Speedometer for a special (on a budget). Ideas?

[Austin Nippy]

Good evening everyone,
Would a Smiths MA Speedometer be suitable? It has the number A - 381,557 on the face and numerous patent numbers around the rim of the backing. I've no idea about these as it's not suitable for the Nippy.
It generally looks OK - Silver Face, Nickel (?) bezel nicely "patinated", good glass and 0 - 60 MPH although it rattles a bit and the drive "spike" in the rear appears quite loose. From other comments on here, it maybe needs the ball bearings replacing but, again, I don't know.
Maybe someone on here can confirm or deny whether this could be the basis of a possible solution to the problem. If it looks like it could help, then I'm happy to pass it on and let someone make better use of it than simply gathering more dust in the garage.
Best wishes,
Nick

[Parazine]

These silver faced (I call 'em "A" type) vintage speedos were calibrated for 3360 TPM and driven (at least on an A7) from the dangly pulley off the prop shaft, so unlikely to provide an answer.

[Dave Wortley]

I went down the mechanical route using a Ford 10 speedo for speedo and tacho. This involved using Meccano gears and making up little gearboxes attached to the back of the speedo and tacho. Meccano is still sold in uk.

[DavidL]

We're tracked down a needle type Ruby speedometer with a steady needle at a sensible price.

Thank you for the advice and guidance. Good to know a special speedo drive cable for a special is easy to get and maybe even possible to adapt. A little gearbox could be home made, and meccano has an big appeal vs getting out the RS catalogue or tracking down whatever gear specialist. "Governor type" speedometers are something I'm now going to find out more about, and if a nice one popped up in a jumble somewhere I'd no longer fear a refurb.

As to the "will a three speed box drive it" maybe it won't, but we'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it....

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On another thread we're pondering "diesel type" tachs (he has a mag engine, mine which he might use first has a coil) and mechanical drives.

Interesting that a speedometer can be turned into a tach (as with so much "when you think about it", of course...)

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Aside from the "will a 3 speed box drive a ruby speedo ok" question I'm also fascinated by the idea of these Indian "Royal Enfield" or repro Smiths units... A friend speaks highly of them as properly made and reliable with "protective chrome", items made to perform a task, vs what he thinks of as "a chinese type of replica" which might have a brilliant shine, that doesn't last, and poor calibration and reliability.