As Sinclair home computers such as the ZX Spectrum, and Sinclair QL are now all over 20 years old, the main problem with keeping them running is the availability of keyboard membranes.

These are a small plastic sheet containing micro switches which fits underneath the keyboard and detects all keypresses, converting them into electrical signals for the computer's motherboard to interpret which keys have been pressed by the user (including key combinations). The problem is that whenever you open a computer case, you can easily damage the membrane (as can normal usage), particularly as the membranes become brittle over time whether in use or not - they are affected by Ultraviolet light and also by heat, so even older stocks can be dubious.

Generally the first sign of problems is when one or two of the keys no longer work. This can of course be devastating, depending upon the key in question. Some users also experience what is known as "key bounce" where pressing a key once either does not work or repeats the character many times.

When purchasing second hand machines, you will find that many simply state that they have been shown to display the start-up screen - potential buyers beware and ask the seller to confirm in writing that all of the keys have been tested and proven to work.

Over the years various replacements have been made, including full size keyboards - although many people (especially collectors) prefer to keep the look and feel of the original Sinclair computer.

If you are looking for keyboard membranes for the ZX Spectrum +2 and +3 or the Amstrad CPC +464 etc Computers, then please visit our trading partner, Tradeinpost, who stock these.

** All of our membranes are recently manufactured and come complete with easy to follow fitting instructions. **

Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Keyboard Membranes

Although first sold in 1980 and 1981, there are still plenty of people who use the Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 (or collect them) and believe it or not, the ZX81s are still available brand new in kit form !!

However, if you need spares, these are few and far between.

We are now selling brand new replacement Sinclair ZX81 Keyboard Membranes, with the integrated touch keyboard (see below to order). These will also fit the Timex-Sinclair TS-1000 computer.

We have now produced a limited edition production run of Sinclair ZX80 replacement keyboard membranes - these form an adhesive layer, which sticks to the switches built into the Sinclair ZX80's motherboard.

Sinclair ZX80 Keyboard MANUFACTURED 2010**	£25.00
Sinclair ZX81 / Timex Sinclair TS1000 Keyboard membrane MANUFACTURED 2011**	£10.00
Sinclair ZX81 Molex Keyboard Connectors These are the two connectors into which the keyboard membrane tails push on the motherboard. Can be useful if yours are broken, missing or two wide to hold the Keyboard Membrane!	£4.50

Timex Sinclair 1500 (TS 1500) Keyboard Membranes

The Timex Sinclair 1500 was basically the Sinclair ZX81 put into a standard Sinclair ZX Spectrum case (rubber key type) for the North American market. The good news is that because it uses the same case (although Silver rather than black), TS 1500 users can fix a non-working keyboard quite easily - they can use the standard ZX Spectrum (rubber key) keyboard membrane.

Timex Sinclair TS1500 Replacement Keyboard Membranes for sale

Timex Sinclair 1500 keyboard membrane
** MANUFACTURED 2011

£8.50

Sinclair ZX Spectrum Keyboard Membranes and Keyboard Templates

Replacement membranes for the ZX Spectrum are much more widely available. Current stocks have been made using the latest manufacturing techniques and are much more resilient to ultraviolet light and heat, as well as being much more difficult to damage (unless you take a pair of scissors to them). They are thus of a higher standard than the original membranes and also those which are available from certain other stockists on the continent.

Unfortunately, the method of fitting the replacement to the standard rubber key Sinclair ZX Spectrum (from 1984) and the Timex Sinclair 1500 involves removing the metal face plate (or keyboard template) which surrounds the keys - often this is bent or dented as a result. .

There are two types of keyboard membrane available, depending upon the type of Sinclair ZX Spectrum you are using, so please ensure that you purchase the correct one:

Please note that all membranes are supplied complete with easy to follow fitting instructions

ZX Spectrum / Timex Sinclair 1500 (rubber keys) Keyboard Membrane Sinclair ZX Spectrum (16K/48K) Rubber Key keyboard membrane


This fits the original 1982 Sinclair ZX Spectrum with the rubber keys. It will also fit the Timex Sinclair TS1500 and the Argentinian ZX Spectrum clone CZ-2000.

(Manufactured 2011)

£8.50

ZX Spectrum+ / Spectrum 128 Keyboard Membrane Sinclair ZX Spectrum + / Spectrum + 128 keyboard membrane

This fits the Sinclair ZX Spectrum with the full size hard keyboard (although not the ones with the built in tape deck or disk drive).

(Manufactured 2011)

£15.50

Molex Keyboard Membrane Connectors for Sinclair ZX Spectrum Sinclair ZX Spectrum Molex Keyboard Connectors

These are the two connectors into which the keyboard membrane tails push on the motherboard.

Can be useful if yours are broken, missing or two wide to hold the Keyboard Membrane!

£4.50

Sinclair QL Keyboard Membranes

Sinclair QL Keyboard membranes, manufactured in 2009 are now available for sale. These have been manufactured using the latest technology and are heat and ultraviolet light resistant, which should see the QL working for at least another 10 years.

We must thank the Sinclair QL User Group (Quanta) for helping to finance this project and would recommend that all Sinclair QL users continue to support this user group.

They are extremely easy to fit using the instructions provided and at last users can upgrade the internal parts of their QL without worrying about losing the keyboard. Please see our main Sinclair QL section for details of upgrades that are available and also try our second hand section which may allow you to get some upgrades quite cheaply.

Sinclair QL Keyboard Membrane

Post and Packing for 1-3 membranes - please ask for larger amounts:
UK : £2.75
EEC: £4
Rest of Europe: £5
US/Canada: £5.50

Sinclair QL Keyboard Membrane (manufactured 2010)

Cambridge Z88 Keyboard Membranes and Rubber Keyboard Mats

Although replacement rubber keyboard mats are no longer available, we have been able to obtain a short production run of replacement keyboard membranes for the Cambridge Z88 Portable Computer and these are now available to purchase through SellMyRetro.com - the trading site for retro computer enthusiasts.

Cost is just £22 plus post and packing.

Enterprise 128 Keyboard Membranes

Following some discussions on the Enterprise 128 Forever forums, and thanks to one of their members lending us a keyboard, we are pleased to say that we have been able to obtain a short production run of replacement keyboard membranes for the Enterprise 64/128 Home Computer and these are now available to purchase through SellMyRetro.com - the trading site for retro computer enthusiasts.

Cost is just £25 plus post and packing.

Testing and Shipping

All items are listed exclusive of post and packing and are all fully tested before shipping. We ensure that they are well protected against the rigours of parcel delivery and send them by Royal Mail First Class post, Parcelforce 48 hour delivery (in the UK) or Parcel2Go (whichever is the cheaper option).

Although we attempt to keep our lists as current as possible, please check on availability of any item prior to ordering. We also offer a 14 day money back warranty on all goods (excluding shipping charges), provided that they are returned in the same condition and packaging.

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