🔥 Cyclone Pinball Machine Total Restoration Refurbish Williams 1988

CYCLONE IS NOT OUT OF STOCK, STILL FOR SALE.  SALE TERMS ARE CASH IN PERSON, OR WIRE ONLY.  PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY TO DISCUSS, CHECKOUT THRU OUR WEBSITE IS NOT AN OPTION AT THIS TIME, THANK YOU.

It was an honor to restore a Williams Cyclone. Like fellow enthusiasts, the journey started out with a desire to revisit happier times. As a young person, I recall playing this machine at a local arcade with my father many a time, and it created lots of fond memories. I had no idea getting into this project how much work it would be!

In summary, the goal was to recreate the best possible machine out there, and I truly believe the professional restorers really poured their hearts and souls into this project. We replaced everything we could, and upgraded whenever possible. Expense truly was a bi-product of the ultimate goal, to get it right! When I look fondly at the finished product, the following items stand out to me, but I am almost certain there are many things missing from the following summary.

Entire cabinet was disassembled, sanded, filled, refinished, resprayed, with new artwork stenciling. I must state, I have never seen another Cyclone machine with such beautifully refurbished artwork, EVER. Before going all in, I originally spent months seeking an original machine maintaining outstanding cabinet condition, but unfortunately all the remaining original machines out there had artwork that was really tattered and faded. After also unsuccessfully searching for a “reconditioned” cabinet (most hobbyists install cheap decals as opposed to stenciling) I decided to bite the bullet and to go all in on a big redo. To each their own, but cabinet artwork to me is just that, it tells a story and needs to be beautiful in presentation since many machines sit idle more than being played, and I always wanted my machines to look outstanding in their setting! It’s a bit of work, but in the end, it’s rare to come across a vintage machine in the wild this well finished. A true collectable imho, so if you appreciate ultra clean artwork then this is one to not pass up!

The playfield is entirely new. It’s a Classic Playfields Reproduction unit, highest quality level - Gold. It looks and plays outstanding.

One can also see the level of care the professional installers used when reassembling everything. The original wiring underneath the playfield is in nice shape, loomed well, and they took pride in their craft when delivering the final product, pointing out the many hours they put into the machine’s componentry and reorganization. It’s really magnificent what they achieved considering the original rat’s nest, and I can never thank them enough for the care and time they put into the project. Proof is, two+ years after the restoration it still plays flawlessly with no electrical gremlins, which plague many vintage games from this era!

Every single (available) mechanical component under the playfield has been replaced with new parts, and I mean everything (e.g. all new coils).

The entire machine has received upgraded LED lighting. Unlike many flippers who just replace LED lighting with whatever is cheap and available, a lot of time and thought went into this. For instance, if the playfield has a blue colored area, we placed blue LEDs underneath to enhance the lighting effect and boy does it pop! Also, all the white LEDs received period correct (i.e. warm light - hard to see in pics) non ghosting bulbs. This really provides a nice, warm, and period correct / vintage glow to the machines backglass and playfield. Again, very small details most restoring machines overlook in the hopes of a quick flip. Finally, every LED lights up / flashes accordingly, amazing, right!

Every single plastic that could be purchased to replace the originals was, and there are many – even the plastic spookhouse trough under the playfield was replaced! The only piece that wasn’t replaced was the cyclone plastic since it’s an unavailable item (bummer).

Every single playfield piece that could be polished, has been, or replaced with new parts. In the rare event a metallic part could not be replaced, it was refurbished or recreated from scratch.

The guys at CPR were cool enough, after me harassing them for months (lol), to take my original backglass, scan it, and then recreate the mirrored backglass that you all can purchase today. Yes, that’s right, the reproduction backglass came from this original machine! The machine obviously now sports the mirrored CPR backglass, and those of you who upgraded can personally attest to how beautiful of a job CPR did, outstanding.

The display panel was upgraded to XPin, orange. It’s a marvelous upgrade compared to the original and will greatly outlast the old unit. Best yet its low voltage so you will not shock yourself. Also, the plastic speaker display panel is brand new and flawless.

Mounted on top of the machine is a custom, one-of-a-kind, Williams LED etched logo topper. Comes with remote and toggles between a multitude of colors to suite your fancy.

The AA batteries have been removed inside the back glass in favor of the microchip upgrade so as to not create battery leakage, which can result in permanent damage to the motherboard as we all know, yikes! Also, the motherboard is in outstanding condition, no flaws.

The speaker system has been upgraded to PinBall Pros system, with the premium upgrade, and wow – the callouts are excellent and clear as day!

Playfield glass has been upgraded to Invisiglass, non-glare. Makes a great difference when you play or even just for displaying your machine, really clears up light reflection from above.

There are hundreds of little things that received attention too, like the serial number decals being accurately reproduced, custom lock bar plastic handle cover, refurbished coin mechs, new coin entry / reject buttons, new locks for coin doors and back glass, polished side rails and lock bar, custom powder coated ball trough, all new matching black rubbers on the playfield, new flippers, custom one off shooter rod, new playfield hinges, black powder coated legs, new diagnostic switch assembly, new flipper buttons, custom one of a kind 3D printed / Cyclone Rollercoaster above pinball shooting lane, custom spookhouse LED plus custom made plastic rebound / ball kickback guard, stainless steel playfield hangers, all new coils, new fuses, new backglass lift channels, new playfield target decals, shooter lane kickout guard, new nuts / fasteners, new ramps, metal ramp protectors, custom apron instruction cards, etc.

Again, I really can’t put into words how much went into the machine, many months. We literally had boxes of NOS parts ordered from all over the world, basically whatever we could find and order online, we ordered, and replaced on the machine. Total overkill, but that was the idea, to be one of the best representations possible of a Cyclone.

Perhaps most importantly, everything, and I mean everything mechanically on this machine functions! It’s often overstated by sellers, but I really do believe this is one of, if not the best Cyclone machines out there. If you are a serious collector, or have been waiting years for that well sorted machine, I would implore you to seriously consider this opportunity. I am a private collector and really don’t see anything like this coming to market for a very long time. I am very happy to talk over the phone and show the machine in person, and highly credible.

This is simply an outstanding machine that will have zero disappointments for the new owner. Those who are passionate about pinball, like me, know that I have a lot into this machine, so I truly hope the value is there for another enthusiast who genuinely appreciates everything our restoration team put into this project. 

I have seen a few “restorations” of vintage machines in my day, and whether this Cyclone was my personal machine, or someone else’s, I would easily place this in the top tier category in terms of the care, quality, and time put into the refurbishment to help onlookers from afar qualify the level of detail and love put into this project. 

Perhaps it may never sell, and I guess that’s ok with me deep down, but I hope there is at least a few of you out there that appreciate what the Cyclone represents, a great machine, made at the crossroads of simplicity, and just before the next generation of complicated mechanicals, multiballs, etc. This is such a basic, yet pleasurable machine to pick up and just play, without all the headaches of modern pinball. 

I hope the asking price (NO TRADES PLEASE) seems understandable to another collector, knowing there were seemingly innumerable hours put into this. It might honestly take some time to find its new home, and that’s again okay with me, I really just want to know someone out there truly respects all the effort and it goes into a solid collection. 😊

The following addendum has been included to help those newer to the world of vintage machine restoration. Like others, I had to learn this is a detailed process that takes many months. This also commands patience, trust in your professional restorer, and seemingly countless resources and research.

Below is a summary of the primary restoration steps (and cost ranges) one will likely need to consider when establishing a realistic budget.

You will first need to locate a reasonable condition donor machine. I also recommend obtaining a professional evaluation of any said machine before purchasing. Condition can vary widely, but in the case of a nearly four decades young Cyclone, plan to spend $3000-$4000 for one that's not beyond a logical starting point, including a nominal fee for a professional to evaluate and ensure its a viable candidate for restoration.

Next, you will need to locate a reputable restorer of choice. Having been in the hobby for years, I am happy to help my fellow enthusiasts, so if you want me to provide the names of a few good sources I will gladly do so. In terms of labor cost, most professional restoration projects range from $6000-$8000. Again, this is the cost for labor only. The lower end typically represents a decent starting platform with little to no cabinet work and higher end represents a rougher starting platform in need of full cabinet restoration (like our Cyclone needed), moderate playfield rework etc. There are circumstances where it can be slightly higher than those figures (e.g. full playfield swap - again, like the Cyclone needed).

One will also need to factor in shipping costs, both to the restorer's facility and return shipment when the project is completed. This can obviously vary greatly depending on distance, but safely plan on $800-$1000 total since most restores will be some distance from you. There can also be supplemental part runs that will cost both time and labor, so cushion your project budget accordingly.

Then comes parts, parts, and more parts, lol. There are essentially two elements to this process, sourcing time (labor) and the actual material costs. Again, it really depends on how much your project needs and how organized you are upfront in terms of obtaining a decent donor machine. Plan on parts ranging $3000-$4000 or more if major components (like a cooked or discontinued motherboard) are in need of replacement. Wiring can also be a significant challenge, so again, I implore anyone going into a 30-50 year old restoration project to do so with education, caution, and skilled oversight by a professional restorer, otherwise your parts cost can rapidly spiral out of control.

Finally, plan for the unplanned. There will almost certainly be a few unexpected surprises, such as new parts breaking upon install, original parts missing and needing custom fabrication, and simple change orders as things start coming together whether they be initial planning parts oversights, or labor overruns. Its recommended one builds in $500-$1000 or a little more into the initial budget just to be on the safe side and plan for those little surprises that are bound to happen.

In the end I find the world of high-quality restoration very interesting. Some will say why restore this machine versus that machine. I like this one, you like that one, etc. Others will also state, I know an (unprofessional) hobbyist that can duplicate your machine for thousands less. In any case, best of luck and whatever works for you, great!!!

At the end of the day, it's really about what you enjoy. Labor and parts costs are relatively constant. Open market prices (for non-restore machines) are also relatively constant, but entirely irrelevant when you enter into the world of high restoration at a professional level. In this arena, value is harder to pin down since there may never be another vintage restoration completed to a similar standard on a machine you desire, and who really cares what your neighbor wants, that's their prerogative. At the end of the day, each high quality, vintage restoration I've had the privilege of seeing brings a smile to my face, whether I like the machine’s theme or not. This is because each restoration reminds me of how extremely special this hobby is and how lucky we are to have the few, remaining skilled craftsmen out there willing to take on ventures to recreate past memories.

In closing, I would advise anyone thinking they can do this on their own, or hiring a part time hobbyist, to seriously think otherwise. Not only is time a huge factor, but I cringe every time I witness a "restored" machine that was hacked together by some shade tree individual with slight mechanical skills just to save money. As time continues to pass, these vintage machines are becoming rarer by the day, and while I respect those trying to save a dollar here and there, please consider not doing so at the expense of potentially taking a possible restoration into the realm of wreckage and utter dismay. These seemingly good intentioned folks, who claim their "resorted machines" are now budget friendly and worth several thousand dollars are anything but comparably restored, and buying a machine, like this, could set you all the way back to step one, and perhaps even further in the event the individual hacked their way through the project. Ultimately the choice is clearly a buyers when searching for a machine, but hobbyist "restorations" in this price point will undoubtfully lead to disaster in my experience, so please don't do this to yourself. Listen to a wise man for a moment, more often in life you get what you pay for, so please heed this kind advise whether you decide to purchase my machine or anyone else's, do not make cost centricity your primary focus, that will likely take you down an undesirable path.

Best wishes with whatever project you decide to embark upon, I hope you enjoyed reading my journey with the Cyclone, and perhaps some of the kind advise offered above will prove beneficial.