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how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2022 9:31 pm
by Trev
I'm sure I've seen this covered few years back but can't for the life of me find it. I use a marker pen to record mileage when I fill the tank on my Classic efi but don't always remember to bring a pen or it gets rubber off so I would like a small manual meter I could attach to the bars - anyone using one they can recommend?
Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2022 10:13 pm
by Wheaters
I fixed a three digit luggage lock on my handlebars using a tie wrap through the hasp. I set the last three digits to match the speedo mileage when I refuel. Obviously it could be set to record the initial mileage at the beginning of any journey.
(I know my bike does 20 miles per litre so with a quick mental subtraction I know roughly how much fuel I’ve used and knowing that the tank holds 14 litres I know when to refuel).
Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:31 pm
by Trev
Thanks, a 'why didn't I think of that idea' - perfect
Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 2:14 pm
by Wheaters
You’re welcome. We could start a fashion.
A few people have seen the one on my bike and asked me “Why is that there”?
Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 7:19 pm
by Duke of Wybourne.
A couple of knitting row counters mounted on a simple bracket, a 5-6 mm screw passed through the centre. Served me well for dacades. Cheap too.

Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 9:05 pm
by Trev
Another nice suggestion, thanks
Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 11:14 pm
by Wheaters
The row counter is a good idea.
I’ve also just found online advertisements for battery powered, digital tally counters, costing about £4.
The digits are advanced by pressing a button and go up to 99,999 so they could mimic the whole odometer reading.
The ones I found have a finger strap which could allow one to be fixed on the handlebars.

Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2022 10:56 pm
by ericpode
One day Wheaters' mileage will co-incide with the combination and it will fall off

Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2022 8:52 am
by MartinB
Good ideas. This used to drive me mad when I had my Bullet Electra and early EFI models. I seem to recall trying to fit something off a cycle with a magnet glued to the rim and something else attached to the spokes and a readout on the bars but it never worked well and I gave up and just wrote the mileage on a piece of paper in my wallet! I'm a bit OCD and like to keep an eye on fuel consumption. I now have an Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 535 with trip meters so it's no longer a problem for me luckily.
Re: how to record mileage without a trip meter
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2022 10:27 am
by Wheaters
ericpode wrote: ↑Wed Mar 09, 2022 10:56 pm
One day Wheaters' mileage will co-incide with the combination and it will fall off
I’ve never hit the jackpot yet….
But even if it came undone, it would still hang on and I would be stopped at the petrol station anyway
As an alternative I bought one of those “tally counters” I found online and it arrived this morning.
I’ve just realised that I’d have to click the button once for every mile ridden, so it’s not such a good idea after all.
Changing digits on the lock only takes a couple of seconds.