Replacement speedo options

[jamestnewsonr65]

Im looking to replace the speedo on my project 83 LS and I would love to get a simpler looking, smaller one than the original.

Something like these http://tinyurl.com/l6mvon9   or these http://www.shop.modernmotorcyclecompany.com.au/collections/instruments, but I just cant find anything with the correct ratio for the 31/9 (W1276).

If anyone out there knows of anything suitable as replacements then I would love to know.

Any help is much appreciated.

[montmil]

You can dump both the vintage steam gauges.

Acewell makes a classic looking round meter that all digital. Includes tach and many other features. There's one on my '83 R65. My '81 R65 rocks a TrailTech Vapor digital. Either one will really clean up the cockpit and eliminate several wires and cables.

[jamestnewsonr65]

Was hoping to keep something a bit more analog than digital. Any recommendations? Or is a pain to try and get a matching ratio.

[montmil]

I think Acewell may offer an analog needle digi speedo for that oldscool look. Their speedos do have an optional OEM-looking electronic fitting for the BMW gearbox.

Yes. It is likely a near-impossible, long-term pain to find a matching cable-driven ratio aftermarket speedo with the fitting for the BMW transmission to match our old Airheads. Not much demand to motivate a manufacturer. Best to seek other options in this digital age.

Or... run a tachometer and memorize speeds at a given top gear rpm. My R100s was originally running only a small, electric tach. In town, I just tried not to be the first person to the next traffic signal. On the highway, I knew my speeds via the revs indicated. Now THAT's old school!

[marcmax]

My solution, since I live in a mph country instead of a kph one was to find a close match ratio wise but that is marked in kph. I found one that is actually fairly close ( matching with a gps) to correct mph but the face is marked kph. I don't care what the dial says as long as the little pointer is pointing to the right number.

[azcycle]

Last time I checked, Acewell has changed owners and no longer distributes in the U.S.  Not sure what they've got in the UK.

I'm in the process of installing a Trailtech (with associated LED dashboard) on my r65, with a separate filament-bulb for the charge light.  I've got a friend fabricating a mount for it all.

Just have to figure out my headlight situation, first.

[montmil]

Last time I checked, Acewell has changed owners and no longer distributes in the U.S.  Not sure what they've got in the UK.

Had not heard about an Acewell ownership change, but Dime City Cycles is still listing the Acewell goods on their web catalog. Would seem odd to eliminate the US market for their product.  :-?

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/

[azcycle]

Aw, well that's good to hear! When I searched for one last year all I could find was their Japanese website saying they were looking for new US distributors. Hopefully they've got it worked out!

[Ed Miller]

I just bought a Trail Tec unit, the one that replaced the Vector, to install on my Triumph.  I've had a Vector on my R65 for years and love it.  The tech told me the same trick that worked on my Vector to re-set the odometer would work on this new one, too.  Hey I have 96,000 miles on that Triumph and I'm proud of them.  

[jamestnewsonr65]

With the digital versions is the installation (wiring) easy enough for a novice?

[montmil]

Here's the installation manual that comes with the TrailTech Vapor as on my 1978 R100S and 1981 R65. The 1983 R65 rolls with an Acewell for a more classic look. Both easily installed.

Positive and Negative wires to the battery,
One wire to the coil for tachometer,
Sheathed wire to sensor pickup.

 
http://gallery.trailtech.net/media/instructions/computers/vapor/vapor_instructions.pdf

[Ed Miller]

What's hard is making it look good, like Monte did and I didn't.  I'll try harder on my Triumph.

[montmil]

On the '81 R65, I did a cardboard mockup for the Vapor's mounting bracket and then used some on-hand aluminum for the final project.

Bracket goes under two handlebar caps bolts. Then the Vapor mounts with machine screws through rubber grommets for a cushioned attach.





For the R100S, I slacked off on the mounting bracket and used the supplied bits. I was a little put off by the offset location created by the OEM hardware and the bar mounts. Maybe looked too wack... Then I spotted a couple new model sporty bike magazine reviews and, whoa! They also have offset instrument clusters. Now I feel better with my classic BMW avant guard install.

Why yes, young lady. This is a 2014 BMW R100S.