2 valid points there Martyn, though I never go off MOT regs alone - as you pointed out, a bike fit for MOT is not nesescarily road legal (speedo not being required is one of the obvious examples.)
Again, bikes without front or rear position lights do not need to have an illuminated speedo.
I'm just trawling through Constructions and use at the moment - I'm sure (about 4 years ago) I read that it had to be illuminated when the lights are on.
-- Edited by truslack on Friday 6th of July 2012 12:10:53 PM
I have another trail bike that didn't have a working speedo. An original fitting for it would be quite hard to find since it's a 1962 Triumph Tiger Cub.
In order that the bike would be legal on UK roads I've fitted a "digital computer" thing that's made for a pedal cycle. It is a wire-less version and works by a magnet fitted to a spoke and a reader fastened on the fork leg. The reader sends a radio signal to the speedo head fastened on the handlebars.
The head records speed (mph or kph), trip distance, overall distance, highest speed attained, time from start, average speed.
Martyn is right. A bicycle digital speedo is the cheapest option.
If you wanted an original Yamaha digital speedo then you need to check you still have the two connector blocks at the steering head plus the magnet and sender unit on the end of the sprocket output shaft.
Depends whether it's for MoT passing or to be within UK law.
A speedometer is not necessary for a UK MoT certificate. My Cub didn't have one at its first MoT, no lights either and only a bulb horn.
The UK law says that a speedo must be visible at all times - no mention of self illumination!
It's a moot point, but my Cub doesn't have any lights so the fact that I can't see the speedo lit up at night is no bother - it's never out at night or in bad visibility. The bike is still legal to ride on the roads - and especially the local lanes.