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Instrument cluster - MPH Instrument cluster - MPH
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  #1  
Old 26 Feb 2014
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Instrument cluster - MPH
Hi all,

I have relocated to the UK (from Sweden). In order to get my motorcycle registered in the UK, the speedometer should indicate the speed in MPH.

On speaking to the the local dealer, I was informed that I have to replace the whole instrument cluster. That is £600 plus fitting costs

The Vehicle Certification Agency, which is responsible for the registration, indicates the following:

...For this change (i.e that the fitted speedometer is capable of indicating speed in miles -or both miles and kilometers) we can only accept the following options:

a) That the factory fitted speedometer is dual marked as standard
b) The existing (digital) speedometer is, permanently, re-programmed, through a standard feature of the vehicle, to display the vehicle speed in mph
c) A miles per hour speedometer is fitted in-place of the factory fitted unit
d) A professional, single, miles per hour, overlay is applied directly to the speedometer face plate, not the glass front plate (the overlay must be durable and accurate, with markings visible in both day and night driving conditions).
e) A dual marked dial / facia has been added as a replacement to the factory fitted one

I am particularly interested in option D or E. Please note that my motorcycle is an R1200R -12. If anyone knows or has and idea on how I can do this, I would much appreciate a reply.

Many thanks,
A.
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  #2  
Old 26 Feb 2014
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Speedo from a wrecker ?

Alternative - non standard speedo ... eg $260 DIGITAL SPEEDO/TACHO/TEMP GAUGE - Munich Motorcycles

Pulling the speedo apart and then fitting a new face to it won't be cheap.
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  #3  
Old 26 Feb 2014
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have you checked ebay?

Can you use a bicycle speedo?
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  #4  
Old 26 Feb 2014
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Smile
Fit a Touratech IMO- $600 cheaper than £600 !
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  #5  
Old 27 Feb 2014
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I would have checked if it was possible to use a speedo-healer or similar (google it).
If it’s possible you can keep everything else stock and get a speedo I MPH and the odo will be in miles.
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  #6  
Old 28 Feb 2014
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Thank you all for the thoughts. I am afraid I have to be within the options that VCA gives me... unfortunately they don't accept other solutions.
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Old 28 Feb 2014
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Akritas "On speaking to the the local dealer, I was informed that I have to replace the whole instrument cluster"
It is in the interest of your local dealer (bmw?) to tell you this.... $$$

There is no reason why you could not leave your original speedo in place and fit an additional one which reads in mph.
The IMO can display in Kph and Mph- IMHO a very useful option for travel - you may be able to find a second hand one although they are likely to be rare.
I imported and re-registered my F650 in the UK with an IMO fitted -no problems whatsoever.

and Mezo is spot on ( pun intended!) on the headlight beam.
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Old 28 Feb 2014
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My 1977 BMW R100/7 has both a kph speedo and a right hand dipping headlight (and always has had) and never has any problems with her MoT. I just added a couple of white painted marks at about 30mph and 70mph.
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  #9  
Old 28 Feb 2014
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Thank you for your inputs guys. The "problem", in first place, comes from VCA, which accepts only specific modifications. As far as I can see there are plenty of suggestions but VCA does not accept (all of) them.

The official BMW dealer does not give other solution apart from replacing the cluster. The instrument is fixed and they cannot interfere with the interior. But they are happy to fit a used cluster which meets the specifications of my bike (i.e same model, year etc - R1200R /12), if I am lucky to find one.

To fit a sticker with readings in MPH on top of the speedo glass is not an option.

It seems that replacing the cluster is inevitable. The headlight does give a flat beam -no problem there.
Cheers/
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  #10  
Old 28 Feb 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
...There is no reason why you could not leave your original speedo in place and fit an additional one which reads in mph.
I have to check that with them Bertrand. However, it raises other issues like calibration, placement (not much space available if I have to use a GPS). Thanks anyway.

This is what I have>
http://www.gaadi.com/auto-reviews/wp...5/IMG_0072.jpg

This is what I need>
http://www.ridermagazine.com/wp-cont...nstruments.jpg
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  #11  
Old 28 Feb 2014
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Akritas- I just spoke to James Sherlocks and Motorworks-
alas without success.
That instrument cluster is bespoke for that bike only so the only way is either a new OE one or finding a second hand one which will take time.

Maybe the IMO route is worth investigating.
It's really small approx 120mm X 80mm X 34mm so easy to mount on a bracket- even a home made one is no biggie.
The signal would be taken from the wheel where you would have to mount to small magnet/pin arrangement-
Certainly do-able (and approx half the price of a new bmw cluster) if bought from Germany on a week end trip!
Last edited by Bertrand; 7 Nov 2015 at 23:48.
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  #12  
Old 28 Feb 2014
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There are times when I am really glad to have an Enfield. a new OEM speedo is £35 and you have a choice of colours and MPH, Kph or both.

maybe and Enfield one would fit your bike. You could mount it on an Enfield Rev Counter bracket (just a few pounds).
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  #13  
Old 1 Mar 2014
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The KPH speedo shouldn't be a problem for the MOT or every day use, my R80G/S has had one for years but is needed just for the one off inspection to register it here. Would it be possible to borrow an MPH speedo from another owner just for the inspection?
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