Canadian speedo on US bike

I've been toying with this swap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Yamaha...3db3c&pid=100338&rk=17&rkt=30&sd=201790315561
I wonder how much I'd need to change. Could I simply take the speedo and install in my instrument cluster? I wonder if I could swap speedo and not odometer, so I'd still have correct mileage indicated.
Has this been done before?

 

This one is pretty also, but not sure on size:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351334606402?vectorid=229466&item=351334606402&rmvSB=true

 

Ive never converted one of these but it seems like you could make it simpler by swaping just the face inside the one you currently have with one tops out at the same mph/kph.

 

I probably should have stated my goals.
I dislike the red starting at 55. It's a throwback to when folks thought drivers need a reminder of "safe" speeds. I also like the idea of a speedo that tops out a bit higher. If it they were of the same top-speed, yes, swapping the gauge back certainly makes sense.

 

1. Yes it's been done. Swap the whole cluster.

2. You cannot swap the odometer seperately from the speedometer as they are an assembly that cannot be separated without damaging the unit.

3. Swapping faces will give you a KPH speedometer that shows the wrong speed, and it won't be in MPH. The calibration for the speedometers are different. The amount of needle swing at any given KPH is not the same swing for the equivalent MPH because of the 85 MPH limit on the U.S. speedometer.

 

I was thinking that since mine is primarily MPH but also has small numbers and KPH that if you were to swap the face with the MPH smaller and the KPH on the larger side it would be compatable as long as it tops out at the same MPH/KPH

I believe you tho, you seem to be never wrong about anything on here lol

 

You may be right, but looking at the gauge faces the KPH speedo looks like it has a different amount of needle swing for the MPH given on the face than the U.S. gauge does. Regardless, when swapping the face the odometer will then have a plate that says kilometers, when it really measures miles, and altering that is a big federal no, no.

 

If you put something from Mexico on it, you'll could then call your bike ALENA...

 

And that ^ is what you tell the cop when he pulls you over for speeding!

Chances are good he will tell you to save it for the judge as he scribbles out a ticket . . . . like after I put oversized tires on my YJ (jeep) and mentioned the speedometer gearing wasn't changed yet . . . . Changed the gearing, brought the receipt to court, told the judge and he said; "That's all fine and well, but what about these other three tickets in the last 12 months?"

Busted!

Just got the jeep with the I6 in it and she would get up and go! I'm older and wiser now (watch for speed traps).

 

I have the perfect totem to prevent speeding tickets.
I have kept my first (and only one) in my wallet for the past 29 years.

 

You need a British one. Still in mph but with the span/range you are looking for. They do come up from time to time on ebay.co.uk and ££s are cheap for you right now.

 

Every time I see this thread, I'm expecting to see pics of Justin Trudeau in a teenie weenie man bikini riding an xj.

 

Well, we all have our fantisies. Clearly mine are different than yours.

 

Let me get this straight - are you saying the British speedo head has MPH marked above 85MPH, and will fit in the cluster housing of a 1980 XJ650 Maxim? The speedo/tach gauges are not fully round on this bike.

If so, i'll be watching EBAY over there in earnest. Be nice if the speedo and tach didn't redline together - in 3rd gear. Heck, that is where the fun begins in eastern NC!

 

I don't like that my '83 speedometer tops at 85 MPH, but then, I have no business driving my XJ that fast...even though the speed limit on South Dakota freeways is 80 MPH!

I have learned to extrapolate my speed above 85mph by using the tachometer in 6th gear. Not that I go that fast very often *cough* *cough*

 

I don't know about Maxims. The OP was showing 550 Seca clusters. We did get 650s but again only Secas. If the guts will fit the case then yes you could be in luck..

 

the seca cluster can be used on the maxim then the voltage meter could be hooked up, directional indicators could be rewired to work as well. just leaves the fuel guage not functioning

 

would rather see this speedo on my bike than this one

 

Do I smell a calendar idea? whos going to participate?

 

at that point i do not even look down to see to busy looking ahead.........

 

Extrapolate? That means more than 1 operand in the mathematical equation. Can't extrapolate and operate the motorcycle simultaneously. CPU too old.
Guess i'll affix a small 2 column redline cheat sheet to the tach face center with gear and MPH information. Seeing sure is believing though. Something very satisfying about seeing and exceeding the TON on the SPEEDOMETER.
Got to put SD on the bucket list! Posted 80 MPH speeds? Excellent! I bet the bears up there have some serious ponies under their hoods....
Cheers!

 

My drive home today, and no state trooper can ticket me because I'm driving the speed limit!