1979 CB750 Limited Edition Speedometer

[RodneyCB750K1979]

I'm shopping for a speedometer on my 1979 CB750L. I located one that is off a 1979 CL1100.  Are the ratios the same on these speedometers?  Seems like the wheel/tire size would determine the ratios.  Are the wheel and tire sizes the same on the CB750 and CL1100 bikes? Any comments to help me in my buy decision would be appreciated.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Couple of issues with your question...

I am not aware of a CL1100, if you meant a 79 GL (GoldWing) it's a 1000, the 1100 came out in '80.
Let me ask you this, is it an 85mph unit or a 150mph? The 79 GL 1000 had a 150, while the GL1100's had a 85mph unit. (until some 83's and on)

From what I researched, both your 79 CB750L and the 79 GL1000 have a 19" front wheel if that is what your after. I'd bet they are both 2240:60 ratio (2240 RPM @ 60 MPH) kind of a Honda standard.
 

[RodneyCB750K1979]

Thanks alot for the info.  My speedo is 150 mph.  Looks like I can expand my search to other Honda models.  

[Hoosier Daddy]

OK, this must have been working in my head all night... Since you just asked about the ratio's I am thinking you already know but thought it worth mentioning.

Your CB750 Limited has a insturment cluster like this , right?



The 79 GL was not in a "pod" type cluster, more like individual gauges with a center idiot light panel. The kicker is the Odometer placement...



So unless you are doing an entire insturment cluster change over, they are not a direct swap...
But, as I said earlier, I bet the ratios are the same.
Hope that helps, hate to see you get something that wouldn't be what you were expecting or overlooked.

[750K8]

I looks like you are going to need a 1979 CB750 Speedo, there's no way around it.

There are many people that will repair your speedo. I'll try to contact them.

What exactly is wrong with it?

[RodneyCB750K1979]

First, the speedometer would not register speeds above 40 mph.  I disassembled the speedometer unit and in the process of trying to pull the indicator needle off the shaft, the indicator needle broke in half and the shaft broke somewhere underneath the mechanism body. The indicator needle was in need of replacement anyways as it was curled.  The tachometer is also showing some indicator needle curvature so it would also need to be restored at the same time to match.  I reassembled the speedometer less the indicator needle and mounted it back in the instrument cluster. The odometer is still functioning.

[RodneyCB750K1979]

Just installed a 0-85 mph speedometer I picked up from Ebay.  Will check the speed indication accuracy to see if the ratios are the same.

[750K8]

If everything is good, then all you need is to send it in for a new faceplate?

[Hoosier Daddy]

 

750K8 wrote

If everything is good, then all you need is to send it in for a new faceplate?

I don't think so... If the new speedo pegs at 85 mph and you only stick a face plate on it that is displaying 150... and run the bike up until it pegs the speedo, It  still be at 85 actual speed but will indicate 150.
All you did was change the number locations on the face, the guts of the speedo have no idea what that is. Since it can't read the numbers all the speedo knows is this many rpms is 85 mph... and that is pegged no matter what face you put on an 85mph speedo.

[TOOLS1]

But wouldn't it be really cool to peg a 150 mph speedometer!!!!!!!!
TOOLS