HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => General => Topic started by: dubepj on June 01, 2023, 03:15:20 PM

Title: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: dubepj on June 01, 2023, 03:15:20 PM
When my total miles or KM goes black from LCD leaking is it possible to use old style cable drive speedo?  Apart from the Speedo and cable what else do I need? Can I install the drive unit on the newer wheel?
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: Hossamania on June 01, 2023, 06:55:20 PM
The front wheels for '95 (mechanical speedo) and '98 (digital speedo) are the same number, 43005-86, but '98 is "c" revision. Not sure what that difference is. The rest of the parts should all fit. But none of the speedo parts are available from HD except the cable. Unfortunately the '98 speedo is not available either.
The easiest repair would be to source a used digital speedo. Finding all the pieces for a mechanical speedo would be a lot more work. Also, mechanical speedos fail too.
I've heard of guys repurposing bicycle odometers to work. Might be something to look into at a good bike shop.
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: Hossamania on June 01, 2023, 06:58:12 PM
Google bicycle odometers, there are some independent reviews, Amazon has a bunch, all kinds listed.
Tried to post a link but failed. (See the test section)
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: Fugawee on June 01, 2023, 08:17:34 PM
https://www.bestreviews.guide/bike-odometers?&origin=google&google_params[matchtype (https://www.bestreviews.guide/bike-odometers?&origin=google&google_params[matchtype)

See if this works...
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: Hossamania on June 02, 2023, 05:52:24 AM
Quote from: Fugawee on June 01, 2023, 08:17:34 PMhttps://www.bestreviews.guide/bike-odometers?&origin=google&google_params[matchtype (https://www.bestreviews.guide/bike-odometers?&origin=google&google_params[matchtype)

See if this works...

That's the page I tried to link but the address was about two pages long. Thanks Fugawee.
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: Ironheadmike on June 02, 2023, 10:09:16 AM
There has to be a notch in the hub for the tang. You'll probably have to do some wiring for the dash lights .
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: 14Frisco on June 02, 2023, 11:01:50 AM
Quote from: Ironheadmike on June 02, 2023, 10:09:16 AMThere has to be a notch in the hub for the tang.

Not in the hub, the notch is in the disc.
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: Hossamania on June 02, 2023, 12:40:01 PM
Quite a few parts needed for the conversion. Most are unavailable new. Finding good used parts might be a challenge, unless OP has a line on them and that's why he asked.
For me, I'd be looking for a stock replacement speedo, but that doesn't guarantee a working odo, just like OP's.
I've had the mechanical speedos. They aren't great.
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: cheech on June 05, 2023, 07:27:47 AM
Quote from: Hossamania on June 02, 2023, 12:40:01 PMQuite a few parts needed for the conversion. Most are unavailable new. Finding good used parts might be a challenge, unless OP has a line on them and that's why he asked.
For me, I'd be looking for a stock replacement speedo, but that doesn't guarantee a working odo, just like OP's.
I've had the mechanical speedos. They aren't great.
On the Softails no less with their vibrations.
There probably isn't a mechanical speedometer Softail around with any reasonable amount of miles with the ODO reset knob still.
They either vibrated loose and got lost or the vibrations broke them.
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: dubepj on June 08, 2023, 07:09:30 AM
If I were to convert to old style Cable drive would I lose the auto cancel function for my signal lights??
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: Hossamania on June 08, 2023, 07:24:44 AM
What about getting yours repaired? I googled Harley speedometer repair and found a few places.
Title: Re: 1998 Heritage Softail Speedo
Post by: Hossamania on June 08, 2023, 07:35:39 AM
Have you looked at Ronnie's for the difference between 1998 and 1995 (last year of mechanical speedo) models? Everything is different, the dash, the turn signal indicators, neutral light, high beam indicator, all of it. Not sure how you make any of that work. As far as losing the turn signal auto turn-off feature, I think that is the least of your problems.

Go to the instrument assembly on each of these pages.

1998
https://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel/13/harleydavidsonmc/284#

1995
https://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel/13/harleydavidsonmc/200#