Stop me from doing something stupid

[LowRyter]

I sent my speedometer off for repair, got it back and am about to reinstall it on my V11 Sport. When I took the speedo off, the trip odo stem was broken.  I am about install it and I notice that the stem is completely obstructed by the cover.  That means once I install the stem that I won't be able to take the speedometer out to service it or replace the light bulb.
 
Am I getting this right?  I am tempted to cut a notch into the cover so that I can slip it off so it won't be encumbered by the odo stem.   
 
Here're some photos from my EV, same cover except it's chrome.





So should I cut a notch in the cover or there another way to service the speedo if needed?

[Kiwi_Roy]

It's threaded on, a left hand thread I think.

MG Cycle Part No 02762800 $12.01 under Console
http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=276&products_id=86

[LowRyter]

It's threaded on, a left hand thread I think.

MG Cycle Part No 02762800 $12.01 under Console
http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=276&products_id=86

yes it is. I haven't screwed it in yet.  Since it's a reverse screw, once it's on, it won't come off.

Now my question is whether I should make a notch in the cover if I ever want to get the speedometer out again?

[Wayne Orwig]

I've never noticed one like that.
Most that I am familiar with have a notch in the chrome cover, AND a rubber gasket that fills the notch.

[LowRyter]

Neither my EV nor my Sport has a notch in the cover. 

It would be easy to cut a notch in it now why it's out.  Right now I am awaiting delivery for  a new light socket that I damaged when I removed the speedo.

[balvenie]

Most that I am familiar with have a notch in the chrome cover, AND a rubber gasket that fills the notch.

That describes the cover on my '04 Cali very accurately but its tripmeter knob fits on to a shaft with a flat machined into it. A right hand thread screw with a miniature phillips head holds it to the shaft.

[fotoguzzi]

.  Since it's a reverse screw, once it's on, it won't come off.

why not? you just turn it CCW to remove.

[LowRyter]

why not? you just turn it CCW to remove.

It mounts to a ratchet.  Otherwise you'd pull it off anytime you twisted it CW. 

[acogoff]

     Never heard of a one way thread, if it screws on counterclockwise it will screw off clockwise, no?

[fotoguzzi]

     Never heard of a one way thread, if it screws on counterclockwise it will screw off clockwise, no?

I never had any trouble unscrewing them on a few different Guzzi's.. you just have to snap turn it quick to get started.

[LowRyter]

     Never heard of a one way thread, if it screws on counterclockwise it will screw off clockwise, no?

You might try it.  When you turn your tripmeter CCW to reset it.  When you turn it CW it just turns. 

[LowRyter]

I never had any trouble unscrewing them on a few different Guzzi's.. you just have to snap turn it quick to get started.

OK.  Maybe that's how it broke in the first place. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

OK.  Maybe that's how it broke in the first place.

Since it's a reverse screw, once it's on, it won't come off.

C'mon, John.. this isn't rocket science. It's just a simple left hand thread. Lefty tighteny Righty looseny. 
BTW, if the knob is on the right side of the speedo, it'll be a right hand thread.

[Kiwi_Roy]

My EV one just unscrews CW, Someone pointed out once that the knobs you can get from a lighting shop work, I haven't tried one but they turn CCW also.

[LowRyter]

No, the knob is solid on the stem.  It's the stem that ratchets CW.   Perhaps if you push it while you try to loosen it CW.

[LowRyter]

C'mon, John.. this isn't rocket science. It's just a simple left hand thread. Lefty tighteny Righty looseny. 
BTW, if the knob is on the right side of the speedo, it'll be a right hand thread.

if that were the case everyone would unscrew the things every time they turned it backwards.  How many times have you unscrewed one?

and this was the note I got back from the repairer when I asked him not to install the stem:
 
"Hi, the Reset Knob is a LEFT HAND thread.  After it is screwed in it will NOT unscrew,  If any questions, please call.  Thanks, Joel"

[fotoguzzi]

why not? you just turn it CCW to remove.

oops I mean clockwise, duh

[LowRyter]

oops I mean clockwise, duh

but the stem is like a ratchet, so it won't come off when you screw it backwards (CW).  Try it with your bike and see if you can unscrew the peg. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

but the stem is like a ratchet, so it won't come off when you screw it backwards (CW).  Try it with your bike and see if you can unscrew the peg.

OK, I just went down to the garage, I have the same as your picture, it screwed straight off when turned CW, back on with CCW

Case closed 

[LowRyter]

 thanks Roy. 

appreciate all help.  I'll make sure and call the guy that fixed it and sent me the note. 

[LowRyter]

Just to kill this topic.  I talked to Joel, the repair source.

He doesn't recommend relying on having to unscrew the trip odo stem.  He tells me it's pretty flimsy.  Which explains his note.   I see now that the stem doesn't have a ratchet release, you only unscrew it a little bit if you turn CW.  And of course tighten it CCW when you reset it.

OK my bad.

Anyway, the guy fixed it and sent it back a week later.  His cost was slightly less than anyone else I could find.  I'll install next week when I get the light socket from Harpers and let you all know how it works.  He fixes lots of Veglias. 

Thanks Roy for getting my mind straight. 

[Penderic]

Glad it turned out! I was getting disorientated!

Port, starboard, etc .... your other left, this road looks familiar, oops - so that's where reverse is, .....