I installed a rev counter / rpm meter on my Royal Enfield

While casually looking around, I found a few posts on the Royal Enfield Owners Forum by a user who makes tachometer kits for almost all the modern Royal Enfield motorcycles.

BHPian Viju recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

The Bullet as well as the Classic Reborn come with this neat looking badge, which can be replaced with a Tripper navigation display. I was not keen on adding a Tripper - as I am comfortable using Apple / Google Maps, and also did not want to add yet another digital display to the retro-themed Bullet.

I was looking around for an analogue meter to replace the badge with - even an ammeter as in the older generation Bullets. I had in fact requested Hitchcocks to make a kit, which they should be releasing soon. But it would have been a bit pointless, to be honest. Hitchcocks do sell a ready-to-install Daytona Velona tachometer kit for the Bullet and Classic Reborn. But in my eyes, it is a half-hearted job from Hitchcocks - with needle and fonts completely mismatched to the original speedo on the bike, a small digital display and even a shift light - none of which suited the Bullet in my view.

While casually looking around, I came up on a few posts on the Royal Enfield Owners Forum by a user named 'nissbird' who makes tachometer kits for almost all the modern Royal Enfields. Although I am not a member of the forum, I was able to find his contact details and ordered a kit for my Bullet. He is Mr. Philip Kench from the UK, and I am sharing his email address here with his permission, in case anyone is interested in purchasing a rev counter kit from him. It is pkench16@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: I have no association with him other than this one purchase that I made, and the kit cost me GBP 155 including shipping to Japan.

I have no idea which vendor he sources the basic tachometer itself from, but he designs and builds the housings, bezels, wiring and connectors all by himself. He did share a few of his CAD designs for the different RE models upon my request. He takes care to use matching needles, fonts, bezels and even backlighting. The bezel on my tacho is made from stainless steel, and it is neatly polished.

He also provides a 6-month return warranty, but I do hope it lasts much longer than that.

Neat packaging

Contents

The kit consisted of the actual tachometer, torx driver to remove the factory-fitted badge, USB drive with instructions and wiring diagram and a couple of plug-and-play wiring harnesses.

A closer look

Installation - Part 1 / 2

Caution: As always, before doing any electrical work on your bike, disconnect the negative terminal (normally black) of the battery.

Disconnect battery negative (inside the RHS 'tool box' on the Bullet / Classic)

The plug and play harness to pick up the signals from the ignition coil

Remove the seat (#6 allen key bolts x 4)

The fuel tank is fixed using just one bolt and nut (M10 / M8)

Remove the bolt and nut carefully

Cover the front portion of the tank with fluffy clothes to avoid scratches

Lift the backside of the tank gently and prop it up using a suitable object

Tank propped up to gain access

The white coupler is the one going to the ignition coil

If you are dexterous, use your fingers. But if you are like me, use a small screwdriver to gently disconnect the coupler.

After adding the new harness, bring the power line (green colour wire with the bullet connector) towards the headlight nacelle

Tie up the wiring neatly using the provided cable tie and the fuel tank and seat can be refitted.

Continue reading about Viju's DIY for BHPian comments, insights and more information.