Road Hawk Odometer

Uncle Fester · Nov 25, 2018

I purchased a 2005 Road Hawk in Florida and the odometer doesn't work, so the dealer gave me an exemption certificate.

I found out too late that Maryland doesn't give a damn and demands the odometer be fixed before they will allow it to be registered.

Motorcycle shops won't touch it and automobile repair shops who specialize in odometer repair won't touch it either.

Of course, to make it better, Roadsmith doesn't respond to email requests..

I am hoping beyond hope that someone at Roadsmith can help..

Any advice?

It does look good sitting in my garage the past 4 months....

Sidecarbill · Nov 25, 2018

If you only need an odometer get a schwinn bike speedo from walmart. They're cheap less than ten dollars. When I went to inspection in jersey, they asked for the odometer reading told him it was broke. He said won't pass without it. Well I have a bike speedo,he said give me the reading. Told him the reading something like 976 miles. Ok he said thats good.:xzqxz: Now if they require the original to be working thats a whole different issue. Is the title stamped in a way that would make it unregistersble? If it just paper work they gave you don't show it. Just go to a different dmv office and give them the odometer reading.

rhino 2 · Nov 25, 2018

Maybe I'm not understanding.....But if you have the odometer on the trike.... How do the inspectors know its not working... When Jersey had bike inspections all the inspector did was write down the miles displayed they didn't look to see if it the odometer was working..:Shrug:..

Uncle Fester · Nov 26, 2018

When registering for a Maryland Title for an out of state purchase, BMV will ask for the odometer reading.

In addition, the vehicle has to pass a safety inspection and they told me it will not pass the inspection but couldn't tell me what the odometer has to do with safety.

Uncle Fester · Nov 26, 2018

Sidecarbill said:
If you only need an odometer get a schwinn bike speedo from walmart. They're cheap less than ten dollars. When I went to inspection in jersey, they asked for the odometer reading told him it was broke. He said won't pass without it. Well I have a bike speedo,he said give me the reading. Told him the reading something like 976 miles. Ok he said thats good.:xzqxz: Now if they require the original to be working thats a whole different issue. Is the title stamped in a way that would make it unregistersble? If it just paper work they gave you don't show it. Just go to a different dmv office and give them the odometer reading.

The Florida Title states "EXEMPT" and I was given an Exemption Certificate from the State of Florida.

Sidecarbill · Nov 26, 2018

I guess you need to talk to the inspector to see what they require. I.e. Do they require the original to be repaired or can you put a different speedo on it. Did you verify that it doesn't work? There are states that exempt things due to age and just don't require it. Maybe post a picture of it,someone may recognize it and be able supply info on its origin. You could google speedometer repair, someone may come up in your area.

Ozarkryder · Nov 28, 2018

rhino 2 said:
Maybe I'm not understanding.....But if you have the odometer on the trike.... How do the inspectors know its not working... When Jersey had bike inspections all the inspector did was write down the miles displayed they didn't look to see if it the odometer was working..:Shrug:..

I'm guessing that the odometer isn't visible. The Roadhawk has a LCD odometer/tripmeter display on an analog speedometer. Here is a picture of the speedo on the 2007 Roadhawk we had:

The odometer may not be getting power so it's not visible to inspectors. If the speedometer portion works there may by a problem with the wiring up to the unit or something internal to the gauge itself. A VDO speedometer is about $180 new, sometimes a bit less on ebay. Some used ones can be had for much less, with either analog or LCD odometer versions. The analog versions don't need power for the odometer, just for the gauge light. If you order a new one be aware they come in 3 1/8" and 3 3/8" and they look exactly alike.

I don't know how the maryland system works, but in Missouri the title would be marked "Not Actual Mileage" because the former title has an odometer exemption certificate.

Sidecarbill · Nov 28, 2018

Talk about livin in the past, it never occurred to me that it could be electronic. Lol

Roadsmith Trikes · Nov 28, 2018

SidecarBill - sorry to hear of your issue with the odometer on your trike. I recommend you contact the following VDO vendor. They may be able to repair your current speedometer. If not, they can provide a new one. Message me direct if any more questions.

Vehicle Controls

Genoa City, WI

800-457-7167

Sidecarbill · Nov 28, 2018

Roadsmith Trikes said:
SidecarBill - sorry to hear of your issue with the odometer on your trike. I recommend you contact the following VDO vendor. They may be able to repair your current speedometer. If not, they can provide a new one. Message me direct if any more questions.

Vehicle Controls

Genoa City, WI

800-457-7167

Ain't me with the problem its Uncle Fester

Roadsmith Trikes · Nov 28, 2018

Sidecarbill said:
Ain't me with the problem its Uncle Fester

Sorry Sidecar!!

bikerbillone · Dec 27, 2018

Just saw this, no response from Uncle Fester when Road Smith has offered a fix? Thought he was complaining about RS not responding. Something doesn't sound right.....

Uncle Fester · Dec 27, 2018

Just waiting fo warmer weather and blown out knee to heal.

What doesn't sound quite right?

bikerbillone · Dec 28, 2018

Uncle Fester · May 31, 2019

I have finally managed to get the Road Hawk registered in Maryland.

Motorcycle places would not work on the Odometer as the Road Hawk is a car with the VW engine.

Automotive repair places whose Web Sites state they specialize in Odometer repair would not work on the Road Hawk as it is a motorcycle.

I finally managed to get with VDO Gauges on the Contact Us portion of their web page found at:

https://www.vdo-gauges.com/

I explained my issue and they referred me to a Certified VDO Gauge repair center at Lauderdale Speedometer in Ft Lauderdale, Florida at:

https://www.lspeedo.com/

I called and explain the problem and was told to pull the Odometer from the dash cluster and send it to them. They even had a fillable pdf form on their web site to complete to help them make the repair.

After a week they called with a diagnosis and an estimate for the repair cost.

A few days later I received the Odometer and installed it back into the dash cluster. The Odometer displayed the mileage and I was very pleased.

Today. I was able to finally get my Road Hawk registered with the State of Maryland.

Hats off to Lauderdale Speedometer!