Is this hard to do? How long would it take? Any special tools needed? Or should I just take it to HD?

How about brands, go with HD or someone else?

I was thinking of mounting it right between the two forks above the tank.

 

harley makes a mounting plate that attaches to the two screws on the handle bar mounting. not hard to do but you must also run the wiring to the battery, power and the back of the speedometer

 

It's not too bad if you have the tools. You'll need a set of torques, wrench to loosen up the screws on the back of the gas tank so you can raise it and run the wire underneath to the ECM and some black plastic tie downs so you can secure the wires. I assembled the tach and wires first and then installed it on the bike.

You'll need to pull the quick disconnect fuel line off the tank so you can raise the take. Put some paper towels around it when you pull it. It only leaks for a second.

The instructions that come with the tach are confusing. There is a great link here on the site with photo's and more information. Search for it. If you can find the link, you can install the tach.

 

Its and easy mod, maybe an hour. Hardest part is picking out the tach. I was able to tuck the wire safely under the tank without removing the tank.

HD discontinued the silver face tach that matches the speedo. The black one works well, looks OK.

There are dozens of options, any where from small stick on LEDs to large round tachs with shift lights. Many to choose from. The combo speedo/tach units that replace the speedo don't seem to be that reliable.

Most round tachs with their cups are too large fit between the tank and handlebar, but fit above the bar. Fatbob has 1 1/4 bars, which limits the bar mounted choices. There is an extra metal trim between the bar clamps so you can't put bar mounted tachs in the middle without cutting it away (or replacing the clamps). As mentioned above there are brackets that bolt to the riser bolts as well as mounts that replace the handlebar clamps.

 

Thanks everyone. The one in the pic looks a bit large on the bike. Sort of out of place.

 

I just added the silver face tach a few weeks ago. It was discontinued, but there are probably still a few still out there. Let me know if you have any questions on the install... not too difficult.

 

If it's discontinued better get it quick. I know you think it looks big. They actually call it the "mini" tach. I think it's 2 1/2" in diameter. A smaller one would be cool but I don't think I've seen one except the digital tachs.

I ordered some bags a couple of weeks ago. The first two types of bags I picked were discontinued and they were in the NEW cataglog. I asked why and the parts guys said some of the suppliers are going out of business. They still had the bags but the price went up almost $200.

Did the silver face tach go up in price as well or did you get it at the original price?

 

I tried ordering from a couple dealers online and they didn't have it. I got a dealer to print out a list of dealers that had it in stock and started making calls. I lucked out and found a dealer that had it 30% off on clearance.

 

make it easy on yourself-use a micro tach. If your bike is an '09, be sure to let Justin know as there's a mod for the '09's or it won't read above 5 k.

this thing works perfectly, easy install, and is unobtrusive

 

I have had the Harley combo speedo/tach since the bike was new without any problems.....yet anyhow.