SPEEDOMETER EXCHANGE.....whole unit

[ripchord11]

Probably posted numerous times here, and any direction to this post would be great .............I HATE THIS 80 MPH SPEEDOMETER!! There I got it out of my system.......Why in Gods Name, did they make this Speedometer only 80 MPH!! I hate not knowing my exact speed, at high speeds!! IS THERE ANY WAY TO SWITCH OUT this speedometer( 80 XS11 G) yes the square ones........with the higher MPH model, without problems, and if so, is it an easy switchout???????????

[John]

It's just Plug n' Play I believe. I have a 79 SF speedo on my 80SG, and it just pugged right in.

[Pat Kelly]

I used the speedo from an XS750. Only 140 MPH which is fine (no plans to go that fast other than that once) but "plug-n-play".

[2fast]

Here's a great solution for $23. Why screw around with changing out the original at this price. Probably more accurate and goes up to 183 mph. That should about cover it, eh?sigma speedo at aerostich

[Geezer]

Re: SPEEDOMETER EXCHANGE.....whole unit

There was a crazy dike that Jimma Carter apointed to the head of the NHTSA and she equated bikes with guys. In her 4 years there she did everthing she could to stick it to bikes and anything go-fast but mostly bikes. Thank God that Regan was elected and fired that bitch. Very soon after that the ban on 85 + MPH speedos went away.

Geezer

Originally posted by ripchord11
Why in Gods Name, did they make this Speedometer only 80 MPH!!

[oldbiker648]

I guess the idea was that if you didn't know how fast you were going, you would back out of the throttle at 85 MPH (yeah, right). Anyone else remember when the Feds were considering a law which would have made auto makers tie in a circuit which would have activated your flashers, high beams and horn when you exceeded 85 MPH? That fell flat on it's ass, but some do-gooder in Congress felt strongly enough about it to sponsor the bill.

[2fast]

Re: Re: SPEEDOMETER EXCHANGE.....whole unit

Originally posted by Geezer
There was a crazy dike that Jimma Carter apointed to the head of the NHTSA and she equated bikes with guys. In her 4 years there she did everthing she could to stick it to bikes and anything go-fast but mostly bikes. Thank God that Regan was elected and fired that bitch. Very soon after that the ban on 85 + MPH speedos went away.

Geezer

So Geez, nothing personal cause I don' t know you and you don't know me, but let me critique this post a bit.
First, I don' t know who you mean by "crazy dike", but that's a bit like someone calling you or me a "redneck hick". Even if it were true, we might not like it, and it might not be correct. If you think you don't know anyone with a sexual orientation different than yours, maybe you should check with your priest. I suppose you are referring to Jimmy Carter, not Jimma. My memory is not what it used to be, so who was this NHTSA head by name? I don't recall a Regan following Carter, but there was a Reagan. He was not exactly a peach. More like a right wing unemployed actor. I am with you on the limited speedos. Dumb idea. Now I suppose the best thing to do would be to ignore this kind of crap, but I just couldn't. How about a nice cup of STFU.

[Geezer]

While I'm my spelling isn't what it could because of my deslexia I am more up the history of the NHTSA and Joan Claybrook. I don't give a ratsass if my coments are not politically correct it's the way it was.

The 85MPH speedo was Claybrooks's idea and she was $hitcanned by the following administration. Shortly after, the 85 MPH speedo was history.

Geezer

[2fast]

Wow, quick reply. My comments have nothing to do with Political correctness. They have everything to do with prejudice and treating other human beings fairly. It is really a cheap shot to try to degrade someone elses credibility by attacking their sexual orientation. The folks that would agree with you would probably be fellow homophobes. I have no problem with disagreeing with Claybrook's ideas. In fact, she was a dismal excuse for a head of the NHTSA.

[skippy344]

Set the record straight

It wasn't just motorcycles. It was all vehicles of that era. Here is the explanation, without any editorial...

You can thank Joan Claybrook of NHTSA; it was her group's belief that drivers wouldn't exceed the top speed shown on the speedometer, which they set at 85 mph.

All vehicles, including motorcycles, of that time period were affected by this, and the national speed limit was reduced to 55 mph "to save gasoline".

While I do not, and did not agree with Ms. Claybrook's postion, I submit that we keep it "civil toned." Making broad assumptions about someone's sexual proclivity does nothing for your position, and may even cause to question your motives.

Yeah, it was stupid, and Reagan got rid of it. Enough said.

No hard feelings, I hope.

greg

[2fast]

agreed.

[Geezer]

I don't know if this information is available anymore but all I can say is try and find the interviews with her former staffers. You will find all my coments to be correct. The truth is she hated men and lead a crusade aganst motorcycles.

Geezer

[Pat Kelly]

Re: Set the record straight

Originally posted by skippy344

"Making broad assumptions about someone's sexual proclivity does "
greg

Now she's being called a Broad?

I'm kidding kidding kidding

[skippy344]

Well played!

You got me... I didn't see that coming.


If she were out to just get men, then she wouldn't have involved ALL vehicles, even ones that women drive, including her.

She may have had that agenda, I not saying that she didn't, but I don't believe this act of hers was just to get back at men. I believe it was a pathetic attempt to do something about energy and fuel comsumption. (Now, taking away strip clubs... that would have been getting back at men!)

I rectified the stupidity of that act by buying a speedo from a '79 Special, and now I can see how fast I am really going.

By the way, my 25-year-old 1980 XS11SG will go 110 Mph, even two up!

This machine still rocks!

greg

[Jerry]

Claybrook is most noted for her philosophy that highway safety could be achieved through technology. She headed the push for airbags and mandatory helmet laws, and as the current head of a group called Public Citizen, still pushes for mandatory helmet laws. (Claybrook works closely with the current administration on highway safety issues.)

You guys should read this article:

Helmet laws

It is from 1995, but an internet search using Claybrook or Public Ciitizen will quickly show you how active she still is, and what effect she may have on helmet use laws. Incidently, the Florida repeal mentioned in the article has since been signed into law.

There are other anecdotes floating around, as Claybrook was / is perceived as being anti-motorcycle, including a very funny article about the proposed seat switch for motorcycles. (Bike would not be allowed to run without weight on the seat.) Other topics covered were emmisions standards for bikes, clothing requirements (in addition to helmet laws) and, of course, the 85 MPH speedometers.

While I encourage helmet law use, I am opposed to mandatory helmet law legislation. It is interesting to note that Claybrook never discussed rider training as an alternative to mandatory helmet laws as a means of reducing motorcycle fatalities, yet as training has increased along with motorcycle registrations the fatality rate has gone down. Statistics indicate that mandatory helmet laws have had no similar effect, indicating that training is more effective than passing laws.

Anyway, read the article.