Please view these information tabs to help with determining the proper parts for your clock.
Repair Parts
The most common Cuckoo Clock Repair Parts sold are the bellow tops and the hands.
The bellow tubes are usually good to reuse on the clock, just the bellow tops have cloth that rip over time and therefore the clock will not cuckoo the time out.
Repairing cuckoo bellows
If the cloth is torn, you do not need to replace the entire cuckoo bellows. You can use only the bellow tops instead.
If replacing just the bellow tops it makes things easier to get the correct size for the clock.
To get the proper bellow tops measure the length and width of the top only. Snap off the old tops off of the bellow tubes and clean the surface with a knife, then epoxy the new tops on the same way. Then transfer the cuckoo lift rings from the old tops to the new ones and its done.

Cuckoo Clock Repair
The help section can help with many of the most common issues the clock may have. We also have the cuckoo clock movements for post 1950 German made units. This is about 80 percent of the cuckoos out in the world so chances are we have the movement you need.
If the movement is worn out and is post 1950 its just as well to get the new one instead of restoring the old one.
The process of the movement restoration is time consuming and therefore expensive.
When the new movement is 100-200 dollars and will last a lot longer than the best restoration.
New cuckoo clock movement not striking
When the new cuckoo clock movement will not go into striking mode for the hours. The bird will not come out and the clock will not indicate what time it is with the cuckoo call. Here are some guidelines on what to check in this situation.
Latch the cuckoo door
There is a wire above the cuckoo door. This closes and locks into place.This is for either shipping the clock and also for chime shut off.
It is a small wire that stops the door. You just turn it either in the way or out of the way of the door. Be sure it is out of the way so the door can open and it can cuckoo.
Check the silence lever
There may be a silence lever if the cuckoo movement has one. The location of this would be on the side of the cuckoo clock movement and stick outside of the clock case.
Push it down for cuckoo on and up for cuckoo shut off usually. Just move it to the opposite direction and see if the clock will strike out the cuckoo calls.
If the movement has a silence switch that does not stick outside of the case it may still be on the movement itself. Just look at the back of the clock with the back panel off and may see the silence switch.
See a lever on the right as facing the back of the movement on the top side. Not all cuckoos have this feature as the manufacturer, silence the cuckoo just by locking the bird door.
Clock chain resistance
Be sure nothing is in the way of the chain that drives the striking side of the cuckoo clock. One weight controls the time and the other the strike.
If the chain is rubbing anything like the hole in the bottom of the cuckoo case it will be just like not having enough weight to make it run.
The chain that holds the weight should be straight from the ratchet wheel and down without rubbing anything. Also the side of the chain that there is no weight on can't be caught up on anything also.
This is the side that pull to raise the weight on the other side of the chain loop.
Bellow lift wires in the way
On a new cuckoo clock movement install you have to bend the lift wires so they do not get caught up on each other. During the travel up to lift the bellows they could be hitting each other and creating resistance.
These just get bent this way or that way so they can go up and down with the bellow tops. If the bellow tops are broken or torn it can cause this to happen also.
Bird arm position
The arm that the bird rests on could be bent in a way that it is trying to go forward too much. Therefore it hits the front of the clock case instead of in a position where it just opens the door.
The intent is for it to open the cuckoo door only and not hit the front of the clock case. It will only cuckoo if the bird arm is able to be all the way forward with no resistance.
Cuckoo door opening wire
If this wire is too long it will try to open the bird door too much. With the bird door open too much it will not be able to start the cuckoo strike.
The solution is to make the door wire shorter or put a bend in it. Putting a bend in this wire so its sort of a hump instead of straight will be the same thing as making it shorter.
Cuckoo Clock Not Striking Conclusion
If the cuckoo will not go into striking mode is caused by resistance. There is only like 4 or 5 gears that have to spin around to make the clock cuckoo. If there is any resistance for this to happen it will not function.
These 4 -5 gears need to spin to have the bellows lift and open the cuckoo door at the same time. There is much action that is dictated by these few gears spinning, any resistance in any part will stop it from working.
Installing cuckoo clock hands
Installing the cuckoo clock hands bought from clockworks.com starts with removing the old hands.
Removing the old cuckoo hands
To remove the cuckoo hands will only need a pair of needle nose pliers.
While holding the minute hand still (longer of the two hands) while loosening the minute hand nut with the pliers. Turning the hand nut in the counter clockwise direction while holding the hand still, it will loosen up. Now you can turn it with your fingers and it will come right off.
The cuckoo minute hand bushing
With the minute hand off it will expose a round bushing that has a square hole in it. This bushing may or may not come off with the minute hand, in fact it maybe stuck in the hand itself.
If the bushing is stuck in the hand just remove it by prying up and off with a flat screwdriver. Hour hand is next and is only a friction fit. Twist it and pull at the same time and it will come off.
Install the hour hand
Hour hand is first by a twist and push at the same time, it is only a friction fit. The tube it goes on is tapered although it may not be noticeable. So the more you twist the hour hand and push down at the same time, the tighter it will be on the clock. Do not worry about having it point to the right time yet, we will do that later.
Now put the minute hand on (the longer of the two hands). Put this on the bushing and the ridges will somewhat lock it into place in the hole of the hand. Next is the hand nut which goes onto the hand shaft where the threads are on the tip.
This will sandwich the minute hand between the bushing and its nut. Now it’s time to set the hands to point to the correct time when the clock cuckoo’s.
Install the minute hand
Next put the brass bushing with the square hole in it, on the clocks hand shaft arbor’s square portion. The flat side of the hand bushing will go toward the clock dial. The side with the ridge on it will point outward.
Setting the cuckoo strike
After the install of the cuckoo clock minute hand we need them to point to the right place. Putting the hands in a position to point to the right place when it cuckoos the hour. Put the clock up on the wall and turn the minute hand to make the clock cuckoo out the top of the hour.
Count the number of cuckoo’s the clock sounds out and point the hour hand to that number. For example, if there were 6 cuckoos point the hour hand to the six. The minute hand gets loosened some so you can turn it to the 12 to represent the top of the hour.
Tighten the minute hand nut while holding it still at the 12. Now just check the next hour and see if it will point to the correct spots when it cuckoos again.
Cuckoo Strike Quantity Issues
Issues with the strike quantity on a cuckoo clock is a common ailment upon setting up a new movement. The clock will strike 12 o’clock and then 12 again at 1 o’clock or something like this. This has to do with the mechanical components behind the clock dial.
Remove the hands and dial to get to that section of the cuckoo movement.
Remove the hands
To remove the cuckoo hands you need a pair of needle nose pliers. Hold the minute hand still (longer of the two hands) while loosening the minute hand nut.
Once the nut is loose, just turn to the left until it is off. Then the minute hand will come off with its round bushing that has a square hole in it. Remove the bushing out of the minute hand when it’s off of the clock.
It is only a friction fit, just push it out or pry it out of the hand with a flat screwdriver. Hour hand is only a friction fit so twist it and pull.
Remove the dial
Removing the dial is done after the hands are off. There is anywhere between 2 and 4 small nails holding the cuckoo dial on the clock. Sometimes, on rare occasions, the dial is glued to the clock case. Either way, it is the same method to remove the dial.
Take a small flat head screwdriver and lift gently on the dial on one side and then the other until little by little it will come up and off the case.
Component description
Once the dial is off of the clock please notice the saw tooth rack. The rack looks like a saw with sharp teeth and it flops up and down in the front of the movement. It falls down on a snail looking thing that is on the same tube as the hour hand.
In other words the smaller of the two hands that points out the hour is also on this same tube as the snail. A rack and snail count system these components determine how many times it will cuckoo each hour.
How it works
There are at least 12 saw looking teeth on the rack, one tooth per hour totaling at least 12. The rack will fall onto the portions of the snail then moves back up one tooth at a time. Each tooth that climbs back up lets the strike train run for that time duration.
That time duration of the strike wheels spinning will allow the clock to cuckoo one time. The lowest portion of the snails humps would be 12 strikes for 12 o'clock. This is because the lowest hump on the snail will expose 12 teeth on the rack.
Correcting Cuckoo Strike Quantity Issues
If there is any Cuckoo Strike Quantity Issues, the issue is in this area. The best thing to do is to make it strike over and over as looking at these components in action.
There is usually no parts to buy to fix this and it’s usually just a matter of tweaking something here or there to let the rack fall as it should and when it should.
Something to note is that if it strikes ONE and TWELVE ok, then the snail is on correctly and the rest of the hours will automatically be ok. So the goal is to be sure the clock strikes the 12 times ok and then the one o’clock also. This will solve the Cuckoo Strike Quantity Issues.
Cuckoo clock door stuck open
Upon installation of a new cuckoo clock movement this is a common issue. The Cuckoo clock door stuck open could be a number of things. Please check the following to see if it solves the issue of the door not closing all the way.
Weights not heavy enough
If the pine cone weight that controls the cuckoo portion of the clock is not heavy enough this can be the issue. Pull down some on that weight and see if the door shuts.
If you check all of the below issues, and the door only shuts when pulling the weight down, consider adding a heavier weight. It maybe the wrong pine cone weight to begin with.
Needs Oil
The cuckoo clock movement may need oiling at least on the arms that make the bird go in and out of its house.
Also, it is good to put a drop of clock oil on the door hinges and the connections for the wire that goes from the bird to the door.
Bending the door wire
Try bending up the wire that goes from the bird to the Cuckoo clock door. If putting an upward hump of a bend in this wire, it will basically be the same as shortening this wire.
With a bent or shorter wire, the bird will not come out as far, but also the bird will pull the door shut more when it goes back in the clock case to sleep.
Bird wires bent
The arm that pushes the arm to make the bird come out, may need to get bent inward some. This may be tricky to see or get to, but sometimes there is a small side door on the side of the cuckoo clock case that can open and see this wire, or arm, that pushes the arm that connects to the bird.
Other times there is no door on the side of the case and need to do it from the back of the movement by taking the back panel off of the cuckoo case.
Correcting a bent bird wire
When looking at the back of the movement, this arm will be in a horizontal direction on the back right hand side of the clock movement.
Right as looking at the back of the movement that is.
In some cuckoos this is even trickier to see or adjust as the right hand bellow tube maybe in the way. Remove it if this is the case.
Locate this horizontal wire that is in the approximate middle of the movement, which is on the strike train side. This is the wire that can get bent.
This bending in of the wire more into the movement, will in turn make the door come out more. If bent out some toward the case side, will allow the bird to go in more and therefore the door will shut more.
Disconnecting the bellows
The lift wires travel from the movement up to the flaps of the old bellow tops.
Furthermore, these wires are taken off in order to remove the cuckoo bellows.
Usually this is done by opening the loop on the lower end of the lift wire. This is where it connects to the movement's lift arm.
Use a small flat head screwdriver to twist open the loop on the wire.

Removing the cuckoo bellows
Usually, one flat head screw holds the bellow tops in the clock. The screw goes into the bellow tube. This would be on the side of the cuckoo clock case.
Subsequently, each side has a bellow tube and therefore each side has a screw. This is providing the bellows do not have adhesive on them.
Once the screw is out of the tube, pry it off with a small screwdriver. Generally speaking, use the screwdriver because there is still one small nail holding it in place.
It is most certainly small enough so it simply pops off. As always, be careful not to damage the clock case when doing these things.

Installing the cuckoo wires
The first step is to install the eye loop wire into the new bellow tops. In essence, in the same manner as the old ones.
Second, drill a small pilot hole into the Cuckoo Clock Bellow Tops. Shove the eye loop into the hole with needle nose pliers.
Next work on the bird tail lift wire. Mount the bird tail lift wire the exact same way.
It is best to get the cuckoo clock wire assortment with the tops. This way, there will be extra wires in case one breaks or twists.

Removing old cuckoo bellow tops
The old cuckoo bellow tops will just snap off the tubes. The top of the tube will have some old glue stuck which has to be carefully taken off with a knife.
Just carefully scrape it off until it is smooth. This way it has a nice, flat surface for the new tops. You will new epoxy as well for the installation of the new tops.
Clear 5 minute epoxy mixes A with B and is great for this project. The regular epoxy is also fine. Any epoxy that dries fast will do the job. After all, it doesn't have to be anything fancy.
After scraping the tops smooth, the epoxy will adhere well. If old epoxy is leftover, the bumps will make the new tops not stick as well.

Installing new cuckoo bellow tops
Once the epoxy is on the tops, either place them upside down to dry or clamp them. Clamping them is the best, however if you do not have them then turning them upside down is the next option.
Most importantly, the bellows have to be able to open without resistance.
This means there needs to be a gap between the flap that closes of the bellow top and the front of the tube. If this small gap is not there, the bellow will jam on the side of the clock case upon opening.
The top needs to be in the exact position as the old one was. As a result, it will be able to blow air into the hole that is in the top of the tube. This is so it will not rub anything.
Cuckoo Clock Weights
Cuckoo clock weights are in the form of pine cones. These are sold in gram weight and this gram amount usually has a stamp on the weight itself. Cuckoo clocks all take the same weight for all the chains with only a few exceptions.The exceptions being multiple animation on some 8 day cuckoo clocks and so it is not the usual situation. If a clock weight is missing, all that you need to do is match the same gram amount of another weight that goes to the same clock.
Cuckoo identification in summery
The Regula cuckoo clock company of Germany produces, by far, the most cuckoo movements post 1950 than any other factory. In fact it would be about 80 percent chance that if someone has a cuckoo clock made after 1950 it would be Regula.The clock can be made by any name of any German maker of cuckoo clocks, however it will still be a Regula cuckoo clock movement. This is because they made movements for many producers of clock cases.
Regula clock weights specifications
Regula cuckoo clock movements are easy to identify. On the back of the movement there is a stamp on the brass back plate that says Regula. If the cuckoo clock is made after 1950 it is a good chance it is Regula. They produce one day cuckoo clocks and 8 day cuckoo clocks.These clocks can have either two or three cuckoo clock weights on the clock. Regula one day units take 2 or 3 weights and calls for 275 gram weights by default.
Regula 8 day cuckoo clocks take 2 or 3 cuckoo clock weights that are 1260 grams by default. However on the 8 day cuckoos, the factory made the change where the default cuckoo clock weights amount from 1260 grams to 1500 grams eventually.
Deviating from the specifications
A post 1950 cuckoo clock made by Regula has the clock movement still available brand new. Instead of doing a repair and bushings to the old movement, it makes much more sense to replace it with a brand new one.This is a suggestion because it is not such a bad thing to add a little more weight than what the above is calling for. To put 320 gram cuckoo clock weights on a one day cuckoo that is suppose to take 275 gram cuckoo clock weights is sometimes a good idea.
When to add heavier weights
To get a few more years out of the clock before replacing the movement is reasonable and not taboo in this situation. In fact, to reiterate, even the factory went from 1260 to 1500 on the 8 day cuckoos themselves.So if the clock is close to its end anyway and a replacement movement needs to be put off, it may be a good thing to have heavier cuckoo clock weights. It can make the movement run for a few more years before having to swap it due to absolute necessity for it to function. Simple tricks such as this can prolong the inevitable, however there is no getting around a new unit as some point in time.
I have a frecently purchased cuckoo clock from Triberg. The movement keeps good time but will not work properly when the sound is set to ON. Once set to ON, the hands stick when at 5 minutes before the hour. Moving the minute hand forward, it feels as if there is not enough pressure from the movement to start the cuckoo and the music that plays on the hour. The clock works perfectly at the half hour. I have tried increasing the weight on the chain taht drives the escapement but that has no effect yet. Should I sendf the clock back to the shop or might there be an easier solution?.
Yes it needs service / adjustment. Factory is best in hopes it will be of no cost
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I bought a used 1 day, 3 weight (320gm) cockoo clock. The cockoo sound is extremely fast, what size weight would make it sound normal?
It can go as light as 275 grams, however it sounds like the fan / fly on the top of the strike train is loose. Movement comes out to correct, and at that point it is best to swap the movement out with the new one. Chances are the movement itself only takes two weights and there is a music box for the other weight. Please email pics of the movement to clockworks@clockworks.com for accurate identification for a new movement
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I just bought a used one day clock and no matter where I slide the leaf on the pendulum it runs fast. Up is really fast but all the way down is still fast. It has 275?cones and all works well except for the speed…. About 2 hours faster over a 24 hour period. I don’t know what to do.
Sounds like the wrong CM movement is installed in the clock case. Needs a longer pendulum, or wire the pendulum hangs on.
We have longer pendulum sticks at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/pendulum-stick-only-for-cuckoo-clocks
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I recently inherited a Herbert Herr Triberg cuckoo clock (not musical), I think it’s a 1 day wind. The weights are missing and the minute hand has broken off. There’s no serial number or year of manufacture that I can find. How do I determine what size weights I need?
Does this one say anything like KW60 or KW80 on the back of it?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Only one of my cone weights descends. Why?
Sounds like the cuckoo is not striking out the cuckoo calls. Please see if the silent switch is on OFF, it would be a lever on your left as you face the front of the clock coming out the side, if you have this feature.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
It was! Thank you!
I have a Black Forest Cuckoo Clock, new in 1977. I’ve had it refurbished 1-2 years ago, and still works, but the cuckoo-ing is very fast. I find that if I lessen the weight, the cuckoo-ing slows to a reasonable pace. But would need a 6 oz weight. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hi,
What are the markings on the back plate of the movement, so we can determine the best weights for this one?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Beautiful product!
Great quality, thanks.
Thank you in advance. I have a chalet cuckoo clock with out weights. It has the cuckoo bird that comes out along with the dancers that go in a circle in and out of the clock. Can someone plz
Tell me what weights I need to get. It takes three. Thank you
If it is a one day clock, use the 275gram weights
James
My cuckoo clock has the 2 weight system and I bought 2 of the 275 grams weights but doesn’t the one weight need to be heavier?
No, not on that one. both the same weights
We have cuckoo clock parts and bellows at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/clock-parts/cuckoo-clock-parts.html
We have cuckoo clock repair help at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/clock-repair/clock-repair-help-4.html
James
I need to replace the three cones on my clock. They were lost during the move! I don’t know how to choose the right ones, can you help me?
Is this a one day cuckoo clock?
https://www.clockworks.com/product/cuckoo-clock-movement-regula-25
Or an 8 day clock?
https://www.clockworks.com/product/regula-34-cuckoo-clock-movement
Does it take three weights or two? See there are both styles available in cuckoo clocks
https://www.clockworks.com/product-category/clock-movements/mechanical-movements/cuckoo-clock-movement
If you have one cuckoo weight, see the gram amount on one of them, and order the same one at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/cuckoo-clock-weight
We have cuckoo clock parts and bellows at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/clock-parts/cuckoo-clock-parts.html
We have cuckoo clock repair help at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/clock-repair/clock-repair-help-4.html
James
Do you sell pendulum’s, and hands also for cuckoo clocks
Cuckoo clock pendulums
https://www.clockworks.com/?post_type=product&s=Cuckoo+clock+pendulum
Cuckoo clock hands
https://www.clockworks.com/?post_type=product&s=Cuckoo+clock+hands
My cuckoo clock weights don’t seem heavy enough to keep it running when u add more weight it runs?
Clocks that need heavier weights as it ages i find they just need cleaning and oiled.
This is true !
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My clock won’t stop cuckooing. If I pull on the chain as it is doing this, it will engage and stop??
We have cuckoo clock parts and bellows at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/clock-parts/cuckoo-clock-parts.html
We have cuckoo clock repair help at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/clock-repair/clock-repair-help-4.html
Just purchased a American Cuckoo Clock……not sure of orig date. Only thing I see inside is made in Germany. On the back it says “How to hang a cuckoo clock”. Maybe from the 20’s! I need a pendulum and weights. Help !!! I can send a photo
Hi,
From here it maybe hard to tell what weights are to be on the cuckoo clock. Prior to 1950 there was less standardization in components utilized on these units. We can certainly take a look and see if we can help however. Best to email a pic or two to us at clockworks@clockworks.com. Need to see the back of the cuckoo clock with the back off of it, so the movement is visible.
Also it would be good to know if this clock is a one day cuckoo or 8 day if this is known.
Cuckoo weights
https://www.clockworks.com/product/cuckoo-clock-weight
Cuckoo pendulums
https://www.clockworks.com/?post_type=product&s=Cuckoo+pendulum
Cuckoo clock parts and bellows at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/clock-parts/cuckoo-clock-parts.html
Cuckoo clock repair help at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/clock-repair/clock-repair-help-4.html
I have a coo coo clock that was a wedding gift sent from Germany 50 years ago. I just waited 6 mos. for a Mennonite gentleman to repair. He cleaned it and replaced a couple parts but it won’t stay running. It’s an 8 day clock. If I pull on the weights it will stay running. The minute I let go it stops. Could it need heavier weights? I can’t find the weight on the cone . They each weigh 2.4 pounds. Would heavier weights work?or any suggestions. My husband has passed and this has special meaning. Thank you
Should be 1500 grams and that is 3 1/4 lbs, from this link – usually
https://www.clockworks.com/product/cuckoo-clock-weight
James
My very old cuckoo Clock has been brought back to life by a friend. There are three weights on the clock. All weights are the 275 gram weight. However, we find that the cuckoo sound is very fast and the music playing is fast as well. Having the works reworked at this time is not in the question. We have determined that the 250 gram weights slow the bird sound and the music to more pleasing levels. Are the 250 gram weights the same physical size as the 275 gram weights? I can literally drill out some of the insides of the 275 gram weights to get them to the 250 gram level, or I can just buy a couple of 250 gram weights. Thinking about all the weights looking the same size. Thanks. John Knoy
My weight has 276 what should I order?
Chances are it says 275 and looks like a 6 because of the stamp.
Please order the 275 gram cuckoo clock weights
I need 3 weights for my cuckoo clock. It is a e. Schmeckenbecher #7313 chalet dancers with weather waltz 2. But i don’t know if the three weights are all the same or which weights i really need any help would be great.
Please email some pics of the back of the cuckoo, with its back off, to us so I can ID the movement and provide weight specs. Email to clockworks@clockworks.com
James
Thanks James i have emailed the pictures let me know if you need anything else or different photos
Hi Justin, what weights did you end up needing? I have the same issue with the same clock. Thanks!
Is that one a one day clock or an 8 day clock? It matters and the other customers cuckoo clock may not be the same. Best to email some pics of the movement to clockwork@clockworks.com
James
What do the letters SCH indicate next to the 320gm stamp on the weight?
I really do not know the answer, but it does not matter for the clock.
James
Are the cuckoo clock weights sold in pairs of 2 or is it a single weight?
The cuckoo clock weights are sold individually.
Many Thanks !
James and Donna Stoudenmire http://www.clockworks.com 124 Goss Hill = UPS Mailing PO Box 339 = USPS Mailing Huntington, MA 01050 USA clockworks@clockworks.com
Virus-free.
http://www.avg.com
Virus-free.
http://www.avg.com
I have 2 different size weights for my cuckoo clock does it matter what side I put them?
Heavy on your right as you face the clock
What is the measurement of the weight (L x W)
We have different sizes and weights – if you go to the following link you will see a drop down menu where you can make a selection of what pound weight you want. Once you do this, you will see the dimensions of that particular weight.
https://www.clockworks.com/product/polished-clock-weight
How do I find out which weight my clock needs to operate properly
how do I find weight my clock.?
If this is a one day cuckoo clock that is older, the 320 gram is best.
If this is an 8 cuckoo clock, the 1500 gram is best.
James
I see the question = How do I find out which weight my clock needs to operate properly
Is your clock made before 1950 or after?
Before that time, things are not easy. After 1950 we only need a pic of the movement itself (the back side) emailed to us at clockworks@clockworks.com
Or just go to this link and its all explained https://www.clockworks.com/product/cuckoo-clock-weight
James
Many Thanks !
James and Donna Stoudenmire http://www.clockworks.com 124 Goss Hill = UPS Mailing PO Box 339 = USPS Mailing Huntington, MA 01050 USA clockworks@clockworks.com
Virus-free.
http://www.avg.com
Virus-free.
http://www.avg.com
What is the stamp on the back plate of the cuckoo clock movement?