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adapting 20's car speedo's for a motorcycle ?

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  • adapting 20's car speedo's for a motorcycle ?

    I am trying to put together a none stock - far from stock really, Chief engined Scout - aka Chout. Can't afford a speedo at today's prices, but want one on the machine. The car speedo's from the 20's are fairly plentiful and cheap compared to the two wheeler type. Can they be converted for a motorcycle ? anybody here ever done it ? I know I could go modern, but like the antique look better, just curious if anyone's done it, thanks.

  • #2
    You might consider an electronic (no wires) bicycle speedometer. Maybe embed it in an antique speedo facia. Cheap, easy.
    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40
    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40
    Bill Gilbert in Oregon

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    • #3
      Tom:

      Very easy and possible. Keep in mind that for a lot of cars (Model T's in particular) the speedometer was an option, except on the very last cars where they put one in the dash. Owners would buy a speedometer head (instrument), cable, gears, etc. as an accessory and put it on themselves. So there are a lot of old speedos out there that work/look/fit fine on a bike, but may not be the original item sold by Indian. But as a period accessory, you can just as easily put on a car speedometer.

      Look for one with a 60 MPH sweep at a minimum (most of the really expensive bike speedometers will have 80 - 90 MPH sweep... some higher) But your average car of the day couldn't touch that... so their limit is much lower. But for a bike, perfectly usable, unless you plan on setting speed records.

      Gearing, cables etc. from companies like this: http://antiquespeedometer.com/

      Jones and similar units are utterly repairable, too. So don't worry about using it. And sometimes the 'broken' ones are just sticky and need cleaning/lube.

      Hope this helps!

      Cheers,

      Sirhr

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      • #4
        very cool and thanks much guy's, this site is great !

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