Kph - Mph speedo conversion for importing to UK
 

Has anyone imported a bike from outside the UK and had to change the speedo to read Mph rather than Kph?

I have to get my DR650 inspected to get it registered here and have been told that you can't just put stickers on the speedo glass like I did 10 years ago with another bike, they have to be put on the actual dial face and the Kph sign changed to read Mph.

I know you can also get a little gearing device that fits to the cable and converts to Mph but that will mess with the total milage reading and I'd rather not do that if possible.

Is there an easy solution to this or do I need the gearing doo-dah and a new bloody dial made up?? Does anyone do a Kph/Mph replacement dial for DR650s as that might be easiest.

Just a thought
 

When I imported my Mini into France I had to do the same thing the other way. I discovered I could get into the speedo dial, gently lift the needle off (with a fork) and then lift the card out. All I did then was slapped it on a scanner, and then redid it for kph. There's certain speeds that match well (50kph - 30mph, 100kph - 60mph) which help you get the markings in the right place, and with a prtoractor you can work out the rest.

Takes a little time on photoshop, but you do end up with your own unique dials.

I had a campervan given an MOT last year and the speedo is only in KPH, absolutely no problem whatsoever, the rolling road brake tester was calibrated in KPH.

I thought that the EU tachograph laws required only Kms/KPH - for at least 20 years.

MMMmm
 

i registered a french bike in britain 2002/3 and when i took it for mot i fitted one of them things on the speedo cable changing it to mph. the tester said there was no need and i wasted my money! the dvla never looked neither! i took it off after as i spent most of my time in europe and it passed every mot after without it.(in different stations). so basically imo check with your mot station first before spending your money.driving with a kph speedo in britain is easy as alex explains.
hope this helps

Unfortunatelly its not an MOT, its a SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) inspection which is a lot more thorough. I found out I can get a replacement DR speedo unit from Suzuki for a mere £160 but am currently looking into a company that copies your speedo dial but adds Mph etc and whatever else you want to the same standard as the original and fits it etc for about £30-40 which would be better.

Redial UK - Suppliers of replacement speedometer faces and digital conversions, kplh to mph

You might want to check with the DVLA if they actually practically enforce a MPH speedo requirement, even for SVA approval.

I imported an Italian xt600 three months ago with a KPH speedo. As I didnt have the original Italian paperwork, it was inspected by the DVLA in Wimbledon, where they noted the KPH speedo and indicated it was fine.

cheers

That would be nice but speedos are mentioned here plus the guy I spoke to who is doing the test was quite specific about it. They wouldn't accept stickers on the speedo glass so doubt they will ignore a speedo entirely in Kph.


What is Tested?

Most of the items inspected in the MSVA scheme are those that are tested when manufacturers apply for type-approval of mass-produced vehicles.

Statutory markings
Maximum design speed and power
Masses and dimensions
Registration plate space
Unauthorised use
Handholds / footrests (two wheeled vehicles only)
Stands (two wheeled vehicles only
Speedometer
Tyres / wheels
Emissions
Noise and exhausts
Mirrors
Design and construction
Exterior projections
Lighting and signalling
Headlamp pattern and aim
Brakes
Side cars
Audible warning
Wipers and washers (bodied vehicles only)
Glazing
Seat belts and anchorages (bodied vehicles only)
Radio suppression
Defrost and Demist (bodied vehicles only)