85 mph speedo on a '79?

[Craig]

My recently acquired '79 F has a rectangular gauge cluster with an 85 mph speedo. In addition, the speedometer cable is missing. I'm guessing that simply replacing the cable won't be enough, right? What should I do to get the speedo to read accurately? (Assuming that it won't when I get a cable for it!)

Thanks!

[randy]

Craig, the speedo has been changed. The correct speedo for a 79F reads 160MPH. It's an easy swap to put the correct one on. Either from a 78E or 79F. Same unit.

Randy

[Craig]

Thanks for the info. Looks like the hunt is on!

[buffalo]

I believe the speedo should read correctly, you just won't be able to go as fast

[Craig]

I believe the speedo should read correctly, you just won't be able to go as fast

Ha! Even with the slower speedo, it'll still be fast enough to get in trouble!

[pathfinder]

I thought they changed to 85 in 79 not 80, although I've been mistaken on many occasion I have never been wrong. But that's just my opinion.

[CA.XSer]

I've been mistaken on many occasion

Your are mistaken on this one they changed to a 85 in 1980.

[pathfinder]

oh well

mistaken again

[Geezer]

The 80 MPH speedo was the brainchild of Joan Claybrook the head of the NHTSA under Jimma Carter. I'm glad both of them are inconsequential these days. She was the same person that wanted bikes to have a full roll cage and have rear wheel steering. Even sadder is that she spent $250k trying to make it work.

Geezer

[randy]

Geez,

I didn't think anyone remembered that but me! As I recall, the rear-steer bike could not be ridden, even by King Kenny. It was a complete folly. Thanks for the memory jog.

Randy

[Geezer]

Originally posted by randy
Geez,

I didn't think anyone remembered that but me! As I recall, the rear-steer bike could not be ridden, even by King Kenny. It was a complete folly. Thanks for the memory jog.

Randy

Ken Kong wouldn't have even attempted to ride that POS.

Even with training wheels (actually long spring loaded struts with wheels on the end) that POS wouldn't say up with the slightest steering correction.

I would have loved to parted it out though, it had the sweetest Kimtab magnesium wheels, plasma coated aluminum disk brake rotors, Brembo calipers and all topped with K81 Dunlop tires. This stuff would have looked great on my old RD350 (sigh.)

The Rokon engine didn't do to much for me but it might have made a nice rototiller. ;o)


Geezer