Actual Mileage/Speedo/Motor/bike Q.

Pony Ruiz · Oct 29, 2011

Ok

so I swapped out a 40k motor for one that had 17k on it. long story....

Anyway,

I have a speedo that says 17k on it that came with the motor and misc. parts I got in my purchase of an 83 Interstate. I am making the assumption it "belongs" to this motor.

I plan on keeping the bike for awhile but when the time comes to sell I know lower miles is attractive to a buyer.

Should I swap out the speedo to go with the motor now so the actual mile read right on the motor and keep track of the actual miles on the bike?

Or not?

dan filipi · Oct 29, 2011

I would leave the original speedo because 1. Lower is more appealing but also 2. That's the miles of the bike which is the true statement on the title when selling.

mcgovern61 · Oct 29, 2011

I keep a spreadsheet (attached) that tracks frame miles, engine miles and other parts. My '82 speedo was destroyed by weather and seized when I got it. The bike had 23k miles on it (and the title matched). When I restored the bike, the engine came from the '81 parts bike and the speedo had around 43K on it. That engine had over 147K on it per it's title. The '83 engine had around 53K on it when I put it in. Sooooooo......which mileage is correct?????

The frame holds the mileage for the title.......the title reflected the original frame mileage from 12 years before I got it (something like 12K from a transfer in in '93)........so I did not consider 43K as unreasonable for DMV to accept (per '81 speedo) so when I transferred the title, I listed the mileage at 43K (this was before I got the '83 engine). (Seems like the best option). So the mileage is tracked by the '81 speedo (currently at 60K). If and when the bike is ever transferred, the mileage will be close enough for all of the mixed mechanical parts and the engine.

I still track the original frame miles for myself anyway!View attachment Maintenance Record.pdf

Pony Ruiz · Oct 29, 2011

Ok

I guess the new buyer of any of these bikes (and newer ones too) takes a bit of a leap of faith buying one knowing not all is original / accurate / or correct.

I always give as much info as I can selling (only 2) - and I am not holding out for the last bottom dollar either.

Thanks McG for that spreadsheet. I've got one on how much $ I've spent/received on bikes and stuff - so I can see how much over budget I am on some of it.

I'll leave the orig. speedo. It has like 39k+ and I'll start a spreadsheet on the maintenance.

Joep · Oct 30, 2011

Some may see the change as a way of falsifying the title.. and if the mileage is lower then the title has on it.. then big questions may come up... as for lower mileage attractive... that is anything other then a wing.. miles and condition comparison mean more.. older bike low miles may mean it had sat too long at one time or another... good over all condition and higher miles shows that it has been ridden and cared for.. may be the better investment.. mine I have to replace the speedo.. ( thanks Dan).. so miles will be off but a before picture showing a bad speedo... ( the face on mine is 90* turned to the right..can't see mileage pics will be posted in next day or two).. will show why it is different... as long as the speedo is working don't swap