Hello, I'm rebuilding a 97 VFR, and mistakenly wound up buying a gauge cluster from a 93. Not only do the mounting bolts on the cluster not match the bolt holes on the gauge bracket, but I have the sinking feeling that the 94-97 generation of VFR uses an electric speedometer drive, while the 90-93 gen. uses a cable drive. I looked on the front axle/wheel of my 97 and found no cable mounting point. I'm building the bike as a naked/streetfighter, so they're are no worries about fairings and body work not matching. Does anyone have any information that would be useful? I'd like to use the gauges cluster I have, but don't want to do a total hack job. Thanks, Scott Fair Asheville, NC s_fair@bellsouth.net
I'd just put it on ebay and either get the 4th gen gauge or get a Acewell or some other aftermarket gauge set. The aftermarket gauges are probaly cheaper and smaller. Thats what i'm looking to do on my 96VFR fighter. As for trying the one you have, maybe use a 3rd gen front wheel and speedo drive hub. Don't know if the spacing is different, but i think the forks are the same. If you haven't already check out customfighter.com for some sick fighters and good info on fighter mods. Good luck whatever you chose.
3rd gen+ bikes speedo is driven from the front sprocket, not the front wheel. Also, the 93 cluster won't fit (I do not believe) the 94 - 97 because the fairing stay is different. Yes you are correct the 94 - 97 are electronic speedo's, not cable driven. As for aftermarket, I got a Trail Tech computer from Rider Warehouse. It was less than $100 and it uses a magnet (mounted to the front rotor) and magnetic pick up to read how fast you are going.
