Hey guys, finally rode my dad's 49 today. Wow! I definitely need to practice alot to get used to it!

Anyway, one thing I noticed. Speedo doesnt work. Any tips on troubleshooting? TIA!

 

Take the cable loose from the trans and see if the cable pulls out from that end if it does the cable is broke

spinning the cable if the speedo moves up and down the trans gear is bad if not the head needs work

 

Good to know. Why would the head need work? Cylinder has something to do with speedo gear?

 

Does the speedometer look like this? Not kinda, sorta, yes except that are an ansewer. This is correct for 1948-1950 HD



These units are gear-driven. The cable goes from the unit itself (the head) to a drive that runs off the transmission. If it is not functioning it is either the cable, the gear that drives the unit or the speedometer itself.

An original speedo is going to cost you about $300 for a rebuild. John Bordas is the"man" to do it. The c h i n k **** that are copies are about $29 and will last about 29 days before taking a dump. No one rebuilds the Tawain Ted crap.

Can you post a pic of the speedo face. It will be an easy tell if it is real or Memorex.

What johnjzjz is providing is a way to determine if the speed is functioning properly

 

My dad must have changed it out, see attached.

 

Yes been changed out. now the question is it is a Stewart Warner. If so it is worth the rebuild, and as I mentioned, John Bordas is the go-to for that. Not cheap but the best, I beleive, in the USA. The Stewart Warner sig should be at the base of your speedo unit in small white lettering.

Great to see that you are riding your dad's Pan. Way to go! Looks like a good looking custom

How about a couple more pics of the bike and maybe what you can tell us about it.

 

Think he pulled it off a 2000 Road King that I sold. My though was he could see the numbers better because they are alot bigger.

Here's a few pics of his Pan.

 

Rode it for the first time yesterday, man its fast and powerful! I need to ride more to get the hang of it.

Here is a closer up of the tach. I'm wondering if it's not hooked up maybe?

 

its a re pop - the trans is a 5 speed that uses a front wheel speedo and you have a springer that does not have an aperture - look on the rear wheel to see if the cable operated drive is on that -- the bikes is way past custom to even consider bringing it back - enjoy it don't worry about the small stuff

 

Sweet looking custom. Wonder if its possible to mod the front axle to allow for a speedo unit front wheel drive. Like John said, enjoy it. Just by your statements I can see you riding with a huge grin on your face.