However, with this pedal, a front spur anchor might solve the "creeping" problem.

I still felt like the heel of the pedal was all "wiggly". So, I might still put a light base plate on it.

You can flip the heel plate over too, that may make a difference.

The best solution to BD creep is sharp pointy spurs and a rug. Preferably a rug with a rubber bottom.