Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner Modified Stock Speedo Bracket And Relocation

I never liked the way the stock speedo looked from the side angle. It sticks up too high at an odd angle, and leaves too much room between the headlight. Especially having a 2" headlight extension. So I just modified the bracket slightly so that it sits lower towards the headlight and matches the angle of the triple trees.



Heres a before...


After...

(keep in mind that I have a 2" headlight extension so the overall look may be a bit different with the stock headlight position. The stock headlight will sit closer to the triple trees and more underneath the speedo. You should have the clearance based on my side picture.)

To do this I removed the bracket from the speedo and bent the angle of the 2 prongs straight like this


Then i drilled 2 holes in this location


Then I put the bracket back inside the speedo facing the opposite way and added washers to the mounting points (its a bit tricky to fit the cover over)


And then I mounted it back on using (2) longer screws and (2) 1" couplings to bring the bracket down lower. (I recommend using spacers instead of couplings.)


Another thing I should mention is that i left the bend on the bracket at the end where the original mounting holes are.


I left it instead of cutting it off just in case i didnt like the new position for any reason. This way i can always change the bracket back to stock.

And heres the riders perspective...


I should add that im 6'1" and i have 8" risers and dont have a problem seeing the speedo at all. My bike is also lowered more in the rear than the front.

I havent ridden with it changed yet so ill have to report back about any added vibration or any problems. I do know that I have more slack on the speedo cable down low. But having 8" risers helps this a bit. So Im not sure what kinda slack the stock bar height will give you.

That looks great and fits the natural lines of your headlight and the forks much better!

Soren

Nice job, bro! Looks great! I was thinking of moving the speedo to the left side of the gas tank so it would ride on the inside of my left leg, but I think I like your idea better.

Rode about 50 miles so far and no problems with vibration or anything at all. I kinda like seeing more of the top of the headlight for whatever reason.

Looks great, Nice job
One question...why did you take your seat off to work on the speedo

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looks real good not having that big space there

Nice work, a good alternative to locating in the dash on the tank. The next logical step would be to recess one into the top/back of the headlight housing.

I like it, and your bike is awesome !

Shame Triumph didn't build em lookin like that in the first place

cant really tell in the pic, but that isnt a stock rear fender is it?

That looks freakin' awesome. Your bike is an inspiration.

Thanks alot

Here is another take on relocating the Speedo. I agree that the lower and tighter look fits the bike better.

I had posted on this mod some time ago, so here is the link:
Speedo Relocation

Since the original photos aren't showing up in the original post, here they are again:





Steven

Jease I wish I seen your post before doing mine...ahah...It woulda saved some time figuring it out. Its funny cause we used practically the same technique. I guess flipping the bracket like i did, gives you a lower position in straight agle with the triple trees. From the looks of those pics it doesnt seem like you can get the angle like mine without the 2" headlight extension vs. the stock headlight location.

Yep, two different takes on the same thing...I think I only took off about an inch of the bracket and the spacers kept the same angle. With your headlight extension, you appear to have more room to tuck it in even further.

Regardless of which one, I firmly believe that the look is much cleaner without the Speedo sitting up so high.

By the way, VERY nice ride.

I recently bought a Triumph Rocket III Touring and it has me thinking that it might be time to either pick up a bobber project or just to start bobbing and chopping my current America.

You've done a great job with yours.

I've worked mine to achieve a look reminiscent of an earlier style Triumph....now the decision as to whether to start cutting....




Cheers,
Steven

its wierd cause when i look at your pics it doesnt look like you can change the bracket the way i did. But when i look at the side shot of mine, it looks like if my headlight was in the stock position it would still fit. I guess we'll see if someone in the future tries either one in the future we'll know for sure.

Thanks alot steve, your bikes looking pretty proper right now. If I were you I'd be chopping the rocket...haha...I'd love to see one of those as a bobber...maybe not as traditional as doing the america but rules are meant to be broken..haha

Maybe there is a difference in the years. Mine is an '03 from your signature, yours is much newer.

Nonetheless...interesting conversation and comparison.

The Rocket III is the Touring (R3T) model with bags and windshield, etc...I've seen some interesting takes on the Rocket III classic, there are certainly some very creative folks out there.

For now, the R3T is staying pretty true to original look.



Cheers,
Steven

I had my headlight and Speedo both off this week painting them black and after some checking I dont think that it will work there brokenfixed. First is that the headlight on the stock bracket not only sits farther back but higher. It could be done with less of an angle but not flat quite flat. It could be close to flat without any spacers like Steven is running though. Those spacers really get it close to the headlight.
Mark

I see....Ive never really looked at the stock headlight mount so I can only speak for mine I guess.