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Speedometer Relocation Mod
#111417 11/12/2006 12:09 PM
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Steven Offline OP
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I've been looking for ways to change the look of the stock speedometer for months and finally figured out a way to relocate it myself. I never liked how high the speedometer looked on the America...it just seemed like it was too much.

This mod will bring the speedo in and lowers it so that it has a much more "tucked in" look and feel. Here's what it looks like now:

Here are the steps I took:
- Remove the speedo - had to remove speedo cable at speedo and unplug electics inside headlight
- Drill two new mounting holes in bracket -- I put the new holes about halfway between the stock holes and the bend.
- Cut-off (dremel) the end of the bracket where the stock holes were located. Essentially cut between the old holes and the new holes.
- Purchased 2 new bolts (Chrome M6 x 1.0p x 40mm)and 2 Chrome Spacers (5/16 x 1"). Note: My local hardware store has good selection of Chrome Metric bits, but had to use standard spacer...works fine.
- Remounted everything.

Here is a picture from the side...a bit challenging to see, but hopefully it shows what I'm talking about.

Clearance is good all around and I think it looks much better.

As you may be able to see, I have Windvest mounts on my handlebars. In order to make my Windvest fit with the new speedo location, I did nothing more than take out the spacers that came with the Windvest. This brings the whole shield back closer to me and looks even better than before. I put a couple of felt pads on the cross member of the Windvest right where it sits against the speedo. You can sort of see in the second picture how the Windvest cross member will now sit in front of the speedo.

All in all this was very simple and easy.

Cheers,
Steven

Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
Steven #111418 11/12/2006 12:40 PM
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Greenhorn
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That is really sharp. Very clean!

Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
papatod #111419 11/12/2006 5:34 PM
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Very nice. Makes it look much tidier ont he front end. Just a note that it's probably inappropriate on speedmasters with their taller risers, or americas with jim's spacers etc if you still want to see the speedo.

Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
Steven #111420 11/12/2006 7:38 PM
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Looks good! Always love to see some home grown. Dud you paint the bare edge of the bracket you cut off?


Benny Black & Silver '02 Too many mods to list Not enough miles ridden
Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
bennybmn #111421 11/12/2006 8:31 PM
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Steven Offline OP
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Thought about painting the edge, but didn't. It faces the Frame so aestetically I don't think it will show. I may go back in with a small brush or pull the assembly again or just leave it.

By the way, I tested the whole setup for a few weeks to see if anything didn't look/feel right. I pulled the speedo, drilled the two holes and used 8 washers on each bolt...just happened to have a couple of longer bolts in the kit. I had enough room to go a little lower so I went with the 1" spacer.

Steven

Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
Steven #111422 11/12/2006 11:44 PM
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very nice!

Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
Steven #111423 11/13/2006 11:43 AM
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Definitely cool. I was thinking paint the edge to prevent rust... Unless it is AL.


Benny Black & Silver '02 Too many mods to list Not enough miles ridden
Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
Steven #111424 11/13/2006 9:21 PM
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Looks nice very nice.
What did you install on the nuts for you accesory driving lights attachment hardware. Its hard to tell but looks like some chrome caps?


Erwin
05 America
Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
Erwin #111425 11/15/2006 8:19 AM
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Steven Offline OP
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Quote:

What did you install on the nuts for you accesory driving lights attachment hardware. Its hard to tell but looks like some chrome caps?




As I mentioned in my earlier message, my local hardware store (Elliots in Dallas) has a good selection of Chrome bits. I found a couple of nice Chrome Acorn Nuts to finish off the bolts of the driving lights. These lights and the bar are the JC Whitney ones mentioned numerous times on this forum. I really like the way they sit nice and tight against the headlight.

Steven

Re: Speedometer Relocation Mod
Steven #111426 11/15/2006 8:31 AM
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Thanks Steve


Erwin
05 America

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