Hey guys,
So today I managed to get a little bit of time to put my new side mounted speedo on, and pretty happy with the result. The side mounted speedo is definitely the way to go if you are running drag bars and flipped mirrors, as it's the final touch to getting your bars nice and flush, giving yout bike that bobber or cafe racer look.
You can purchase the same kit I did on ebay for $43.00 + postage, so it's not gonna burn a hole in your pocket. There are some deerer ones out there from manufacturers such as Joker Machine and DK Customs if you don't mind spending a the extra cash.
Anyways, here's how to mount the cheapy one that I found on ebay.
HOW TO SIDE MOUNT YOUR SPEEDO:
(Assuming your have already removed your original speedometer from your bike)
1. As always, first things first. These are the tools you are going to need to get this guy done properly: Power Drill, Suitable Drill Bit, Black Electric or specialty tape, Size 13 & 11 spanner, Rachet w/ size 13 socket was a help, and a medium size allen key (can't recall the exact size). And of course, you will need your little side mount speedo kit that you purcahed online. Also, grab all your old original speedo handlebar mount parts such as the back metal bracket and rubbers if you have them.
2. Basically, there are a couple different places you can mount your speedo to. The reccomend and most common area is onto the tank bolt. It's the relatively noticable one that keeps the top of your tank in place. You'll need both a size 13 spanner / socket as well as the allen key to get this one undone. It's basically one long bolt that runs through, with a nut and washer keeping it tight.
3. Remove the tank nut from the bolt, but still leaving the bolt in place as we're not wanting to move the tank. Grab your speedo mount - you'll notice the bracket provided in the kit has holes which are actually too small for the tank bolt to run through. You'll need to actually drill some larger holes into the mount in order for the tank bolt to fit. Your drill hole doesn't need to be perfect, as it will eventually be tightened on by the original tank nut and washer, so if the hole you drill is a little big for the tank bolt it's not the end of the world. But try get it as close as possible.
4. Once you've drilled a new hole, you should now be able to attach the side mount to your tank bolt, and tighten it up with your tank nut and washer. Make sure to lean your bars all the way to the left as you want to make sure your forks do not touch your mount. If you have too much of an angle, it will bump. Unfortunately this means you most likely won't be able to get the speedo mount exactly the way you want it. I really wanted my speedo to sit on a bit of an angle, but unfortunately the forks kept hitting it. I actually had to drill a second hole inbetween the two holes already in the bracket, so that I could make it work.
5. Once you're happy that your side mounted speedo is sitting okay, and the forks aren't hitting it, tighten her up.
6. Next, grab your speedometer and place it into your mounted bracket. You'll need to grab the wiring for your speedo, and connect it up. If you are running with the same setup as me, with your dummy lights still on your bars, and only the speedo on the side, you will need to cut open the little protective wiring cover that the two are placed in, so that you can seperate the two. Be careful not to cut any wires. If any wires are showing, just tape them up with some black electrical tape. Recconect your wiring, the same way your originally removed them. There should only be two plugs, so it's quite simple.
7. Once everything is connected, grab some specialty black tape ( I used Nitto tape ) and basically wrap it around the white plastic part of the speedo that would by now be sticking out the bottom of your bracket. The Nitto tape I used worked great. Once you've wrapped the white plastic bit, grab the original metal base plate which is another part that would have been removed from your original sportster speedo mount, and close up the back of your speedo with it, sealing it nicely. I also snached one of the original speedo rubber bands and sealed bottom of the speedo with it - I think it looks great. Try hide the wires as best as possible.
8. That's it. All done. When you're sitting on your bike, you will only be able to see from about 0km - 100km with this specific setup. I'd personally like to be able to see the speedo a little clearer, so I'm thinking of going to bunnings or mitre10 and seeing if I can pick up some sort of extension bracket so that I can push it out a little more. Having it extended will probably let me turn the speedo on a bit more of an angle too. I'll keep you all posted.
Hope this helps!
Cheers!
B
Yeh I've been having a think about it Judgelj.
I haven't looked into it much, but do you know if it's possible to just flip the stock headlamp and mount it to a bracket underneath it? Or will you need to purchase a whole new headlamp (cause I know they are very pricey)?
Having the bars setup the way they are now, I don't mind the top bracket so much - and because it's black, it's not a big thing for me to get rid of quickly. Getting rid of all the chrome parts is the main thing for me at this point - original exhaust, derby cover, inspection cover, shocks etc.
Figured I would bring this one back from the dead, in case anyone is looking to sidemount their speedo's at the moment..
Back when I had a sporty I did the same but with a $13 clamp from autometer.. And as for the question regarding headlight eyebrow.. I flipped my headlight and made a bracket, then drilled bottom clamp and tapped an alloy block for a mount point and bolted it up. Worked sweet.
Hey mitch, any chance you can post the link on the autometer website to which braket fits the sporster speedo. I just dont wnat to order the wrong one. cheers
JayFay
