I think I found one of the most awesome and easiest ways to mount your gauges
to the headlight brow using deep chrome sockets. It costs under 10 bux which
makes it extra nice, and it looks like a factory install.

Parts required:

two chrome 8mm deep sockets (may be able to use other sizes)
4 stainless steel washers
two 3" ss allen bolts, same diameter as stock but longer to fit sockets accordingly (I used 3").

Note: This mod should work without a hitch on
the 883 std and 1200R. In some instances, folks
have reported that the spacing between the holes on the gauge
mount did not line up perfectly with the holes on the eyebrow.
Most were able to quickly remedy the problem with a dremel or
other comparable tool. The mod will not work on stock 1200/883 Custom models
without additional modification.

easy install, pic says a thousand words, what do you all think?
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/529/1148mmsockets.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a203/sporty04/front_gauges.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a203/sporty04/top_view.jpg

I like it a lot - let me ask this to the group - where do you get bolts & stuff? I'm at a loss for shopping around for allen bolts & torx head screws & all of that. Is there an online supplier?

Thanks
Speedy

Looks good Xena!
Did you have to change any cables with the 4 inch pull back risers you have?

Xena, I am surprised at you.... Using a "Metric" socket? I assume it is because that is the only thing they are good for right? LOL

PS Great idea. I used aluminum tube from the local Home Depot and had to cut it to length. The only advantage to the tubing is you can cut it to what ever length you want.

Looks good Xena!
Did you have to change any cables with the 4 inch pull back risers you have?

Just the front brake line. I went to a braided one. Some people out here said they bent the stock brake line to fit but I wanted braided anyway because it's just better.

To the other guy: You can buy bolts and stuff at any good small town hardware store, or even Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

Rainman, the reason I used the 8mm is, i wanted the narrowest socket i could get that the bolts would go through and that was the smallest Ace Hardware had so I grabbed them.

That looks pretty nice!
I alway go to Ace for my hardware. They have them separtated in well-marked pull out trays and even have CHROME hardware now!

Xena, I think it worked great. If I had a crome brow, I would use the sockets as well. Chrome the easy way..... SWEET

This is what I love about the forum. Everyone can learn from everyone. :-)

I love seeing stuff like this!

I would just get the cable as well. Your risers were 4inch right? or are they 6?

I think that's friggen brilliant.
:clap

Well done Xena! :clap


Bart

that was the smallest Ace Hardware had so I grabbed them.


What!!! Ace hardware. Geez. You could have at least splurged a little and got craftsman sockets for your scoot. Maybe even Snap On if you were feeling extra special. :D





Just kidding. Good idea.

Are they chrome plated sockets great idea :clap

Lol. Barry. It was actually a last minute brainstorm while I was at Ace for something else. If it were pre-planned I prolly woulda gone with craftsman. Snap on, forget about it. I can't afford their stuff.
Yeas they are chrome sockets mountbkr.

What a simple but great idea! Looks nice too and ya can't beat the price. :D

HI.

It all how you look at things, when the wife drags me to a store(Kickin' and screamin') I try to look at the stuff there with the iDEA, WHAT COULD I DO WITH THIS FOR MY BIKE?
That is how I got the gauge covers for my Oil and Chrging gauges, they are cut down stainless steel drinking cup.
I did that socket trick on my old 88 to mount the speedo.

Looks good.

Great idea, Xena. I am not sure I would have ever come up with that one. FWIW, the brow isn't neccesary for this mod'. Where the brow is mounted, there is still a little chrome face piece that is bolted down. You can remove those bolts and go from there. Hell of an idea, Xena!

Send this to Gronk to be put into a tips post. This is the kind of stuff that should be in there!

Very good idea and cheap too!!!! :clap :D

Harley Davidson will introduce a similar kit for 2006. The Kit will cost 299.99$ ..... :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :frownthre

Very good idea and cheap too!!!! :clap :D

Harley Davidson will introduce a similar kit for 2006. The Kit will cost 299.99$ ..... :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :frownthreOf course.

That is of course if you want the Screamin Eagle setup.

Screamin' Eagle Sockets with performance enhancing logo = $100.00 each.

Harley-Davidson chrome bolts = $50.00 each ($25 for H-D zinc bolts)

Very good idea and cheap too!!!! :clap :D

Harley Davidson will introduce a similar kit for 2006. The Kit will cost 299.99$ ..... :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :frownthre

Thats no joke thay will :cry1 :cry1

Top idea takes a woman :clap :clap :clap

Grayfeather.

THANKS for posting this Xena :clap

I did this a couple of weeks ago but used a little larger sockets

Thanks xena, that's a really cool way around my problem. I'll give it a shot and see what it looks like on mine. Thanks again.

Man..I love stuff like this!! Thanks Xena...fantastic idea girl! Had never changed the risers til now..and BOOM I knew how to mount my speedo. This has got to be one of the Greatest Sportster sites around... :clap

I know this thread is a little dated but i had to thank Xena for this tip I put a custom handle bar clamp on and no way the black speedo mount would look right on it great idea

That is awesome looking...I have the same risers and used 5/16/" ID finishing tubing for bathroom fixtures...Chrome of course,,,,The problem I'm experiencing though is that my 3" bolts keep braking...Has anyone else experienced this and have you been able to resolve it?

Thanks,
Z

The problem I'm experiencing though is that my 3" bolts keep braking...Has anyone else experienced this and have you been able to resolve it?

Thanks,
Z

Michael, honestly, you are the first person I have heard say this. I've had the sockets on since the beginning of March and no breakage. I used stainless steel 3" allen head bolts. Do you think that maybe it's possible you are overtightening the bolts? Thats about all I can think of.

Xena... you go girl...

Awesome idea Xena! I wish I saw this post before I bought my set off Ebay.
There's a guy who fabricated this setup and charged about 20.00 bucks. It's basically two allen bolts with chrome sheaths (sp).

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/Bite_014.jpg

I think I found one of the most awesome and easiest ways to mount your gauges to the headlight brow using deep chrome sockets. It costs under 10 bux which makes it extra nice, and it looks like a factory install.
Parts:

two 8mm sockets (the deep ones)
4 ss washers
two 3" ss allen bolts

what do you all think? Nice huh?
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/529/1148mmsockets.jpg
Very nice, good idea but with my small windshield moving the gauges back would make them hit the shield.

Very nice, good idea but with my small windshield moving the gauges back would make them hit the shield.

Not sure that's true of all of them Grey. I think Xena has a small shield mounted to her bike now.

METRIC...!!! Now was THAT really necessary Xena.... Metric, well I never....

Not sure that's true of all of them Grey. I think Xena has a small shield mounted to her bike now.

Season is here so giving this a much needed bump.................

I know this thread is dated, but there have been at least two people within the past week who were looking for a fix like this, and yes, Erik is correct. I now have a memphis shades el paso shield and while the gauges are close, I can adjust it so they do not hit it.

Getting to ready to do this mod. Off the top of your head, can someone tell me the bolts needed? I know they are around 3", but is it a chrome 5/16" fine or course thread?

Thanks again.

I used 5/16 coarse threaded for mine. I had to use stainless steel though - no chrome bolts in any stores near me.

Xena - A great big thank you for a brilliant idea!

I was wondering if I could do something like that!...but being a noooob I was looking in all the custom chrome catalogues!

PS you want to sell them the idea!!

I added 4 1/2 in. pull back risers to my 07 and found that the holes on the speedo are about 3/16 in. wider than the holes on the eyebrow. Has anyone else had ot reem out the holes on the speedo bracket to get the bolts started? I would not think they would change the spacing.
Thanks
TJ

Very ingenious looks great!

Great idea! I never would have thought of it. Now you've just got to get those unsightly wires run through the bars...

i bought two 3" Stainless Steel 5/16 course threaded allen bolts, two washers and two 12mm sockets for a 3/8" drive. They were the same length as Xena's, but a little wider and didnt taper at the end.

Nice, I prefer homemade to store bought items.

Xena quick Q on your speedo mod... Will it mount over the light even if i dont use risers? I'm considering the mod for a diff look. Thanks for help!

I wonder if this'd solve my problem. I've got a 2" tach and a can for it that I'd like to mount but for the life of me, I can't find a 2" bracket with which to mount it. I've found 2" doubles but not just a single gauge bracket. Has anyone out there seen or installed such an item in the location of this mod? :dunno

I wonder if this'd solve my problem....

I doubt it. You have a 1200 Custom, correct?
Which means your bike doesn't have the "eyebrow"
piece above the headlight.

Prebs & Ejohny, it'll work on a custom as I did it on my 06 1200C.
Here's a shot of it from my gallery...http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/speedomount1.jpg

Great mod capttawes, but
quite a bit more involved
than just the parts list I
posted. Might you be willing
to do your own write up based
on the mod for a custom?
That would be more helpful than
just a link to a photo. I pm'd you.
:)

I had a similar idea about 10 years ago (sorry). I mounted drag bars on 4-1/2" risers on my XLX and decided I wanted them a little higher. I bought a couple of big chrome sockets that were slightly larger in diameter than the risers. Put them between the top triple clamp and the risers and used 1-1/2" longer bolts and presto! 6" risers.

Xena, thats perfect!..... I don't like the way the guages are on the bars... I'm probably gonna do that this weekend

thanks

Ww

I doubt it. You have a 1200 Custom, correct?
Which means your bike doesn't have the "eyebrow"
piece above the headlight.
OK, I dorked-out again! :doh I just looked at your original post, Xena, and saw the comments in blue about not working on a custom. At first glance, the reflections on your risers sort of give the appearance of being from a custom -- well at least they did to me! Thanks for not calling me a dumbass when I deserve it!! :D

Use stainless steel bolts.I did not and they broke off inside the triple tree.I was maybe going too fast on a bumpy road.This happened twice ,yeah I know I'm a slow learner.I have since installed a custom riser w/speedo that I bought on ebay.I don't really need the tach.And I much prefer the new look.

I just finished up the "Xena Mod" on my '07 Sporty. Thanks for the tip and many thanks for this great forum!

Reading the many posts keeps me entertained on the often rainy days of the north Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.

With this mod will your windshield still fit? Thanks for the great info!

Thank you ZENA!! I have been searching for a way to get my tach and speedo better oriented after installing pull back risers. I was very close to spending some $600 to $700 on a whole new mini setup and then I came across your post.

It is absoltely brilliant, I dropped everything I was doing and went to the harware store and spent $20 (only because I found chrome bolts was it even that expesive). I came home and did the deed!!

It is a beautiful thing...the tach and speedo sit perfectly visible and out of the way.

I love it and I love you!

Remz

Oh and by the way my removable sport wondshield still fits..the acorn nuts on the windshield bracket touch the speedo and tach, but it doesn't seam to hurt anything. Could always schange the acorns to regular lock nuts for clearance...but I'm happy the way it is.

:tour

I'm considering replacing the sockets with 50 cal. rifle shells. Polish up the brass or have them chromed.:)

I want to do this to my 04 XL asap. I'm wondering how the stock riser will look after removing the speedo. I'm not changing bars and risers until this winter.

Gonna have to do a little filing or grinding to the speedo bracket so I can get the bolts started, but it sure looked good when I had one bolt holding it in the new location.

Anyone that is having trouble with the holes lining up could also just machine a little material off of the unthreaded part of the bolt instead of enlarging the holes on the speedo bracket and losing a little bracket strength. About 0.060 of an inch should do the trick. I wish I had thought of this before I ground on my bracket.

I wonder if this'd solve my problem. I've got a 2" tach and a can for it that I'd like to mount but for the life of me, I can't find a 2" bracket with which to mount it. I've found 2" doubles but not just a single gauge bracket. Has anyone out there seen or installed such an item in the location of this mod? :dunno

I had one made....
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1384/6513001/13626727/256712943.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1384/6513001/13626727/256712939.jpg

Swankster

:bump

I was asking about relocating my speedo a couple weeks ago and didn't know about this mod. This is such a great idea it should probably be a sticky!
:clap

:bump

I was asking about relocating my speedo a couple weeks ago and didn't know about this mod. This is such a great idea it should probably be a sticky!
:clap

Ah...it is. :shhhh

Ah...it is. :shhhh
I am such a dumbass:doh ... I found this in a search and somehow the word "Sticky" failed to register.:laugh

I think it is more impressive that you found something using search. :laugh

I've been trying to get my own sticky thread for a long time now. It is good to have goals I guess. Maybe I'll get one for Christmas.

I've been trying to get my own sticky thread for a long time now. It is good to have goals I guess. Maybe I'll get one for Christmas.

Which thread is that? PM me the URL.

I like it a lot - let me ask this to the group - where do you get bolts & stuff? I'm at a loss for shopping around for allen bolts & torx head screws & all of that. Is there an online supplier?

Thanks
Speedy
sendpm.gif

Try here:

http://alloyboltz.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.gardner-westcott.com/motor_pdf.html

I have used these guys and have been real satisfied with their chrome bolts nuts ect...

http://www.boltdepot.com/
Fast shipping too...

Ride Safe

Don

:iagree
I have used the boltdepot.com in the past fast shipping & a good product.

I completed this mod on my bike today. I have stock risers with mini apes so I used standard sockets (with the deep sockets too much wiring was visible). Worked great. Thanx Xena!

Thanks, Xena. I installed 4.5 inch risers with a 1 inch pullback, and the wiring looked ugly, and the gauges sat up like Mickey Mouse ears. Found your post the other day. Used 3/8 drive, 1/2 inch deep sockets with 3.5 inch S.S. socket head bolts and washers. Thanks for the great idea!

This is exactly what I've been looking for. I'm planning on putting 3-1/2 inch to 4 inch risers on, and I don't want my Mousekateer gauges flying high in the wind. I'll contribute photos to the thread when I'm finished.

Anyone have any pics from a bit further back instead of just close-ups? Really great idea!

Marc

Anyone have any pics from a bit further back instead of just close-ups? Really great idea!

Marc

Check out Xena's gallery...she's got a link to it around here somewhere.

EDIT:
http://xlforum.net/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/13745/cat/529

That looks great!

Thank u sir!

to the guy that said about the 8mm sockets you won't use them anywhere else on the bike

That is really good idea looks nice

Just a heads up to anyone doing the mod -

1. Craftsman sockets are too skinny inside to fit a 5/16 bolt until you get the 1/2 or 13mm sizes. DAMHIKT.

2. With the Craftsmans, the bolts need to be 3.5 inch (which is tough to find in allen-head). Bolt-depot.com has them, but the shipping on small orders makes the $1 chrome washers at the stealer seem like a deal.

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but are these the correct bolts for this mod?

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=77065

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but are these the correct bolts for this mod?

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=77065

No, I recommend the 5/16 x 3" 'Socket Head' not a Hex Head. Socket head can be tightened with a 1/4" Allen Key.

Ok cool got that. My main concern is the thread. They have 11 and 18, and both are called "coarse thread". Which do I want?