Topic: Early Speedo and Tach Backing Plates.

[BenelliSEI]

Some time ago, somebody on here asked me about these chrome backing plates. Unfortunately I can’t remember who, so I hope you see this post? Spotted them today, and remembered the question.

I think it was when I was having some parts rechromed for the Sandcast. I ordered these from Honda Canada and was a bit surprised when they arrived. Instead of two different parts, one part is slightly modified to fit both the speedo AND tach. If I’d read the description carefully, it does actually say it fits both. Part Number 37236-300-305. Since I wanted to stay accurate, I had the original parts redone (at 3 X the price of these!).

The originals are two distinct shapes and not interchangeable. Anybody else noticed these and used them? I never actually checked to see how they fit.

[ZTatZAU]

Some time ago, somebody on here asked me about these chrome backing plates. Unfortunately I can’t remember who, so I hope you see this post? Spotted them today, and remembered the question...

That was me, John.  Thanks for following up!  I originally asked you if both plates had a hole at the 2-clock position for the speedo's trip meter knob and if so, thought the extra hole on the back of the tach could be closed with a rubber plug and not look too bad. 

I haven't yet stripped the gold paint off my original backing plates to see how the chrome looks; but that's an awfully large opening on the bottom of the plates for the cable and wiring.  Way bigger than I think was necessary for the early Ks anyway.  I just had a look at my original plates and I think individual bottom holes for the drive cables and wiring harness, like the originals, would have accommodated both the speedo and tach.

For someone not so concerned about accurate originality, what would you need for these replacement plates if you decided to get rid of them?
ZT

[BenelliSEI]

I’ll have to see what I paid for them. Check your local dealer, that number may still be available?

[ZTatZAU]

I’ll have to see what I paid for them. Check your local dealer, that number may still be available?

As many here may be aware of, I'm still feeling my way along on a lot of this... including the ins and outs of interpreting the Honda K0, K1, &K2 Parts manual I have.  But after you posted the part 37236-300-305 number and those pix, I took another look at my parts book.

I'm never really sure how or what extra those extra part numbers mean, that appear indented in a new line (usually under the description column) under the Original (?) part numbers for an item.  Hopefully someone can explain this part number format in the parts listings and what those extra part numbers indicate and/or apply to?



In this case (but not in all cases), on the speedo-tach page, the number of required plates for each K variant are lined up with the indented second part number rather than any being on the first line with the original part number.  In any case I must assume such indented numbers represent superseded part numbers that may or may not apply to current and earlier model years.  Do I have this somewhat correct.

Anyway, I noticed that the (37236-300-305) part number John (BenelliSEI) posted for the "universal plates" was shown in my parts book but seemed to apply only to the Speedo bottom plate.  Whereas, the bottom plate for the tach had a different indented part number (37246-300-305).  So my hunch is that if the first part number for the speedo is still available, perhaps second number for the tach plate (without a trip meter hole) may still be available too.

As always, any thoughts, comments, or corrections are appreciated.
ZT

[BenelliSEI]

I’m pretty sure when I tried to order the two numbers I was told only the one is available and does both gauges. Try ordering and see what comes available?

I notice on EBay JTMARKS a has a new set of the original style available for $150. Maybe you should grab those?

[CycleRanger]

I’ll have to see what I paid for them. Check your local dealer, that number may still be available?

I'm never really sure how or what extra those extra part numbers mean, that appear indented in a new line (usually under the description column) under the Original (?) part numbers for an item.  Hopefully someone can explain this part number format in the parts listings and what those extra part numbers indicate and/or apply to?

In this case (but not in all cases), on the speedo-tach page, the number of required plates for each K variant are lined up with the indented second part number rather than any being on the first line with the original part number.  In any case I must assume such indented numbers represent superseded part numbers that may or may not apply to current and earlier model years.  Do I have this somewhat correct.

Anyway, I noticed that the (37236-300-305) part number John (BenelliSEI) posted for the "universal plates" was shown in my parts book but seemed to apply only to the Speedo bottom plate.  Whereas, the bottom plate for the tach had a different indented part number (37246-300-305).  So my hunch is that if the first part number for the speedo is still available, perhaps second number for the tach plate (without a trip meter hole) may still be available too.

As always, any thoughts, comments, or corrections are appreciated.
ZT

The indented numbers indicate at what serial number the parts change takes place.

In this example from the parts list PN 37246-300-009 is used up to serial number 2066241.
PN 37246-341-621 is used from bike serial number 2066242.
This is from the K1-K2 parts list but the format is the same in later versions.

[Lucien Harpress]

I've got that style on my bike.  While the tach and speedo don't "technically" interchange on the early models (the speedometer plate requires a hole for the trip reset), they WILL interchange with later gauges that ran the gauge drive out of the center, rather than the slightly off-center for the early models.

I was worried about the extra hole being too visible, but surprisingly the headlight and wiring harnesses to a really good job of hiding things.  To me it was worth saving the price difference between what I got and more accurate (but pricier) options.

[BenelliSEI]

I've got that style on my bike.  While the tach and speedo don't "technically" interchange on the early models (the speedometer plate requires a hole for the trip reset), they WILL interchange with later gauges that ran the gauge drive out of the center, rather than the slightly off-center for the early models.

I was worried about the extra hole being too visible, but surprisingly the headlight and wiring harnesses to a really good job of hiding things.  To me it was worth saving the price difference between what I got and more accurate (but pricier) options.

Your right! The new ones are about $30 a piece. I wish I’d seen the JTMARKS EBay option before I had my originals rechromed. I don’t even want to say what that came to!

[ZTatZAU]

The indented numbers indicate at what serial number the parts change takes place.

In this example from the parts list PN 37246-300-009 is used up to serial number 2066241.
PN 37246-341-621 is used from bike serial number 2066242.
This is from the K1-K2 parts list but the format is the same in later versions.

Thanks CR!  I did have the serial number thing figured out... i.e. part number applicability based on serial numbers... but later model part numbers seem to always appear at the beginning of a new item and description.

I was really asking about the "indented" numbers like the 37246-300-305 indented from the original applicable part number 37246-300-009, (in your picture) on a new line directly below the "tachometer plate, under" description.  I have to assume these are superseding part numbers for the item they're associated with.  Is this always the case with these "indented" part numbers?

I've got that style on my bike.  While the tach and speedo don't "technically" interchange on the early models (the speedometer plate requires a hole for the trip reset), they WILL interchange with later gauges that ran the gauge drive out of the center, rather than the slightly off-center for the early models.

I was worried about the extra hole being too visible, but surprisingly the headlight and wiring harnesses to a really good job of hiding things.  To me it was worth saving the price difference between what I got and more accurate (but pricier) options

Thanks Lucien, I appreciate your feedback and description of how the Honda "universal" (one plate fits both gauges) plates look on your bike and how the gaping opening on the bottom (from 5 to 8 O'clock) is designed to accommodates even later model gauges with different drive cable routings.

Your right! The new ones are about $30 a piece. I wish I’d seen the JTMARKS EBay option before I had my originals rechromed. I don’t even want to say what that came to!

I checked with Honda today and it appears it's the same down here as it is in Canada.  Only the 37236-300-305 "universal plate", to fit both gauges, is still available.  I was quoted $41 US per each for them today.

I also had a look at the "original plates" in the JTMARKS listing you suggested.

And FYI, you may or may not be aware that, while those plates do look just like the original plates, you have to scroll down and read the description to realize that JTMARKS' plates are NOT NOS HONDA; but rather new aftermarket reproductions.

Thanks again for all the info!  ZT

[CycleRanger]

The indented numbers indicate at what serial number the parts change takes place.

In this example from the parts list PN 37246-300-009 is used up to serial number 2066241.
PN 37246-341-621 is used from bike serial number 2066242.
This is from the K1-K2 parts list but the format is the same in later versions.

Thanks CR!  I did have the serial number thing figured out... i.e. part number applicability based on serial numbers... but later model part numbers seem to always appear at the beginning of a new item and description.

I was really asking about the "indented" numbers like the 37246-300-305 indented from the original applicable part number 37246-300-009, (in your picture) on a new line directly below the "tachometer plate, under" description.  I have to assume these are superseding part numbers for the item they're associated with.  Is this always the case with these "indented" part numbers?

Is it always the case? I couldn't say.

[69cb750]

Yamiya has the original covers - https://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=246_251_183_98&products_id=465

[PeWe]

K2 had 2 different gears where cable is connected to the speedo or tacho.
On the side or straight. I think the later and much cheaper cover is for both.