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techtalk:ih:elec03f [2025/02/24 17:32] – [Speedometer (74-85)] hippysmacktechtalk:ih:elec03f [2025/02/24 21:06] (current) – [Speedometer (74-85)] hippysmack
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 ====== 1970-1985 Speedometers and Tachs ====== ====== 1970-1985 Speedometers and Tachs ======
 ===== Speedometer (74-85) ===== ===== Speedometer (74-85) =====
 +**A short piece on national speed limits**: \\
 +January 1974 marked the beginning of a 55 mph National Maximum Speed Limit (NMSL) across the country on a state by state basis. ((NHTSA TECHNICAL REPORT, DOT HS-805 694))  However, 10 states adopted a 55 MPH speed limit in Novemeber of 1973. Over the next four months, every state in the country had done the same. From 1976 to 1979, studies shown between 6000 and over 7000 lives per year was saved due to the 55 MPH speed limit. In September of 1979, the 55 MPH speed limit was made into national law and the NHTSA added a provision into a regulation focusing on speedometer accuracy to place an emphasis on the 55-mph mark, and for a maximum speed reading of 85 mph. This was to help drivers "adjust" to the 55 MPH mandate. This is why speedometers changed to reading only up to 85 MPH in 1980. Though the 85-mph mandate only lasted until the first months of President Ronald Reagan’s first term in the White House in 1981, most manufacturers kept the reading at the bottom right of their speedometers until the vehicles were redesigned years later. \\
 +
 In 1974, the MoCo started using Nippon Seiki (Japan) gauges. \\ In 1974, the MoCo started using Nippon Seiki (Japan) gauges. \\
 There were three different part numbers used on Sportsters from 74-79 all having a range to 150 MPH. \\ There were three different part numbers used on Sportsters from 74-79 all having a range to 150 MPH. \\
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 {{:techtalk:ih:elec:speedometer_1974-1979_xlh-xlch_by_moon_wolf.jpg?direct&300|}} ((Photo by Moon Wolf of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/162473-71-speedo-q/page2?t=1745575&page=2))\\  {{:techtalk:ih:elec:speedometer_1974-1979_xlh-xlch_by_moon_wolf.jpg?direct&300|}} ((Photo by Moon Wolf of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/162473-71-speedo-q/page2?t=1745575&page=2))\\ 
    
 +From the early days, different states had different speed limits imposed on drivers across their states. President Richard Nixon agreed to a national speed limit of 55 mph for all states in 1974 to drop the traffic fatality rate. ((https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/the-history-of-speed-limits-in-america/))
 +
 +In 1995, the U.S. Congress handed speed limit laws back over to the individual states and allowed each state to decide its maximum speed to drive. ((https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/the-history-of-speed-limits-in-america/))
 +
 1980-1983 XL, 1981-1982 XLS mechanical speedometer (67020-75D). Has 1 red wire for illumination. \\ 1980-1983 XL, 1981-1982 XLS mechanical speedometer (67020-75D). Has 1 red wire for illumination. \\
 This unit was also a replacement for 1974-1978 XLH, XLCH. \\ This unit was also a replacement for 1974-1978 XLH, XLCH. \\

Trace: • REF: Service Procedures 11D • REF: Body Parts - Sub-30K