Imperial Speedos for Softail & Sporty R

[MikeT]

Hi Guys and Gals - not sure if this is the right forum, but we are looking for MPH speedometers for both our bikes in order to get them through the SVA tests @ the VOSA station in Glasgow. Mine is an '06 Softail Night Train and Mandy's is an '06 Sporty 1200 R (the one with the twin gauges). Ours are currently in KPH as we brought them in from South Africa with us and we have been told that they need to be in MPH to get through ! Any suggestions welcome as the guys @ H-D want an arm and BOTH legs for these things new.
MikeT

[banquo]

Suggestions:
1. Do they have dual markings on them (like cars do) so there is a smaller ring with mph on it? If so, this could be enough for SVA....?
"Check that a speedometer is fitted and is capable
of indicating the vehicle speed in miles per hour
(mph) at uniform intervals not exceeding 20mph
for all speeds up to the maximum design speed of
the vehicle.
NOTE 1: Both the increments and units of measurement eg mph, m/h must be displayed.

NOTE 2: It is acceptable if the maximum speed of the vehicle is indicated by the last increment on the speedometer which must not be more than 19mph beyond the last 20mph increment.
NOTE 3: It is acceptable for the speedometer needle "rest" position to be between the zero position and first marked increment."


2. Borrow speedo from someone else with similar bike to get through SVA, then swap back. Changing the console over on Night Train is 10 minute job - don't know about Sporty. Probably need to get someone with same year of bike to ensure compatibility?
3. I've heard of people getting a new dial for speedo, rather than changing the speedo itself. If part not available, it may be possible to get one made.
4. The requirements are to have a speedo that indicates mph, is accurate, and has durable markings visible during day and night. That means you can actually modify the dial yourself (if it does not have mph sub script) by adding mph in minimum 20mph intervals, up to the maximum speed of the vehicle, so you can mark for 20-120mph on the dial, and providing you put the marks in the right place, and they stay there, it should pass.
"Imperial Speedometer
Great Britain uses imperial units for speed measurement. The law requires that speedometers must include a miles-per-hour display. Please note in particular that any modified display must be visible in daylight and in darkness.
Markings may be added to the existing speedometer provided they are:
n accurate;
n durable;
n can be seen clearly in daylight and when the instrument is lit during darkness."
5. Buy a replacement speedo from the States for half the price of a UK one. http://www.hmhd.com/webstore/viewiteminfo.asp?sku=67313%2D05A&PID=speedo&PIDName=Speedometers+%2F+Tachometers&DID=Parts&Back=&aspname=viewprod (http://www.hmhd.com/webstore/viewiteminfo.asp?sku=67313%2D05A&PID=speedo&PIDName=Speedometers+%2F+Tachometers&DID=Parts&Back=&aspname=viewprod)

Here's a draft SVA Manual (don't have one for MSVA, but the principle should be the same)

http://www.cobraclub.nl/ccn_site/tipsentrucs/keuring/SVA-Manual-draft-nov2003.pdf (http://www.cobraclub.nl/ccn_site/tipsentrucs/keuring/SVA-Manual-draft-nov2003.pdf)

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/motgaragesandtesters/applyingtobeanmottestcentre/vehicletestingmanuals/vehicleapprovaltestmanuals.htm (http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/motgaragesandtesters/applyingtobeanmottestcentre/vehicletestingmanuals/vehicleapprovaltestmanuals.htm)

[MikeT]

Hey Banquo - thank you so much for the info, all this MSVA stuff is really foreign to us.
Unfortunately the speedo's do not have the dual markings on them - our bikes in SA are built for the european market and display ONLY kilo's.
I'll shop around on the USA sites as you suggest and see what I can come up with ................ failing that, both Mandy and I are draughtspersons by trade so we may not do such a shabby job marking-up the metric clocks ......... worth a try hey ?
Cheers, Ride Safe and Enjoy.
MikeT

[banquo]

Nae bother Mike; I've heard of many going through the same thing.
For US parts, I usually use Zanotti in Butler PA, and there's a good shop, discountbiker.com (I think) in Florida, who are known to be 'creative'with the invoice that travels with the goods, as you will have to become familiar with VAT (17.5%) and import duty (Variable according to what they had for breakfast, but usually 10%).
Even if you pay full US price for the goods, and pay full import duty, the US price willstill be much lower than local. Typically, what costs £100 here costs $100 in the States. You'll need to add carriage (precentage varies obviously on weight, carrier, and the value of the goods) plus another 30% on the cost + carriage. Typically, that will bring you to 25% lower than the local price. if the dealer gives a discount (many mail order ones give up to 20%) then the savings will be more.
Tip: the MSVA is a lot more stringent than the MOT test, so you may get away with doing something temporary to get through the MSVA, and then revert to kph for the MOT. Check with an MOT test station (I use Burnbrae Garage, Colin Robertson, justto the West of Methven, or there's Cherrybank Garage on the Glasgow Road (both bike MOT stations). They should advise.
If you order something, be very careful that you get the correct part number for an HDI bike. it is NOT the same as the USA mph speedo in my '03 parts book.
Given your drafting skills, printing an mph overlay on to acetate, and overlaying the existing dial seems a good compromise, and I've even seen overlays on the glass although parallax errors would make that pretty useless, even if it's acceptable for the test.
At least your lights will dip to the left, so look on the bright side... :D
Good luck with whatever you do