Roadking Speedo/Tach on a Freewheeler

[Blueraven]

I've got the Harley Speedo/Tach version on my Heritage which is my daily rider.

I've so used to it when I get on my Freewheeler it irritates the hell out of me not be able to glance down and see the same information.

Nobody seems to make a replacement Speedo/Tach for a Freewheeler.

Likely simply because there's just not that many of them out there to justify the R&R and manufacturing cost.

From my research it appears that the Roadking Speedo/Tach will function just fine on the Freewheeler with the exception of no reverse or parking brake indicators.

Well if the parking brake's on or off that's easy to see and I don't back up that often so I could live without that.

Anyone out there made this swap?

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/Combination-Analog-Speedometer-Tachometer-MPH/p/74774-11D

 

[Jack Klarich]

Craig, while the speedo/ tach combo is cool and may work on your Freewheeler it may give a diagnostic error code knowing that the R and parking brake are not communicating

This is just a guess on my end knowing that the can bus electrical system does not play nice like older bikes. Good luck in your search

 

[Blueraven]

Drove past a Freewheeler today on the highway and they had what appeared to be a Triglide or some bagger fairing on it. I could tell by the gauges.

Anybody seen that before?

 

[MDO]

I had checked into this with my 17 FW, & was told by the dealer what Jack stated, it would throw coded for reverse & brake. I gave up after checking into getting 1 custom made for the FW, it was cost prohibitive, to me anyway.

 

[Blueraven]

I had checked into this with my 17 FW, & was told by the dealer what Jack stated, it would throw coded for reverse & brake. I gave up after checking into getting 1 custom made for the FW, it was cost prohibitive, to me anyway.

You and Jack could be right about a fault code.

But my thought is what would the speedometer have to do with communication between the Reverse and parking break functions?

As far as I can figure the speedometer is only an indicator device and I wouldn't think it would bi-directional communication.

I did locate one thread from 6 years ago from a fellow member who apparently made the swap and stated other than no reverse or parking brake indicators everything worked fine.

I tried to get in touch with the member but kept getting errors on the IM.

Other than the one post I can't find any information about this so I'll have to decide whether or not to roll the $320 dice to find out.

However the one member committed that until the speedo/tack has been on the bike for 30 miles it doesn't get married so perhaps if this doesn't work and I only test it for <30 miles it could be sold to get back some of my money.

I think maybe Dakota Digital sells a digital speedo/tack but it's pricey and I don't really like the look of it.

Decisions decisions..........

 

[Blueraven]

After doing as much research of data that's out there other than contacting the Harley Engineering Dept. I've come to the conclusion that the Road King speedo/tach should work on a Freewheeler just without the reverse and parking brake indicators.

However I still think it's a $350 roll of the dice if it will work.

So I decided to put that project off for a while and focus on increasing visibility.

I'll eventually swap the speedo/tach and will post a review once it's done.

 

[Blueraven]

I'll eventually swap the speedo/tach and will post a review once it's done.

Well I finally pulled the trigger on the Speedo/Tach.

This is a similar model that I have on my 2009 Heritage however I found there are a few differences with this “Road King” model but nothing to really speak of.

The installation took about 10 minutes.

As expected there’s no parking brake or reverse indicators so you’re kind of on your own there.

However for the reverse as you know you have to be in neutral to go in reverse and when in reverse the “neutral” light goes out so that’s my new “in reverse” indicator.

As for the parking brake; I’ll just have to remember to disengage it.

Any way I really like the gauge that’s been on my Heritage for years and I have no doubt I’ll like the similar version on my Freewheeler.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Looks great:clapping:

 

[JTJersey]

Blueraven that's awesome! Does the gas gauge work? Do all the indicators do what they're supposed to do? Does the switch on the left grip still cycle through the clock and all that stuff? Where did you get it and what was it originally designed for? I can live without the reverse and parking light indicator, as you said and that looks like a real worthwhile swap. Very nice!

 

[Zammy]

Craig, nice going and it looks great.

 

[Blueraven]

Blueraven that's awesome! Does the gas gauge work? Do all the indicators do what they're supposed to do? Does the switch on the left grip still cycle through the clock and all that stuff? Where did you get it and what was it originally designed for? I can live without the reverse and parking light indicator, as you said and that looks like a real worthwhile swap. Very nice!

Everything appears to work as it would on a Road King.

Everything is controlled with the thumb switch on the left grip.

It has the ABS, tire pressure sensor and traction control indications but the 2016 Freewheeler doesn’t have those features so they’re just dimmed out.

I didn’t think to check the cruise control light but I don’t know why that wouldn’t work as well.

If you have ABS I think there’s something the dealer has to do so it may be questionable if you have that option.

The primary purpose I wanted it other than the look Is I like the fuel and gear indicators which they work as they should.

Also I have the same unit on my heritage so I’m used to having all the features So missing them kind of sucks.

I got it online at Surdyke Harley Davidson for $275.

https://www.surdyke.com/PartsMain.a...5&Name=Touring&CatName=Speedo/Tachometer Kits

 

[Jack Klarich]

Very cool set up, does the odometer start over or is there a way other than the dealer scanner to transfer your actual mileage?

 

[JTJersey]

I was going to ask the same question as Jack. All the answers on Harley's website for that unit say the odometer reading is also stored in the ECM and will update the new speedometer in 31.1 miles. Apparently trip meter B starts a countdown mileage. Something about letting the techs use it for testing without actually permanently installing it.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/Combination-Analog-Speedometer-Tachometer-MPH/p/74774-11D

 

[Blueraven]

Very cool set up, does the odometer start over or is there a way other than the dealer scanner to transfer your actual mileage?

The mileage transfers automatically as that is stored in the ECM.

JT is correct, the trip B sets at 31.1 miles on install and counts down.

The way I understand it works is that once you travel 31.1 miles the unit is married to the bike and can’t be transferred to another bike so you’ve got a try and buy period of 31.1 miles.

I assume as long as you don’t get to 31.1 miles if you transfer it to another bike it will reset to 31.1 miles but I don’t know that for sure.

I don’t have a lot of time on this particular unit but I’ve had the one on my Heritage for many years and really do like it.

 

[Old Road Dog]

I have the combo speedo/ tach on my Dyna- love it! Have a new in box one sitting on a shelf for a year now- just havnt gotten around to installing it. Its for a RoadKing because the FLRT is a RK. Im thinking of tapping off the parking brake and running wires up to the handlebar nacelle and putting an led lamp in the right side bung. Dont need no R. Dont care about no stinkin R. I know when Im going backwards.

 

[rhino 2]

I have the combo speedo/ tach on my Dyna- love it! Have a new in box one sitting on a shelf for a year now- just havnt gotten around to installing it. Its for a RoadKing because the FLRT is a RK. Im thinking of tapping off the parking brake and running wires up to the handlebar nacelle and putting an led lamp in the right side bung. Dont need no R. Dont care about no stinkin R. I know when Im going backwards.

What the Harley reverse should have is reverse lights or like the Spyder I had… when you put it in reverse the four ways go on this way when you’re pulling of a parking space Charle Numb Nuts speeding down the isle realizes that you are backing out from a spot..

 

[Blueraven]

Im thinking of tapping off the parking brake and running wires up to the handlebar nacelle and putting an led lamp in the right side bung.

Now that’s an idea.

 

[JTJersey]

Blueraven have you been able to get the 31.1 miles to reset the odometer yet? Any oddities showing up? No warning lights about anything, I trust? I have ABS on my '21 Freewheeler so hopefully that will work with no issues. In all the pics of this speedo I see what appears to be an LED light that looks like the number "6" near the O mph mark. Any insight into what that is? Sorry for all the questions, but you've gotten me interested in this and I'm probably going to order one soon.

 

[Old Road Dog]

6= 6th gear. On my Dyna it really stands out. And the bazillion color combinations can really impress a date. She'll either be hypnotized and the worlds your oyster or run inside and call her momma to come get her. Could go either way.

 

[JTJersey]

6= 6th gear. On my Dyna it really stands out. And the bazillion color combinations can really impress a date. She'll either be hypnotized and the worlds your oyster or run inside and call her momma to come get her. Could go either way.

:laugh:

 

[Blueraven]

Blueraven have you been able to get the 31.1 miles to reset the odometer yet? Any oddities showing up? No warning lights about anything, I trust? I have ABS on my '21 Freewheeler so hopefully that will work with no issues. In all the pics of this speedo I see what appears to be an LED light that looks like the number "6" near the O mph mark. Any insight into what that is? Sorry for all the questions, but you've gotten me interested in this and I'm probably going to order one soon.

Haven’t had time to go on a long run with it so I haven’t hit the end of the 31.1 mile try and buy period.

It’s supposed to be in the upper 60s today so perhaps I can sneak out of work early and go for a ride.

As for the “6”; that’s to indicate you’re in 6th gear however what’s picture on the Harley site is what appears to be the older model which is what’s on my Heritage.

The model I got for my Freewheeler which is for the newer Road King does not have that “6”.

Here’s a picture of the older model that’s on my 2009 Heritage:



Here’s a picture of the newer model that’s on my 2016 Freewheeler:



Instead of the “6” the newer model has warning lights for “low tire pressure”, “vehicle hold control” and “traction control.

They both have the “ABS” indicator even though a slightly different icon.

Left- older model—- Right- newer model



If you have the “Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS)” that I believe includes “ABS” it appears that the Speedo/Tach requires programming to the ECM using the Dealer tool “Digital Technician II” likely so it can communicate the status of the RDRS and ABS systems for the indicator lights.

This is what’s listed in the installation instructions:

“Digital Technician II is required for vehicles with RDRS and ABS installation.”

This might prevent those with a newer Freewheeler that has the RDRS and/or ABS systems from adding this Speedo/Tach as the Dealer tool might see the the ECM is on a Freewheeler and not allow the ECM to get updated since this Speedo/Tach is not designed for the Freewheeler.

I would think a quick call to the Dealer would get an answer as to whether or not the ECM could be updated or not.

I bet even if the ECM can’t be updated the unit would still work however you might not get the “traction control”, “vehicle hold”, or “ABS” lights.

As for me however if something is related to braking, I wouldn’t roll the dice on it as an error in the system could be catastrophic.

Today’s vehicles are so computer controlled if any programming is required often times everything has to match up or the computer will not allow for anything to update and then nothing works right.

 

[JTJersey]

Thanks much. Keep us posted as this progresses. Have a good ride. It's supposed to be in the 50's today so I'm going to try getting on the road for a bit today myself.

 

[Blueraven]

Thanks much. Keep us posted as this progresses. Have a good ride. It's supposed to be in the 50's today so I'm going to try getting on the road for a bit today myself.

You may want to review my last post as I did some editing and adding a few more details.

 

[Old Road Dog]

Cant figure out how to post a pic here.Anyway the schematics show the "parking brake switch" which is actually a proximity switch consisting of the glued on magnet on the backside of the brake arm and the sensor cable.The sensor cable comes off the brake arm goes under the trike and has a 3 place molex( only 2 used) connector on its other end ( 276B).The other half of the connector(276A) has two pins tan/green( to BCM) and black green to BCM ground and speedo ground. This connector is behind the cooler/ fan UNDER the front of the trike hidden by a plastic cover which also houses the fan connector. Your gonna need some degreaser cause guess where all that oil went when you changed the oil filter? One more reason I did the DK oil filter relocation. Contrary to what one might expect unless one were an electrical engineer- Im not, the open pole of the switch actually indicates P lamp on and pedal down. Relase P brake pedal up and the circuit closes and is grounded by the BCM and P lamp turns off. One of the quick tests for a bad switch is to disconnect the two halves and turn on ignition switch. If lamp turns on you have a bad switch.( but first adjust the magnet air gap) Whats the point of all this? Well I want to install a parking brake auxiliary lamp with the new speedo.

 

[Blueraven]

Got a 60 mile ride in today.

The speedo/tach worked as it should.

So if you don’t have the RDRS or ABS system option I highly recommend going with this speedo/tach.

If you do have the RDRS or ABS systems before you make the purchase I would certainly contact the Dealer to confirm if the ECM on your Freewheeler can be programmed to this Speedo/Tach.

However you do have the 31.1 mile “try and buy” period so if go for it and it doesn’t work you likely can just return it. Just don’t travel more than 15.5 miles from the shop.

 

[Old Road Dog]

FYI: Dakota Digital has an all digital speedo model MLX 2011 that supports the 2021 Freewheeler R lamp and traction control lamp.And..bluetooth! Pricey but what isnt these days.

 

[Maxwell]

FYI: Dakota Digital has an all digital speedo model MLX 2011 that supports the 2021 Freewheeler R lamp and traction control lamp.And..bluetooth! Pricey but what isnt these days.

So, is this a plug and play replacement that has all the Freewheeler information on it? Is there a downside, other than the price?

 

[Old Road Dog]

It swaps right out and locks to the BCM in 100 miles. On my '18 the R lamp works but the P lamp is not supported. I just tapped off the parking brake wires and installed an LED in the nacelle bung. When the sun is over my shoulder the rpm numbers wash out but the data panel turns white so its no problem. All in all Im happy with it.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Drove past a Freewheeler today on the highway and they had what appeared to be a Triglide or some bagger fairing on it. I could tell by the gauges.

Anybody seen that before?

My buddy's 2019 with a factory Street Glide fairing.