Aftermarket Speedo for 1981 GS850G

[Guest]

Found this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/190906080556?ul_noapp=true

Looks OK enuff, in MPH not kPH. says it is compatible. I know it would need some work to fit in place of dead speedo.

Anyone have experience with this one?

I know it will look goofy but as I fade into the sunset, Roadkill is as well. Looks don't matter. My wife agrees and sez I am as ugly as when she met me and it don't matter.

Any experience with this or other speedos?

Thanks.

DH

 

[Gorminrider]

umm. It's kinda small ain't it? 2 +1/2 inches?
That might be a quality item there but My experience with a really bad ebay one that looked (too) similar to yours was just that- bad. The dial is so small that I can't tell the difference in a school zone between 30 or 20 without peering at it hard..plus, it was REALLY innaccurate 'though the "ratio" was correct... plus it had LED lasers for indicator lights (oil,neutral and turn) that blew holes in my retina at night...
So..... I'd be very sure on the return policy. maybe Test these things before it gets scratched and can't be returned. (a gps will give a good indication on the straight and level)

 

[Steve]

As gorminrider hinted, there are different ratios available for different motorcycle manufacturers, make sure you have the correct one for your bike. Sorry, I don't remember what that ratio is, somebody else will have to provide that.

.

 

[Gorminrider]

here's the one I bought off ebay for $15 so that just shows you...

 

[Gorminrider]

installed on the beater-bike. I suppose I wanted the original temporarily for a better bike or something but I've since put it back.

I don't remember what that ratio is

Edit; Steve, this is what I have for our vintage Hondas and Suzukis " speedo 2240/60 Tach is 1:4" and " the wheel size is calibrated at the wheel itself, in the "drive" there"

 

[Guest]

View attachment 57500installed on the beater-bike. I suppose I wanted the original temporarily for a better bike or something but I've since put it back.


Edit; Steve, this is what I have for our vintage Hondas and Suzukis " speedo 2240/60 Tach is 1:4" and " the wheel size is calibrated at the wheel itself, in the "drive" there"

Thanks Gorminrider, et al. So I am trying to figure this 2240:60 mph ratio as my remembrance of my 850G is that at 60MPH the tach is already above 4k.

I am currently using a SIGMA bicycle speedo/computer where I have very accurately measured the outer circumfrence of the tire and plugged that into the computer for my actual speed. Pretty cheesey I know but at least I could set the odo to about where I was when the previous speedos I had installed failed. I had tried to advance the last one to actual calculated mileage but that was a failed experiment.

I know this one I am looking at would not be a match to OEM and might look off putting to the purist but remember this. I have a 4" green bobblehead zombie mounted and quivering on the dashboard of my Vetter fairing and I've been able to live with that for years.

If I do get any of these aftermarket speedos I guess I would have to rig up a drill and run it over a long period of time to set the ODO to actual mileage (76,000 or so). unless there is another method.

Thanks again for the usual high level of support from the group.

DH

Anyway curious about that ratio as it doesn't match what I am used to on my bike.

 

[Steve]

Thanks Gorminrider, et al. So I am trying to figure this 2240:60 mph ratio as my remembrance of my 850G is that at 60MPH the tach is already above 4k.

Yes, your TACH is over 4k, but that has NOTHING to do with the speedo. What that ratio means is that the cable between the front wheel and the speedometer will be turning 2240 rotations for every mile traveled.

If I do get any of these aftermarket speedos I guess I would have to rig up a drill and run it over a long period of time to set the ODO to actual mileage (76,000 or so). unless there is another method.

Be ready to wear out a drill or two. :-k

Let's say that you can get the speedo to read 120 MPH. (Will require 4480 RPM from the drill.) You will be clicking off 2 miles every minute. With 76,000 miles to go, you will be running for 38,000 minutes. That is over 633 hours. Looking at the total time, that is 4 weeks, 6 days, 15 hours and 15 minutes.

.

 

[Gorminrider]

It's not unusual to put new speedos on. Here in BC,Canada, I recall that the "Transfer of ownership/registration" form actually has a space to note that the speedometer has been replaced and thereby, the machines "true" mileage.

For future reference, just note the original mileage to be added on the back of the new one- "labelmakers"do a good job or scotchtape covering a paper label,or scratch it on.
Don't worry overmuch about the speedometers ratio- it's very common among the mechanical speedometers made in Japan-they mostly came from the same jobber for all Jap bikes. Any differences are compensated for by the bike-maker at the wheel where the cable comes out.

 

[Guest]

Yes, your TACH is over 4k, but that has NOTHING to do with the speedo. What that ratio means is that the cable between the front wheel and the speedometer will be turning 2240 rotations for every mile traveled.


Be ready to wear out a drill or two. :-k

Let's say that you can get the speedo to read 120 MPH. (Will require 4480 RPM from the drill.) You will be clicking off 2 miles every minute. With 76,000 miles to go, you will be running for 38,000 minutes. That is over 633 hours. Looking at the total time, that is 4 weeks, 6 days, 15 hours and 15 minutes.

.

Thanks Steve, looks like your math is better than my dreams. I was going to keep the SIGMA bike speedo on so can use that to maintain the ODO function unless I come up with some solution for setting the ODO on the unit to the correct number.
The next problem would be creating an adapter plate to allow the 2 1/2" speedo to fit into the +/- 4" opening of the dashboard hole. While I can visualize a metal/plastic/wood solution, I do not have the skill or tools to make one up.

Anyone out there who could make something up in their home/work shop? I'm pretty liberal on the actual look, if wood I could do a nice stain & finish. If plastic or metal could paint, etc. I just can't figure how to do an accurate cut of the 2 concentric circles needed. If anyone has the chops to do this I am of course willing to offer USD in reasonable payment. Hope so. I will post a separate shoutout for this separately.

Thanks to everyone with advice & comments so far. I believe that the ratio of the speedo is correct for my bike based on your input & info from DimeCity as well.
Thanks agin'

DH