So I'm trying to understand how to install a speedo. Does my engine have a spped sensor that I plug into on the engine / tranny, or do I need to run it to the front wheel? If I can go to the engine, where is the port?
Thanks.

 

To my knowledge(limited), they were all cable driven until '96.

You can get a kit to add a sensor to your rear axle. I saw it in JP Cycles. I'm looking into it myself, but with the speedo and all the final bill will be North of $500 and its just not that important to me right now..

 

Yeah - I was checking catologs and was surprised to see the prices of these speedos. North of $500 doesn't surprise me any more. Using a front wheel system, what's the procedure for that? Also, can you give me a link to that rear wheel kit you were looking at? Thanks.

 

i have a 90 and it runs off the front wheel. i bought my speedo off ebay, new for under $80.00. been working great for over 5,000 miles now. they also have them with a tach built into them.

 

Mine is driven off the front wheel. I'm very familiar with the whole system, as I've been through about 6 cables and 6 drive gears over the years and 75K miles. In 86, they are mounted on the right side and the cable is longer and has a bend in it. In 87 they mount on the left side and the cable run is straighter. The Sportster (left side) has only had one cable replaced in 50K miles.

I suggest getting a genuine H.D. drive gear and genuine H.D. speedo cable (if possible) and going for a left side mount, then get a speedo off eBay and you should be around $200. The drive gear also acts as a wheel spacer on the axle.

As a side note, I can swap out a drive gear in about 15 minutes, and a speedo cable in 30. I have unfortunately had a lot of practice. Usually on the road to Sturgis.

 

Here's the one I was looking at.

And something like this.

 

Thanks. So, once you remove the front wheel, how do these attach? And since we're on the subject, how do you remove the front wheel? (YES - a factory manual is in my future - but first let me buy and install the speedo). Thanks again.

 

And another question - if I went with something like this (copy and paste):
www.chopperscycle.com/page/VTS/PROD/78-342/28247

It's a rear unit; how does that work? It says it clamps on to the rear wheel spacer and counts the pulses. Then do I just run that to a compatible electric speedometer? I must have to splice these into the wire harness somewhere / somehow, right?
(Please bare with me - it's only hard the first time, right?)

 

I wouldnt recomend either one w/o the manual. It can be done, but you'll need Tq specs too.. I might have missed it, but what bike do you have? The front axle will need to come out and the sensor will replace a spacer, I suppose. Dont you have a speedo at all??? The rear will clamp on, but you will have to be creative, make and install the wire harness.. Keep us postedd on what you end up doing, I'd like to know how it all works out..

 

I know about the manual - It WAS an '89 Softtail but it's been heavily chopped. At this point I think the only original parts are the frame, engine and trans, maybe the calipers, so yes, the manual would be helpful, but would only apply to minimal components I would think. And no, no speedo now plus it's not the original front wheel anymore.