New (secondhand) Clocks

Hi,

I've just got hold of a secondhand set of clocks to replace the botched together set that was on the bike when I got it - the rev counter only intermittently worked, and when I tried to fix it last week, I found that the whole thing had been screwed/glued together and was a mess inside.  So I decided they had to be replaced.

Anyway, the old set had recorded 61,965.  The newer set shows around 45,600.  Do I have to make any sort of declaration to DVLA to explain the discrepancy that will show up at the next MOT in June?

Jim

i wouldn't have thought so the mot proves mileage and when taking ownership the mileage input part is only optional on the form so i dont see why it would be mandatory to tell them. maybe the mot station could put a note on the sheet stating clocks changed for proof??

I'd say that since the mileage on the new clocks is lower, if you come to sell the bike, the buyer will trust you if you tell him that. However, getting a note put on the next MOT cert would prevent any future owners from "forgetting" the extra miles - especially since you can view all the MOT's online now, so that might be a good thing to do.

I don't think you have to tell them - I haven't heard of anyone doing it. I suspect if the MOT man is any good he might have a quiet word and try and find out what has happened.

You could connect up a drill to the speedo cable and leave it running for a while until you get to the right mileage. 17,000 miles @ 100 mph equates to about a week non-stop (24/7). I fear your drill might burn out before you got to the right distance...

I guess if you take it apart you might be able to turn the barrels of the odometer round until they read correctly - obviously you would want to be careful doing this, so maybe that's not a good idea either...

eternally_troubled wrote:I guess if you take it apart you might be able to turn the barrels of the odometer round until they read correctly - obviously you would want to be careful doing this, so maybe that's not a good idea either...

I've done this on a CB500. It's do-able, but you need to be careful to keep all the numbers lined up. The trip reset knob is held in by a tiny screw down its centre. Also, the rubber grommet around the aforementioned knob will need to be pulled to enable removal and installation of the speedo unit. Good opportunity to clean it all up, connectors especially and replace/upgrade the idiot lights.

Thanks again for the advice guys,

I guess I could instead take the speedo dial and odometer from the old set and put it in the new set.  Then I couldn't be accused of "clocking", even if it would have beengoing in the wrong direction with the mileage - i.e. up rather than down!!

Jim

jimbobs63 wrote:I guess I could instead take the speedo dial and odometer from the old set and put it in the new set.

D'oh!

I've taken photos of the new and old clocks side by side so that the mileages can be seen.  I'll take the photos to the MOT, along with the old clocks, and they can then make a note of the changeover.

In the meantime, if I feel confident enough having looked at the Haynes manual and the exploded diagrams on the David Silver/Lings website, I will take the new clock apart to see if I can replace the new speedo dial/odometer with the old one.

Jim

jimbobs63 wrote:.......if I feel confident enough having looked at the Haynes manual and the exploded diagrams on the David Silver/Lings website.......

You'll be fine! If you can adjust your chain and change your oil, you can remove, open and reinstall your clocks.