what is this???

[Guest]

It's from the back of the sppedometer on my 1980 1100. What is it and do I need it? I am replacing the 85mph with a 140 and the latter did not include this piece.

[GelandeStrasse]

Just guess here, something to do with the auto cancel for the indicators maybe? Hopefully someone had a more accurate answer!

[sedelen]

Appears to be a hard wired fusible link.
Even though I had the covers off my gauge clusters for both my 85 and 140 speedometer to a '82 GS1100E I didn't notice anything like that, but I might've missed it, but it worked OK as a direct retrofit.

[OLDENUFF]

It does appear to be a fuse, but for what and why put it in the speedo? No auto cancel signals.

[sedelen]

It does appear to be a fuse, but for what and why put it in the speedo? No auto cancel signals.

Lighting circuit?

[koolaid_kid]

Dang it guys! I was going to tell him it was part of the transmogrifier, which had been removed.
Yes, it appears to be a fusible link and no, you don't need it.

[uk gs nut]

flux capaciter ? for when he hits 88 MPH

[Gregory]

With my antique eyeballs it looks like a capsule with mercury in it.

Maybe an automatic self cancelling wheelie imobilizer?

[koolaid_kid]

At first I suspected a self-refilling blinker fluid dispenser, since it is too small for a flux capacitor.
And no self-respecting motorcyclist (not biker, please) would want a wheelie imobilizer. That would be self-defeating.

[OLDENUFF]

According to the Clymer manual it is a distance sensor, Whatever that means.

[barnbiketom]

It is a reed sensor. (Switch) A magnet in the speedo spins and this sensor is switched on and off as the magnet passes by.

This is the input to the self cancelling module for the turn signals.