Holy Cow, Its a Hokoku!

[Mr_Smeggers]

Picked this one off of ebay last week, hoping to restore. The machine isn't too bad...a little water staining on the playfield, some grime, balls jammed inside. One big problem, though -- its missing the reward tray. I'll have to fabricate one up to get it working.

Nice themed playfield -- we call it "Screaming Penguin." Orange and Turquoise all around. One busted tulip. Bad front glass. the weird hole left and right of center are "bounce" pockets. Hit it just right, and the outer hole opens two tulips, inner hole opens center. I figured I put up some before shots before I start ripping it down:

Hokoku Switches.jpgHokoku tags.jpgHokoku tulips.jpgHokoku front.jpgHokoku Kanj.jpgHokoku playfield.jpgHokoku playfield detail.jpgHokoku Rear.jpg

[JACKSJE4]

Nice find!! I have always loved those Hokoku machines with the reward ball window at the top. Many years ago they were located at the bottom, like the one pictured in my avatar.

Can't wait to see your restoration progress on this one.

[Mr_Smeggers]

Well, without a correct reward tray for the back, the resto is going to fizzle into a reconditioning. Ah, the reward slide: Hokoku Prize tip.jpg

Its what caused me to buy this, even with missing parts. As soon as my Nishi A is done, this one's getting some loving.

[ackleplem]

Very nice looking machine.

[pachiwall]

I can take pics, and take measurements of the tray if you like. It seems yours has a lot of covers that mine is missing! These mechanisms are pretty FINIKY! First of all...GENUINE PACHINKO BALLS! The mechanism is VERY weight sensitive!"Do these pachinko balls make me look fat?" It has a number of quirks that have to be fine tuned. I learned much about mine by searching right here at PACHITALK! In case it contains anything useful, here is mine. http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/vintage-pachinko/40977-hokoku.html

[Mr_Smeggers]

For me, I have to adjust the 'pop' switch at the bottom -- running too tight. I understand from another hokoku owner that these sometimes take small weights to adjust.

Interesting note -- Your Hokoku has the same center attraction as my Heiwa 'Egglaying Owl' model. Heiwa C.jpg Your top tray is Identical to the Heiwa as well. I wonder if there were separate manufacturing factories for pachinko parts versus finished units.

[Mr_Smeggers]

Well, the ripdown and rebuild of the Hokoku has begun this weekend. So far, I've found a handful of balls jammed in odd places, a broken tulip, and some light water damage to the playfield. The plastic has faded to an amber color, not sure if I'm leaving the patina or bleaching yet.

Hokoku water damage.jpgHokoku ball launcher.jpgHokoku balls.jpgHokoku disassembled.jpg

The ball launch mechanism seems a little different than I'm used to.

[pachiwall]

I will be following and paying attention! i think I'll even put mine on the workbench so I can use your pics to better understand mine! If I see things that are different, i can take pics to compare.
I don't have time to restore mine right now, and quite frankly...a little intimidated by it!

[Mr_Smeggers]

The more Hokokus back in working order, the better. The biggest advice I can give so far is change every bulb right away. You have to take apart the entire upper half of the back to get at them. Better to do them once and get it over with. The launch mechanism has both a hairspring that is very fragile and a foam rubber pad that disintegrates with time. The hirspring should be cleaned of rust and then oiled to prevent further corrosion. Thats all I got so far.

[Mr_Smeggers]

Had a bit more time to do cleaning, polishing, pinstriping, and repaint of the prize ball area. Just got to reassemble and fine-tune!Hokoku attraction pinstriping.jpgHokoku Bare back chutes.jpgHokoku cleaned playfield.jpgHokoku nail cleaning.jpgHokoku rally flags.jpgHokoku replaced attractions.jpg

[Mr_Smeggers]

Its done! In the case, on the table, 3 hours play tested and working flawless. I present the Hokoku Screamin' Penguin!

Hokoku Payout 2.jpgHokoku Restored back.jpgHokoku Restored front.jpgHokoku Payout1.jpg

Pays out like mad. The ball make a loud racket bouncing off the bells on the drop -- and the flashers up top announce nicely in sequence. The ball box I fitted (until I get a lifter or a replacement tray) will hold about 1200. The machine looks like new to the uninformed, and to the experts among you you can spot the wear and some light stains on the playfield.

[pachiwall]

It is an amazing UNUSUAL mechanism! I haven't restored mine yet, just made sure it was functional. I was hoping to see some pics of the disassembly/reassembly process. If you have some internal parts pics (you know the ones...taken so you can remember where things go!) I would love to see some! I am sure no one will complain.

[Mr_Smeggers]

I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU COULD DO ME A FAVOR...take some pics of the upper rear reward tray on the inside? the wood one I cobbled tends to jam up, and I'd like to figure out where the drop holes are supposed to be.

[pachiwall]

I'll get it and take some pics after work tonight.

[gooilers]

IMG_1963.jpgIMG_1961.jpg

Hope these help. If you need another angle, please say from where.

[Mr_Smeggers]

This is perfect! I never would have guessed a 2-level load system.