Speedometer

[Bd107vs]

Has anyone had issues with the vdo speedometer only working part of the time, and is it possible to hook up a vdo gps unit to the existing speedometer?

 

[BigDogRick]

I assume from your ID you have a vintage bike with a 107 and a vintage dash over split tanks? The old VDO speedos do go bad and when they do you are left to find a very rare replacement. I have a 2000 Vintage Classic Millennium Edition and am currently running my third speedo at about 110,000 miles. I have found two used speedos to replace my burnt up original. anyway, you should check the connection of the signal sending wire in the five pin connector on the back of the speedo. I went an entire riding season in Michigan when my bike was a few years old and that was all it was when we went to troubleshoot. Another more easily repaired item would be the speed sensor - but it does not usually come and go, it normally works til it doesn't.
The VDO Teknics Speedos on the Vintage bikes are programmable (calibratable). There are instructions on line for these VDO speedos for a setting you can select with the button that allows you to measure a mile with a second device (smartphone with app or gps) and tell the speedo when you have traveled exactly a mile and it calibrates it for speed reading.

 

[Bd107vs]

I assume from your ID you have a vintage bike with a 107 and a vintage dash over split tanks? The old VDO speedos do go bad and when they do you are left to find a very rare replacement. I have a 2000 Vintage Classic Millennium Edition and am currently running my third speedo at about 110,000 miles. I have found two used speedos to replace my burnt up original. anyway, you should check the connection of the signal sending wire in the five pin connector on the back of the speedo. I went an entire riding season in Michigan when my bike was a few years old and that was all it was when we went to troubleshoot. Another more easily repaired item would be the speed sensor - but it does not usually come and go, it normally works til it doesn't.
The VDO Teknics Speedos on the Vintage bikes are programmable (calibratable). There are instructions on line for these VDO speedos for a setting you can select with the button that allows you to measure a mile with a second device (smartphone with app or gps) and tell the speedo when you have traveled exactly a mile and it calibrates it for connections and try it tomorrow.

 

[Bd107vs]

Thank you, I will finish cleaning and checking connections, and try it out tomorrow

 

[Mickmorris]

Most likely the connections need to be cleaned if it’s working sporadically.

 

[Scott k9 2004]

I have a 2004 k9 and mine cuts out from time to time.

Do you guys know how to see the milage on the display? A button somewhere? I live in Sweden and it has to be inspected every 2 years.

 

[Mickmorris]

Hello Scott. Welcome to the forum. If your BigDog is a 2004 it’s most likely a Chopper not a K9. I think the K9 series kicked off in ‘05 or ‘06. 250 rear wheel? Anyway my speedometer on my ‘04 Ridgeback has a little button at the bottom but I think it’s a aftermarket model. Take a pic & attach it if you can. Cheers!

 

[Scott k9 2004]

Hello Scott. Welcome to the forum. If your BigDog is a 2004 it’s most likely a Chopper not a K9. I think the K9 series kicked off in ‘05 or ‘06. 250 rear wheel? Anyway my speedometer on my ‘04 Ridgeback has a little button at the bottom but I think it’s a aftermarket model. Take a pic & attach it if you can. Cheers!
View attachment 104912

Thank you for the warm welcome. Yeah you are right about it not being a K9. The local bike shop here said that it was a good thing i bought a 2004 as parts can be swapped with Harley parts. It would not be easy to get Big Dog parts in Sweden after 2006 I think he said. I do have a 250 rear wheel.

I have a digital display but found the button you mention while riding yesterday. Thing is the display isn't working today so was not able to see the trip meter. Oh well, It is a dream to ride!! I am loving it. Its around 15 celcius in the day here so still getting out lots.