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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
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Message started by EssForty on 09/13/08 at 11:28:08

Title: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/13/08 at 11:28:08

Just thought I'd share my latest project. I cobbled together a number of ideas into an instrument panel that gives me plenty of information without having to take my eyes of the road. Here's the laundry list of everything I've got jammed into a 7x5x3 enclosure:

-Digital Speedometer & Trip Odometer (Sigma 1106 Mod )
-Digital Tach & Engine Hour meter (ENM mod)
-Voltage Gauge (From my old boat)
-Oil Pressure Gage (0-40 Psi also from old boat)
-Idiot Lights for turn signal
-Power Accessory Socket for GPS
-Motion sensor/anti-theft device (Not detailed for obvious reasons)

Here's a picture of the current setup. I drove around with it today and everything checks out fine. Just have a few final tweaks to square up the gauges, make sure the oil lines do not leak, etc. I may add another light for the neutral indicator. I'm also thinking of putting a Suzuki logo in the center , something like the little one on the triple tree.

Anyhow, just thought I'd post this in case anyone finds it interesting. I like knowing my battery is charging, oil pressure is normal, my speed is on target and that I'm not driving down the road with my turn signal flashing for a few miles.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2NU0p82vl5Y/SMv_4QoZztI/AAAAAAAAACo/uMWyhlDd8rc/s320/P9130035.jpg

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/13/08 at 13:06:47

What? No fuel gauge?

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by forrest on 09/13/08 at 14:17:15

What does it look like from the front?

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by Tincanman on 09/13/08 at 14:52:07

These look much better!!!

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=599/category_id=366/home_id=60/mode=prod/prd599.htm

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/13/08 at 15:40:45

I sure would hope so for $350! ;) Looks like a nice plug and play solution, however I get a kick out of converting a pile of spare parts into something useful, even if it looks like Frankenstein :)

I saw the Dakota dash unit, but it does not provide a tach, the oil indicator is only an idiot light for low pressure, no avg speed/max speed indicator, no voltage, just a check engine light. And the power accessory socket lets me charge my cell phone or gps while I drive,

Being the frugal type, I laid out $28 for the Sigma, $25 for the Tach, $6 for the Radio shack enclosure, about $18 for the metric thread adapter, another $7 for the power accessory socket and $3 for the turn signal lights. By reusing some gauges from my old boat I kept the parts cost below $100.

Anyway, it sure suits my purposes. As I use it more I'll probably think of other things I can make it do. I always find it more satisfying to do it myself, even if I spend more money when I include my own labor.

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/13/08 at 15:51:24

6755425553516B665B56340 wrote:

What? No fuel gauge?

Actually, I was looking at recycling an old marine fuel tank sending unit I have, but it would not work due to the dimensions. I have not given up on the idea, but with the trip odometer I'm good for now.

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/13/08 at 15:57:00

4D4459594E585F2B0 wrote:

What does it look like from the front?

It's fully enclosed and the wiring harness enters from the bottom. along with the oil line. It is protected by my windshield and entire enclosure will be sealed against water intrusion.

Here's the front view.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2NU0p82vl5Y/SMxD7clguvI/AAAAAAAAACw/0UJ0U0cXPVE/s320/P9130033.jpg

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by Eddy Thomas on 09/13/08 at 16:58:24

Looks good to me....................

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by youzguyz on 09/13/08 at 17:05:52

Very interesting, and impressive creativity, but I'll stick with my Vapor (http://trailtech.net/motorcycle_vapor_kits.html)
Has many of the things you have, lacks some, has some others.

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/13/08 at 18:06:22

I saw that Vapor one too. Much better price than the Dakota Digital and seems to integrate things in a nice coherent design package. I think it would be the best overall solution for people looking for a tach/speedo combo plus the other features it provides.

My needs sorta grew as I read more of the clever ideas on this forum. I did the Sigma cycle computer mod, added the ENM tach, and then found instructions for adding an oil gauge. I also read about people running their batteries down and thought that I should redeploy my voltage gauge so I can see when it is charging. (There are some small LED based voltage gauges but they wanted about $35 for one, and I still thought free was a better price ). I saw another thread about LED idiot lights. Then I thought I would add a power accessory socket and figure out a way to build in some security features. Without a large enclosure my handlebars were going to get pretty busy real fast.

Fortunately, I stopped before adding a backup camera, DVD player, beer fridge and XM radio. :D

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by flcruzr on 09/13/08 at 18:17:12

Ess: thanks for sharing your mod! Very cool idea and very creative, I would like to try something with a chrome or aluminum look. Hmmm, there's an idea bruing. :-?

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 04:47:53

Flcruzer:

I actually made my first prototype using a smaller aluminum enclosure. I was able to put the Speedo, Tach, idiot lights and Power accessory socket into a 3x5 box. When I decided to add the oil & voltage gauges I had to supersize my enclosure.

The only downside to the aluminum box was reflected glare when riding with the sun high in the sky and behind me. Chrome would be like holding up a mirror. The flat black ABS works best.

Here's a pic of the original prototype in aluminum

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2NU0p82vl5Y/SMETDVJe91I/AAAAAAAAACA/FRQ0n2M3Hm0/s320/Suzuki+005.JPG

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 04:54:15

Here's a pic with the original prototype and my GPS unit.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2NU0p82vl5Y/SLqqOtU_gsI/AAAAAAAAAAM/j0fysKwGlCY/s320/digidash01.jpg

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by forrest on 09/14/08 at 05:36:03

EssForty, don't take me wrong on this (I believe a biker should be able to do what the wants to his bike). But I do find it ironic your are doing this but your quote under your avatar is "KISS Keep it Savage Simple. ;)

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by doc5446 on 09/14/08 at 06:26:08

4F465B5B4C5A5D290 wrote:

I was thinking exactly the same thing...

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by Starlifter on 09/14/08 at 08:13:34

A digital compass would be nice in that center spot.

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 09:00:33

A digital compass is an interesting idea. Didn't think of that because I have a GPS unit, but it would make sense and be easy to add.

I had another crazy idea today. As I was working out I thought it would be cool to have a heart rate monitor readout like on my Elliptical. Sort of the "Bwuhahhhahhah" meter. I think that some of the cycle computers have that capability.

I could see it like this :

RPM check: 5200 (OK)
Speedo: 91.3 mph (OK)
Oil Pressure: 12 psi (OK)
Voltage: 13.4 (Ok)
Bwuhaha: 143 beats per minute (Perfect!) 8-)

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 09:51:44

373E2323342225510 wrote:

That's a fair comment. :)

I'm not offended and there *is* an ironic twist depending on how you read the tagline. My message isn't "Keep your Savage Simple", which might suggest keeping it bone stock. By saying "Keep it Savage Simple" I'm complimenting the simple design of our bike, versus 6 cylinder Gold Wings with complex mechanical and electrical systems, etc.

There's simple and simplistic, the latter being a solution that does not meet all of the requirements for the user. I love the bike, but the stock instrumentation was simplistic and poorly positioned to suit this user. I probably do not need the tach, but it was really handy during the breakin period. Now that I have the oil pressure & voltage readouts I would not give them up. It's a real piece of mind feature that I am glad I added.

Anyway, I appreciate the comment and I can see your point. Now I have to go out and finish the installation of the shaft drive and Nitrous Oxide system on my Savage to finalize the minor tweaks ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by forrest on 09/14/08 at 10:17:09

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 10:27:53

Was that for the NOx comment or my modified slogan....Keep it "sorta" simple? :)

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by forrest on 09/14/08 at 10:45:49

All of the above...and not for taking it seriously. I'm just suprised this thread hasn't been hijacked into another political thread.

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by wrenchbender on 09/14/08 at 10:53:42

How come there isn't an ashtray, toll change dispenser, and cup holder intergrated into it?

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 11:38:26

636A7777607671050 wrote:

All of the above...and not for taking it seriously. I'm just suprised this thread hasn't been hijacked into another political thread.

Actually, I do honestly appreciate the feedback and take it seriously. I just also have a good sense of humor and have no problem laughing at myself.

Perhaps I can help the political threadjackers by adding that my original plan was to keep it savage simple, but somehow I found myself hoping for change. Real, hopeful change, the sort of change that makes the bike run better in the future than it ran in the past. I was raised in a single cylinder parent family, a mixture of Norton and Triumph parts. It wasn't easy.

I voted for the oil pressure gauge because I was afraid of the "surge" of "big oil" , Haliburton oil. Exxon Valdez oil. First I voted against the oil gauge. Then for it. I wanted to drill a hole in the crankcase to install my oil sender, but I did not think I could drill my way to more oil in less than 7 years (my bits are pretty dull). Then again, doing nothing was not a good plan either.

I started thinking the bike was my property and I should be able to do what I want with it. But then again, what about the common good I thought? Why should I have two speedometers when some poor guy only has one? Or maybe even no speedometer. A speedometer should be a right, not a privilege. Why is it that the government can hand out speeding tickets but not provide the poor with speedometers so they can avoid tickets? It seems that the government is getting pretty selective about what sort of needs it will fulfill by wealth redistribution.

OK.. that should give the search engine enough to work with for now. :)

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 11:44:08

7D697E7E77747A7F7E691B0 wrote:

How come there isn't an ashtray, toll change dispenser, and cup holder intergrated into it?

The ashtray is just below the petcock where it belongs. ;D The beer can holders are on my helmet, port & starboard for balance. I do have an electronic toll paying gizmo that I can sit on top the box when I drive to Orlando where there are tolls everywhere, so no change is needed.

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by thumperclone on 09/14/08 at 11:46:33

why gps i melborne fl?? cant go too far east lilfarther west and south long way north till you hit georgia (sure wouldnt want to get lost there)

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 12:21:53

You nailed it. My fear is heading north into Georgia when all the sudden I make a wrong turn and hear that infernal banjo music and then someone is telling me I have "real purdy lips". soooooooeeeeeee....

Reminds me of that parody song, put to the music of Tom Petty's "The Waiting is the Hardest Part" that goes :

"Ned Beatty...had the hardest part....Ned Beatty... had the haaaardeeest part !"

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by forrest on 09/14/08 at 14:30:23

Ess, can I call you Ess?, I have to agree with your question about why the would the government allow unequal distribution of speedometers. But not just our governement, but the Japanese and Suzuki.

In fact, I believe we should petition Palin (if she becomes VP) to impress the need to attack Japan. After all, they did attack and occupy Alaska during WW2; see the general election thread. And, wasn't it the Japanese who designed the very bike we ride without all of the same features other bikes have?

How can we stand by and allow this transgression by the Japanese to go unpunished. I want either war with Japan or the Japanese to pay me compensantion.

Title: Re: Latest Mod: Instrument Panel for S40
Post by EssForty on 09/14/08 at 14:58:57

Adjusting tin foil hat......picking up signals....

By any chance, have you ever called in to Coast to Coast AM with George Noory on talk radio? ;D