Clean inline gear indicator?

[Svendo]

I have on my commuter bike a DuraAce 7800 inline gear indicator (see picture)

, which I use all the time. Over the years the red bead has got quite mucky and difficult to see, especially in low light. Last cable change I tried flushing it out with GT85 and vigorous agitation but that’s not really done much. Any ideas on if you can get the tapering ends off without breaking them so I can fish the bead out and clean it?

I know these indicators are a bit marmite. But as I usually end up running the drive train into the ground, and deeply grooving the alloy hub bodies on the wheels, my shifting is more often than not a bit iffy so knowing which gear I should be in is very useful. Even when they are working well I find it’s handy not t have to look down and back when in commuter traffic.

 

[Ajax Bay]

on night rides, I've come up with the idea for little miniature floodlights to light up my gears.

Off topic: On night rides I use one of those little lights strapped to the seat tube low down (just above FD) to illuminate the cassette. Works a treat. Only push-switch it on when I feel the need; not normally. But I leave it there. Doubles as an emergency 'be seen' front light , in the 'second spare' slot.

 

[numbnuts]

I have indicators on my twist grips, but it's on my trike and can't see them, I would love to see what gears I'm in on the rear

 

[T4tomo]

I don't think I ever really look at mine, I just change up or down to to keep a decent cadence. if I'm on the 2x11 I'll knock it down to the little ring approaching or so far into a hill to make sure I'm not cross chaining, I might occasionally glance down at the front rings to check which I'm in. On the 1x10 it just a question of nudging the bar end.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Bar end shifters. Position of lever tells you all you need to know.

 

[Milkfloat]

If you know someone with an ultrasonic cleaner you could give that ago. A bit of degreaser /detergent added might shift it. I have one, but am miles from you.

 

[fossyant]

Brake cleaner, or electrical contact cleaner is very good for shifting muck !

 

[fossyant]

I've just blasted out the grit and crud out of my full suspension's drive side BB with brake cleaner. Sparkling now.

 

[Svendo]

Thanks for the input. I’ll give the electrical contact spray a go as I’ve got some of that. Failing that I can get a NOS one if I make it worse/ break it with excessive fiddling.