Soprani bass coupler question

[jollyrogeraccordions]

Hello
The bass couplers on a Paolo Soprani 72 bass were jammed. Also a couple of bits were floating around inside (??).
Here are some pix. The long slider was bent (near the pencil point) so I straightened it and the couplers work.
https://goo.gl/photos/mLhKCy9oXzXTRhvz8
But I suspect there is something missing...possibly a spring mechanism to prevent the slider moving without some pressure on the coupler button. So Id fix it if I knew what was missing. Possibly the flat spring shaped part (in the other photo)...but the slider is very flimsy and maybe that is how it got bent in the first place. Anyone throw any light..got a picture of a complete Soprani coupler. I may just leave it as it is or improvise a spring...

 

[JIM D.]

Yes there should be 3 hold downs for the slides
Where are you located ??

 

[jollyrogeraccordions]

In the UK, near Andover.

 

[JIM D.]

I you were in the US I would send you parts. Unfortunately postage to send you parts will be 10 times the value of the parts.
Find a UK dealer that sells and service's Paolo Soprani accordions.

 

[jollyrogeraccordions]

How big are they Jim? The postage can't be that much.
I'll check with Allodi in London...

 

[JIM D.]

Allodi should have what you need. It's only a small clip.
Your parts should still be in the accordion. Have you checked the folds in the bellows ??

 

[jollyrogeraccordions]

Are the parts shown in one of the pix the right ones? I need to see a picture of a complete assembly..

 

[JIM D.]

Now please don't think I'm putting you off on sending you some parts - but you see if I send you some small parts that only cost $1.50 USD - the cost for me to mail it to the UK will be $59.95 USD. Now not only the cost but, the parts will have to go customs and the package might be opened to determine the VAT you will be charged.
Now I don't make the rules - it's the politicians we (on both sides of the pond) put in office.

 

[jollyrogeraccordions]

Hey Jim. Wow, I see what you mean! I'll do more research this end. If I can get a look at what is missing then I know what i am looking for. I have an account with Carini in Italy and they have all sorts of register components... but I don't know what it looks like...could you send me a picture of the part please?
As a matter of interest, when importing from non-EU countries there is no VAt (tax) on goods under the value of £15 and no customs duty on items where the combined goods value and postage/packing is under £135.
The sticking point then is the shocking cost of postage. Presumably the hold-down will go in an envelope and yet it still costs nearly $60 for postage. Eek!

 

[jollyrogeraccordions]

I've updated the photo album (in the first post in this thread) with what looks like a working assembly. I'm not convinced it is complete though.

 

[JIM D.]

In your last pic's - that's the way it's supposed to look.
Straighten the slides - wipe all the parts with a light coat of lube (WD-40) and re-assemble.
Did you check the interior of the box for missing parts ??

 

[jollyrogeraccordions]

Hi Jim,
Yes I found the second part of the spring assembly in the bellows then figured it out I've been testing it and it seems to work ok now. But the spring assemble is only held together by the flat slider, which seems a bit flimsy. But there it is. Thank you v much for your help!