Mashed Dash...
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 264
Likes: 24
From: Jackson, MS
Mashed Dash...
I am in the process of u!@#$ing my 1990 Springer. On the list of priorities is re-adjusting the dash. I am not sure what state of mind the previous owner was in, but the dash was cocked to the side. I am not sure why or how it was messed up. I cleaned up the threads on the three holes that hold the base plate and installed new stainless 5/16-18 bolts. I reorganized the spacers. The short one was on the left and the two longer ones were on the right & in the front. I put the shorter one in the front and the two longer ones side by side. This seemed to correct the alignment of the dash.
Now I need to re-align the bottom plate below the dash. I am not sure what it is called. How do I removed this plate so I can hopefully shift it to the right? The pics clearly show the plate is shifted to the left. I already removed the allen bolt at the bottom.
Thanks, Shimaze
Now I need to re-align the bottom plate below the dash. I am not sure what it is called. How do I removed this plate so I can hopefully shift it to the right? The pics clearly show the plate is shifted to the left. I already removed the allen bolt at the bottom.
Thanks, Shimaze
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 360
Likes: 121
From: New York
I suspect that it is just stuck into the old paint or wax. Don't think he would have been dumb enough to glue it, but you never know. I think you'll have to pry it off. It will probably break. It's only plastic. Easy enough to find a new one on ebay. I suggest that if you go that route, that you spray the new one with clear to protect it from scratching. / P.S. there should be a rubber base under it. Can't see it in the photo. Good luck.
Last edited by fox chaser; Apr 7, 2015 at 03:50 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Herrin,IL
I have the same problem on my 92 springer, My base plate was bent and had the spacers wrong as well. I spent about an hour thinking Infixed it and it still sits my dash crooked. I have new rubber under my dash and my leather and dash are dont like one another. I might just break down and buy a complete setup and start from scratch with straight parts.
Another thing to check is your grommets on your flat side tanks. Mine are wore out and the tanks are kinda loose, so I have a new set to install soon to see if this may help
Another thing to check is your grommets on your flat side tanks. Mine are wore out and the tanks are kinda loose, so I have a new set to install soon to see if this may help
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
I had a similar problem with my 91 flstc. Spacers were wrong on mine as well. What did the most to correct the issue was this: check the bolts that hold the dash mounting plate. One below the speedo in the center holds dash cover down and one between the speedo and steering neck. I believe that there are two others that are a serious pain to get at but as you said check the spacers. On mine the one between the speedo and steering neck was broken. Common problem according to an old wrench I know. If broken replace with a grade 8 bolt and blue Loctite. That solved a lot of my issues.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 913
Likes: 5
From: indiana
the biggest problem is most likely your tanks are out of alignment bent tabs and holes not drilled correctly. if the tanks are not installed correctly the dash will never line up.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: ct
Yuuup, just pull the tanks and dig in to see what is what, replace that plate with something else.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 264
Likes: 24
From: Jackson, MS
Got it off
Fox, your guess was close. It wasn't glue, but it was the next best thing. The culprit was double sided sticky back tape. I pride up on the cover with a plastic tool used for car trim.
I put the dash back on, but the speedo sticks out a little too much. I didn't have much time to fool with it. I did notice the shorter spacer did not seem to fit the front middle mount. Now I am not sure what spacers go where? What is supposed to hold the tank panel in place? (instead of sticky tape) Is that bend supposed to be in the bottom base plate mount?
These pics are of the residual glue on tank and the
sticky back tape on the tank panel
These pics are of the three bolts & spacers, are all
the spacers supposed to be the same length?
Where does the short spacer go? Is that bend
supposed to be in the base plate mount?
Last edited by shimaze; Apr 9, 2015 at 01:00 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 360
Likes: 121
From: New York
Not too certain that the panel you have is original to the bike. But no matter. See that tab that slips under the dash? I would maybe take looksee if there's a spot to drill and tap (maybe 10-32) below it. Then clearance hole thru that tab, with countersink. Use a flat head screw with some blue locktite. Be careful on hole alignment. You screw that up and panel will be cockeyed! Don't overtighten either. If that "bend" at bottom is not fitting up right, could you use a dremel to fit it up snug? I guess you gotta sorta think outside of the box a little with this one. Same with base plate. Be creative. Nobody will see what's underneath. Good luck. // P.S. There IS supposed to be a rubber base under that panel. I can't guarantee, but will look in the barn to see if I have one. If you don't get a pm in the next 24 hrs. then sorry, I don't have one. Maybe something like cut an old inner tube to fit. Glue to bottom of panel? I Know. Kinda dorky. But that's me.
Last edited by fox chaser; Apr 9, 2015 at 04:07 AM.