Hot Rods Model A instrument cluster

Want to upgrade speedometer ,Has anyone used a motorcycle unit?
They are small but not sure the work the same as car type.
The stock unit goes to 80 mph.
Any suggestions welcome . I can enlarge the original hole but wanting to go 3 1/2"

 

If you find one that fits make sure it has a 1:1 calibration(1000 cable rev's per mile) some motorcycle speedos are calibrated differently.

 

Your main problem is clearance between there tank and the instruments unless you are going to cut the tank. I (acknowledging that tastes may vary) would go with something like the era correct aftermarket ones in the pictures or mount the instruments in the right cowl panel. Keep the stock instruments in the dash including the speedometer unless you plan to go over 80MPH, in which case you can carry a GPS to measure speed.

Charlie Stephens

 

I have seen a few Harley speedometers in hot rods over the years, mostly old flathead manual transmission cars. I cannot tell you how accurate they were or if they had changed the original speedo gears to make them read right but they function the same as a car speedometer.

 

Here it is mounted on the dash.

 

I used my stock 28/29 "A" oval speed-O,above 80 it just dosen't show. I used the top of"A" cable and splice bottom of 57 ford cable n housing to it,as thats what my 3speed tranny ,is going to 65Mustang rearend and 265/50/15= speed is with in One mph of GPS at 55. I didn't try for that,it just was.

 

I'll be running a V6 Vortek. 7004r or R4
Not sure the proper nomanclacher.

 

I like those column mounted gauges. where did the hardware come from?

 

Speedhut makes this one , it is GPS = accurate and only one inch deep , the sensor is magnetic and mine is mounted on the lip of the windshield frame , tucks under the dash rail ( see pic )

 

If you are addressing this to me I think they came from Bratton's. I have a set I bought 20 years ago and assume they are still available. They are probably designed for a smaller diameter gauge but it looks like there is room to enlarge the hole. The one in the photo looks like it has been enlarged for the newer gauges.

Charlie Stephens

 

Thanks, Charlie.

 

I cut my stock gauge panel and added a pie cut piece of metal, welded back together. That let me run a deeper stock Stewart Warner speedo. Still running the cowl gas tank.

 

Way back when, I used one from an Indian MC....

 

I like the Autometer gauges I used. I have the small tach and volt meter on the column.

 

I did this for a friend's 29 roadster.

 

I like that set-up. Looks like Snyder's carries that bracket.