01.
Richard chose the hard...
01.
Richard chose the hard black anodize gauge to fit the Nightster's blacked-out look. As you can see, the wires are color-coded to ease installation of tapping into the stock instrumentation wiring. Also, the gauge adjusts up and down to fit different riders' dimensions.
Joker Machine, located in La Verne, California, makes really trick parts for all things motorcycle, especially Sportsters. Joker released a new Sportster Speedo Side Mount Assembly ($224.95) to clean up the frontend and handlebar setup by relocating the speedometer to the left side of the gas tank on the left fork tube just under the top triple clamp.
The mount is CNC-machined from billet aluminum and is available in either hard black anodize or clear anodize. The top of the mount has Neutral, turn signals, high beams, and oil indicators, which are made visible at night via LEDs and easy-to-see white filled indicator symbols The best part is that the mount has color-coded wires to tap into your stock instrumentation wiring. It fits '04-later Sportster models and gives your Sporty a definitive look apart from stock.
When we caught wind of the new mount, we had to get our hands on one pronto and install it on our friend Richard's '08 Nightster. He did the project in about two hours in his garage using basic tools as we snapped some pics of the process.
02.
Here's a shot of the...
02.
Here's a shot of the stock speedo assembly on the Nightster. It works but kind of sticks out like a sore thumb.
03.
Richard started by removing...
03.
Richard started by removing the stock speedo/riser assembly and pulled the speedo out. He then unplugged the harness from the back of the gauge along with the stock instrument wiring.
04.
Since the Nightster's...
04.
Since the Nightster's top riser clamp is also the stock gauge mount, Richard ordered a flat Harley top clamp ($15.95) and tightened it and the bars down. Richard didn't have a lift or jack, so he couldn't pull the front wheel in order to slide the left fork tube down as Joker instructs. He went a different route and loosened the pinch bolts on both sides of the triple trees, removed the fork stem bolt from the steering head (neck), and used the bars/top tree for leverage to raise it just enough in order to slide the new mount onto the left fork tube.
05.
…And loosened the pinch...
05.
…And loosened the pinch bolts on both sides of the triple trees, removed the fork stem bolt from the steering head (neck), and used the bars/top tree for leverage to raise it just enough in order to slide the new mount onto the left fork tube.
06.
With the top tree lifted...
06.
With the top tree lifted up, Richard slid the Joker mount in between the gap and checked for clearance issues with the gas tank. Once he found the desired location, he tightened the mount down and re-installed the top triple clamp/riser/handlebar assembly.
07.
Richard needed to install...
07.
Richard needed to install the stock instrument panel wiring to the new gauge mount. Joker provides a thorough wiring diagram to make notes if needed. Butt connectors are attached to Joker's wires so Richard simply hooked them up and crimped them down. You can also solder the wires if you desire. He then covered the wires with the supplied plastic bellows style loom and the installation was done.
08.
Richard was stoked on...
08.
Richard was stoked on the speedo's new location. He also liked how much of a difference it made on the handlebar assembly, nice and clean. Check out Joker's website for a cool video on how the mounts are made.