1981 mandated gauges suck

I've got a 1981 kz750e2, it has the mandated gauges that only go to 85 mph, with 55 mph highlighted in red.

I'm not saying 85 is not enough, its just that I pin the speedo so easy and then I cannot tell how much faster I am going. I don't ride like an idiot, i mean everyone's gotta let loose at the right moments.

The question i'm getting to is, can any other un-mandated gauge be substituted for my current one, or is there a modification I can perform to make this speedo read semi-accurately up to 100 mph? (I like knowing when i hit the ton). If it's a stupid idea or too much work i wont bother, i'll just ride beside a friends stang or something.

Thanks for any help guys.

Look at the RPMs when you are going 50mph, then double the RPMs will be 100mph.

The speedometers should interchange. Just find one on Ebay that has the same size front tire that you have.

loudhvx: Thanks for your very valid suggestion, until or if I cannot get a new setup for my bike I shall use this idea. Thanks

Milkman: Thanks for your info also, that's one of the things i was wondering also, was if the speedos from different years/models will bolt right up and use the same cable. I'll start researching similar wheel size models.

I had a 81 KZ1000CSR that had the same problem. I mounted a set of gauges from an 84 ZN1100 Spectra. They go to 160MPH

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Does ur bike use a speedo with a cable drive or is it electric? I have a couple of speedos here I would be willing to part with if u can use them.bj

hocbj23 wrote:

Does ur bike use a speedo with a cable drive or is it electric? I have a couple of speedos here I would be willing to part with if u can use them.bj

It has a cable driven speedo. Send me an email or something with details.

I was also wondering if the whole instrument panel will have to come off, and if that is hard to do with all the wires, etc.