wla speedometer lamp problem

[steveale]

The speedo lamp on my bike was not operational. Dissasembled everthing in the console and found the wire coming from the speedo lamp switch was snipped off and not attached to the proper terminal on the ignition switch. So I fixed that but had no continuity to the lamp socket. The spring/bar contact was very dirty corroded so I borrowed an emory board from the wife and cleaned up the contact. Lamp now works....but here is the problem....


My speedo is a repo and the original bulb location does not align to the hole/opening of the speedo. The bulb is bigger than the opening and about an inch away. I figured what the heck and re-assembled it hoping it would be enough light to at least dimly illuminate the speedo...no such luck.


Has anyone else run into this problem?

[1stCAVREG]

The problem you have run into is caused by the use of the reproduction speedometer. The aftermarket makers replicated a later model H-D speedometer and then tried to make it a retro fit by placing an early style face on it. They are inexpensive but they are what they are, cheap repop.

1936-1947 H-D speedometers are lit by the speedometer lamp bulb's light passing through a window in the front of the speedometer shell. 1948 & later speedometers are lit by a bulb in a special socket that is pressed into the speedometer shell. The dash base was redesigned in 1947 and has the room to accomodate the 1948 & later speedometer lamp socket.

You might find a small socket that would fit in the reduced space between the speedometer & the 42WLA dash base but you will have to remove your current speedometer lamp bulb and wire the socket into your speedometer lamp switch. However, something to think about. This is a cheap fix for a valuable machine. There is a reason that original 42WLA speedometers hover around $800 to $900 rebuilt. They work proberly and they add serious value to the machine.

First photo: 1945 42WLA with correct speedometer. The window can be clearly seen.

1945-42WLA-Closeup.jpg (243.9 KiB) Viewed 215 times

Second photo: Unrestored 1951 FL with original speedometer. The speedometer lamp socket can be seen inserted in the later style speedometer.

1951-FL-Closeup.jpg (241.73 KiB) Viewed 215 times

Third photo: Restored 1948 FL with restored original speedometer. The speedometer lamp socket can be seen extending down from the speedometer head.

1948-FL-Closeup.jpg (231.63 KiB) Viewed 215 times

[steveale]

You have captured the issue and solution(s) exactly. Thanks so much! I know it took some of your time to post all of this and I really appreciate it! At least now it will be there for others to reference in the future via search.

I think I will wire up a temp lamp and start watching for an original at a bargain price (ha ha)....

Thanks again,

steve

[GPA2196]

They are out there Steve.... there were a couple of NOS ones that went for 1500 each last year I believe. I waited patiently and found mine for about 800. I'm glad I did though.... it makes a difference even the speedo cable has to be replaced for the repro speedo. male/female issue.

Thanks,
Tony