Speed -O Question

[ESJr1642]

Ok guys, I am pretty sure I already know the answer, buuutttt, I want to run it past the EXPERTS!

The speedo on the 80 1) stops at 85, 2) fadded really bad and 3) the trip does not work.

I have an extra off a 79. Both Standards. Direct fit I realize, but what about speed readings? I have checked the drive on the axel, both 79 and 80 share the same part#. I know I can "read" and "messure" a few ways, (tach, ride with antoher bike, follow in a car, etc) but I was just currious if anyone has made this change and had any trouble with the correct speed readings?

As far as mileage, theres not much of a differance, I can use a drill to get the 79 speedo to the correct mileage. May take some time I realize, but hey, I have all summer.

Thanks for any insite / advise!

[Rasputin]

Speed readings will all be the same. I have a 160MPH one sitting here with no home but the case is dented so you would have to swap that. couple of bolts undone and done up again and she would be fine. 25015 on the odometer for anyone who may be interested.

[BA80]

As far as mileage, theres not much of a differance, I can use a drill to get the 79 speedo to the correct mileage. May take some time I realize, but hey, I have all summer.

Thanks for any insite / advise!

Don't worry about the mileage. These bikes are 30+ years old. I've changed the speedometer on my SG 3.......maybe 4 times.........I've gone from 46K to 13K and now 15K. I'm pretty sure this frame is pushing 100k.

[mikubuilder]

Don't worry about the mileage. These bikes are 30+ years old. I've changed the speedometer on my SG 3.......maybe 4 times.........I've gone from 46K to 13K and now 15K. I'm pretty sure this frame is pushing 100k.

remind me not to buy a bike from you

[fredintoon]

remind me not to buy a bike from you

Gee Nick,
at least Greg was honest and up front about the speedo swap, eh?
The person not to buy from is the one who swears the bike is low mileage and original and his Granny is only selling it because she's getting too old and frail to ride it to church on Sundays.

[tcoop]

With thirty year old bikes I assume that the speedometer has been changed or turned over atleast once.

[XJfan1]

Speed readings will all be the same. I have a 160MPH one sitting here with no home but the case is dented so you would have to swap that. couple of bolts undone and done up again and she would be fine. 25015 on the odometer for anyone who may be interested.

would your 160 speedo fit in place of my stock one on my xj. id love to swap mine out.

[crazy steve]

Here's the XJ swap.... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10584

Note that one Rasputin has is for a standard and is square; you need a Special unit...

[jjz28]

With thirty year old bikes I assume that the speedometer has been changed or turned over atleast once.

mine is just over 12k, and its not turned over, Its good to know the PO and the bike for a long time. I just got lucky though, if i didnt know the bike, I would always wonder, is that 112k?

[BA80]

remind me not to buy a bike from you

Well, that's what happens when you actually RIDE a motorcycle. Things wear out and have to be replaced.

On my SG I've also replaced the engine and final drive, I have a SF rear fender and tail light setup so my seat and back bar will fit, handle bars from an XS850 special, I've replaced the tach 3 or 4 times also.

Like I said, things wear out when you ride 'em. I've put somewhere in the area of 30K on in the last 3 years. My tires don't get old sitting on the garage floor, I wear 'em out.

[jetmechmarty]

Has anyone here gone this way?

Joel Levine Co.

[BA80]

Any clue as to the cost Marty?

[crazy steve]

I called a few years or so ago and it was about $160 to start, up from there depending on what needed done. IIRC, at the time they weren't doing many electronic speedo/tach repairs, mostly only mechanical gauges...

[jetmechmarty]

Thanks Steve! I wonder if their continued business has led to falling or rising prices. It's getting more and more difficult to find nice used clocks. When considering parts and labor, the price for restoration probably isn't unreasonable, depending upon how much you like the bike. Where else can you go for a new bezel?

[crazy steve]

At the time I called, that 'basic' charge was for 'restoring' a functional gauge, i.e. one that worked but maybe needed cleaning/recalibrating and a 'freshening' of the cosmetics. For 'popular' gauges, some repair costs were reasonable but once you got off the beaten path prices went up pretty fast. They weren't doing some electronics because of IC chips in some of them, but were looking into expanding into that area, so that may be better now.

The guy said they could rebuild almost anything, but you could be looking at a $1K cost for some less-common sets...