Did all Road Rockets have a tach?

[JDFitz]

I was wondering 'cause the right side gear cover on my '56 engine has a small circular disc covering the hole where the tach drive would go.

[stratcat]

I think it was always an extra cost option. The circular cover is just a blanking plate if the drive was removed.
I doubt it would have been fitted with the blanking plate from the factory, more likely to be a later addition (or removal!)

[JDFitz]

Judging by the knobby back tire this may have been used as an off road machine at one time in its life. I've noticed old motor cross, trials, and enduro bikes usually have most extra stuff removed such as head and tail lights, guages, ect. Other than that, I can't see any good reason for removing the tach. Either way, its no big deal. I was mostly wondering about that little cover.

[snowbeard]

JD, does the tranny have any different markings beside STD?  it might have been a scrambler from the start?  mine was said to have been sold with the tach hole covered? (but I dont' know for sure, as it came with the drive on)