To Zero or Not To Zero

[hudtm60]

Got these back today (after 8 months!) and my request to zero the odometer was not met. The bike has been completely restored (new crank, rebore, refurbished tranny, new paint, rebuilt original shock, every fastener re-plated, new fork tubes, frame checked for straightness, that kind of restoration) so I think it warrants a zero-ing out of the speedo but 1) I don’t dare send it back to him only to see it missing for another long time and 2) it probably really doesn’t matter as truly it’s still an old bike, it’s not REALLY a zero mile machine just out of the factory.

Is there a rule of thumb as to whether to zero or not?

[midlifecrisisrd]

Since its all the original standard bike I'd leave it as is to show the history/life of the bike

I know what you mean about being all new but in this case I think it is important to show the original low mileage

I only usually zero on a build if its a totally all new hybrid build as all the history is gone and irrelevant. It'd not the same bike if you know what I mean

If you really want to zero it then it's a very easy DIY job but there is always a risk

Steve

[hudtm60]

Thanks Steve. I'm happy with that line of thinking. It's true. It's still the same bike. If for example it was Yamarks 700 or some of the more courageous hybrids on here then it's different and the machine would be starting a new life so to speak, but not in this case. The original mileage will remain untouched.

Always appreciate the feedback.

Chris

[dusty350]

I agree with Steve. I just rebuilt my Lc clocks, and used an Mph speedo from a different bike. I could have zeroed the speedo but chose not too - I wanted the mileage of the bike to show. In fact, the speedo now shows a couple of thousand more than the original Kmh speedo, once converted from Kmh to miles covered, but I'm not bothered by that. The bike will look like new, but the speedo will prove otherwise, and I like that !
But your bike, your choice. If you are gonna do it, now's the time

[donkeychomp]

Conversely I had an option with my clocks and went for a zeroed speedo. But at that time my engine was going to be completely rebuilt...

Alex

[JonW]

Ive done both and these days dont worry about zero'ing. I used to think 'whole rebuild from the ground up = zero speedo, especially if lots of new or parts from another bike' but these days I just whack a speedo in after a clean up and dont worry so much about it, its just a measuring device and often its from some other bike lol