I recently bought a Coinola Cupid that I first saw in the mid-1980s
and probably was the second nickelodeon I'd seen.  The machine has sat
unused with a tracking issue for the last 15+ years, but should play
again with some effort.  It is a walnut version without xylophone
(serial 8463) and has been in the Oroville-Gridley area of Northern
California since I first saw it.

It was probably rebuilt in the late 1960s or early 1970s, based on the
selenium rectifiers and capacitors in the replacement coin credit unit.
The cabinet was poorly refinished and the center door panel replaced
with clear glass.  All of the decals and tags were removed.  The control
levers under the top door were removed and their sliding controls
bypassed.  I created new levers to operate the sliding controls, but
have not replaced their missing tubing.

I  would like help with the following:

(1) What were the 2 lever controls for and what were their dimensions?
I already made substitutes, but am curious.  I saw that Coinola used
lots of 1/2" wide nickel-plated bar stock -- some 1/8" and others 1/16"
thick -- and I assumed they probably used the same for the levers.

(2) I would like a tubing diagram or description so I can re-connect
the lever-operated controls hoses.

(3) Each lever had a metal tag above and below it.  Other than the brad
holes and blurred images on YouTube, I don't know what they originally
said, size, if black on brass or nickel?  Are reproductions available,
or can someone send dimensions and photo close-ups so I can try
recreating them myself.

(4) Does anyone reproduce the ornamental wreath on the upper door?  If
not, can someone take a close-up photo and width dimensions to scale the
image by? (To replace as a clear decal, not as 3-D wood dough casting.)

(5) The "COINOLA CHICAGO" decal from the top of the upper door is gone.
Anyone know of replacements?  I don't have the size of the original nor
if it said anything more than "COINOLA" over "CHICAGO".  I have seen
that Pianodecals.com/piercepianoatlas/AffleckPiano all have the same
#114620 decal.  It's not exactly the same as was on the Cupid, but it
looks like if the wreath of coins is trimmed off, the remainder might
be approximately the same size.

(6) In the coin box was a letter to "Patrick" from "Jim Winters"
(could be Jan Winters) detailing some service work that was done to the
Coinola.  Anyone recognize those names?

(7) The lower door lock is missing the key.  It would take an Eagle flat
key #4A1.  Anyone have suggestions to obtain a replacement or can
provide an outline so I can file a blank?

Thanks all, from warm, sunny, and windy far Northern California.

Chris Galantine
Redding, California
cgalantine@shasta.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]

 [   Coinola Cupid #8463
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/20/02/18/200218_190431_DSC_2433.JPG 
 [   Sliding controls
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/20/02/18/200218_190431_DSC_2468.JPG 
 [   Replacement credit accumulator
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/20/02/18/200218_190431_DSC_2505.JPG 
 [   Repair letter from "Jim Winters" to "Patrick"
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/20/02/18/200218_190431_P1010278.JPG 

 [ Some related links:
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Gallery/Pictures/coinolaCupid.html 
 [ https://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/C/cupid.html 
 [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAn5LP953hU 
 [ -- Robbie