Triumphrat

CYNCRZR · 07-14-2004

Anyone know if it's possible to re-calibrate the speedometer ?

Mine is VERY optomistic ?

At 70 indicated, I think I'm really about 63/64.

While this isn't a big deal, it'd be nice to know the true speed.

Until I figured this out I thought everyone on the highway was running at 80.

Cyn-

07-14-2004

I don't know if it will be compatible with any Triumph models, but there is a really good "electronic" product for this application called the YELLOW BOX. It is supplied by a guy in Australia - just like TuneBOY but not the same company.

What this product does is intercept the pulses generated by the speedometer pickup sensor and translates them to compensate for error in the speedo instrument. It has up or down step change error correction resolution in 0.25% increments, + or - 128 steps in either direction.

I have used several YELLOW BOXES on other bikes and they all have worked GREAT, and highly recommend the product. However, best make sure it is designed to be compatible with you bike BEFORE you buy. Price is ~110 USD shipped from Australia.

There is a website for the company's products but not sure posting that sort of info is allowed on this forum.

GaryD · 07-15-2004

Based on dozens of past postings from owners, Bonnie speedos seem to be universally right at 10% optimistic (I think this is becoming an industry standard). I have tried contacting over the past year, via the internet, several shops that claim to recalibrate any speedometer and have not received a single response. I have become accustomed to extrapolating the corrected speed, and I am very glad its not and odd % like 7 or 13.

In one of the August magazines, Road Bike, Cycle World or Motorcyclist have arrived I believe, there is a review of a GPS speedometer (has clock and many other functions) that looks very interesting. It appears to have a face about the same size as a Bonneville speedo and looks to be only about a 1/2" thick. I'll look it up tonight and get back.

Strangely, I have found my odometer to be very accurate.

CYNCRZR · 07-15-2004

The speedo thing will probably be less anoying in time.

Although it's kinda a letdown to know that I'm not really that much faster on this bike than I was on the Sporty on my favorite roads.

Here I thought I'd picked up 15+ mph in alot of places and really haven't.... just have to work on that.

The GPS speedo sounds real interesting, I'd appreciate the info if you find it.

GaryD · 07-15-2004

Try going from a windshield to none on a standard bike with upright ergos - it makes 60 mph feel like you're flying low and anything over 80 mph seem like punishment. Anyway, taking off the windshield temporarily gave me a vivid recollection of what 100 mph felt like on a Bonnie in the early 60's. I firmly believe that wind protection alone adds significantly to my cornering speeds.

vigneron · 09-22-2004

There is an outfit in UK who can make up a new dial for your speedo with adjusted increments marked on it. Obviously, you need to tell them what the correct increments should be, though. They are at www.superdials.com and charge about £80 for a new dial.
The other alternative to knowing what your true speed is goes something like 'I'm sure I wasn't riding THAT fast officer.....'

GaryD · 09-22-2004

Forgot about this one. I now think I know of two GPS speedo sources and will try to find tonight. Sorry for the delay.

[ This message was edited by: GaryD on 2004-09-22 09:54 ]

CYNCRZR · 09-22-2004

Gary -

No worries, I've finally adjusted.. Even thought it's disconcerting to go Flying by the Highway Patrol indicating 80 (really 71 - 72), they don't even blink & have yet to stop me.

Cheers, Cyn

Pwdrhd · 09-22-2004

From most everyone I've talked to, motorcycle speedo's read consistantly 10% faster than actual speed. Sometimes the math is a nice distraction on a long ride....

The best solution I've heard of (and will get arround to installing one someday) is to install a bicycle computer. They are inexpensive (less than $40) and can be calibrated to read exactly correct speed. Plus give lots of other useful info such as average speed, max. speed, total miles, another trip odometer (for oil changes) etc. The one downside is it is not lighted for night riding.

Scott

Hinckley · 09-23-2004

This looks like the answer:

Clicky

What doesn't it have? MPH, Odometer, Tach, Back-lit, Gs, HP, Torque, 1/8 mile, 1/4 mile, 0-60, Shift light..........

It's allot pricier than the bicycle computers but it does more and most importantly, it's back-lit.