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Message started by DesertRat on 04/25/16 at 13:29:24

Title: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/25/16 at 13:29:24

Anyone know of a MOD to convert speedo to the wheel drive style? Like on some Marauders ...

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by badwolf on 04/25/16 at 14:04:40

I use the front wheel off a early 80's 450 and it could run the speedo drive. It would be hard to rout the cable to the stock speedo unit thou as ours comes in from the back/bottom. Depending on the ''look'' you are going for, you might swap the whole front end off a Marauder. If you ran a 19'' front wheel like mine, you would need to find a speedo geared to match the tire diamater you could live with mounted on the bars or triple clamp.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by verslagen1 on 04/25/16 at 14:45:40

Many of the GS series have front wheel driven speedo's.
The 80's models have a mechanical drive, later they went electronic.
You'll just need to figure out how to drive the speedo.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/25/16 at 15:00:14

thanks ...
looking over detuned's build, he went the Intruder VS800 route ...

all the 450's I've found are MAG wheels and most of the GS are 21" ... I'm looking for a unicorn I guess ... 2.15x19 with front wheel mechanical drive speedo's ... :-/

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Kris01 on 04/25/16 at 19:58:20

I've been considering the GPS driven speedos from Speedhut lately. The up side is I can mount it high where it's visible. Down side is the cost and (maybe) the speed the needle moves.

Hey Dave...! How fast is your speedo to respond to changing speeds? It just seems that it would lag since it's driven by a signal bounced off of a satellite.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by verslagen1 on 04/25/16 at 20:12:12

If you really wanted to find something...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/78-79-SUZUKI-GS-550-GS550E-Gs550-Front-Wheel-Rim-Hub-Spoke-1-85x19-14699-/371292101804?hash=item5672bbdcac:g:zx4AAOSwEeFVFXhX&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/75-Suzuki-T500-T-500-Titan-front-wheel-rim-/401108548252?hash=item5d63eeba9c:g:CXAAAOxyGqZSZn7M&vxp=mtr

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/25/16 at 20:32:53

554651504F4244464D12230 wrote:

BOTH links are for a 1.85x19 wheel, will the hub lace up to my 2.15x19 rim ???

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/25/16 at 20:33:55

or I'll just do this and save me some headaches:

Speedo Cable: tach cable for Suzuki GT750

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by KennyG on 04/25/16 at 20:37:46

What I would like to find is a "Chrome Can" to mount the factory speedometer up on the handle bars where I could see the speedometer without taking my eyes off of the road.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/25/16 at 20:42:31

oh yeah Kenny, me too ... I'm thinking something along the lines of the RE5 "tin can" instrument cluster - on this build

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by KennyG on 04/25/16 at 20:55:57

Rat,

That is really nice but it looks awfully expensive.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/25/16 at 21:08:45

I cannot find one for sale, apparently VERY, VERY rare part. The Tail/Brake light matches, and that too is RARE ...

Suzuki RE5 Wankel rotary engine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ammve9wcIzQ

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ammve9wcIzQ[/media]

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by verslagen1 on 04/25/16 at 21:29:11

this might work but I fear it's a shade too small...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-chrome-3-5-8-speedometer-or-tach-xl-1200-custom-mount-bracket-/262359572848?hash=item3d15d96170:g:YTcAAOSwB4NW00sY&vxp=mtr

the OD of the speedo under the rim is 93mm or 3.67"

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/25/16 at 21:36:10

if/when I get my tig box back, I'd love to fab one up for folks looking to relocate the stock cluster ~ maybe one like this off the HD xl1200

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by KennyG on 04/25/16 at 21:52:49

Verslagen,

The Honda VLX speedometer may be big enough to fit.

Rat,

If get where you can fab something simple that will work you will sell them on here for sure.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by WD on 04/27/16 at 08:54:05

5A7B6D7B6C6A4C7F6A1E0 wrote:

Honda CB series, second generation. XS650 through 850. KZ series.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/27/16 at 12:03:34

thanks WD ... any SUZUKI branded that work?

I'm testing another solution, should have data when the parts arrive and I do some fit-up ...

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by WD on 04/27/16 at 21:06:35

Baby GS twins, maybe, but they will be front drum.

My parts roach has a Suzuki Titan 19" front hub/hoop, and an early CB/CL 450 twin pivot drum backing plate. Actually a better unit than the stock Savage wheel assembly it replaced. Need to swap it onto my 2003 after I replace the 2006 inner tube and early 1990s new old stock tire. Uses Vincent clutch/brake perches and levers, same ones Harley ran through the end of the UL/VL era.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by smokin_blue on 04/28/16 at 14:06:00

79584E584F496F5C493D0 wrote:

all the 450's I've found are MAG wheels and most of the GS are 21" ... I'm looking for a unicorn I guess ... 2.15x19 with front wheel mechanical drive speedo's ... :-/

I am surprised at your statement that most GS' were 21". Most were 19". Now do you want mag or spoke?

If you want mag you have a choice of 1.85 or the 2.15 width. A 1.85 should work just fine. You just might need to you might end up dropping to a 90/90 from a 100/90 tire.
If that works just about every GS mag rim from 1978 through the mid 80's was a 1.85x19

If you want the 2.15 a quick search turned up these options
GS1100G (1982)
GS1100G (1983)
GS750T (1982)
GS750T (1983)
GS850G (1982)
GS850G (1983)

Now if you want to keep the spokes you can use just about any GS550 and larger front wheel. Again you might need to go to a 90/90 tire. if you want the 2.15 then you can take a GS hub and spoke it into your stock rim but you will most likely need new spokes (Buchanan spoke can make them for you).
Or if you want spoked 2.15 complete then you need to look at the VS700 (Intruder) from 1986-1987 or the VS800 from 1998-2005. They are spoked with a 2.15 x19 rim and mechanical drive speedo. You just need to watch which side your brake is on and which side your speedo drive is on so that the direction of the speedo drive spins the speedo the correct direction. If it is wrong you may be able to flip the wheel over and run a drive off another model. Or just take the entire wheel and speedo from that year VS. That would probably be the cleanest as they were triple clamp mounted speedos right up front and center.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by WD on 04/29/16 at 01:34:15

The stone stock 800 Intruder rotting away behind the garage has a 21" front wheel. 1996 issue.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by smokin_blue on 04/30/16 at 15:18:18

That would be correct. they went 19" up to 21" and then back down to 19" that is why the gap in the years that I listed.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/30/16 at 17:40:20

Thanks guys ...

I'm going to run the GT750 tach cable MOD with the S40 front wheel (2.15 x 19) & a GS550 Rear Wheel (2.15 x 18)

I should have the relocation parts by next weekend.

*edit: SPELLING :P

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Kris01 on 04/30/16 at 19:55:34

Rat, please explain.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/30/16 at 20:01:02

which part Kris?

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Kris01 on 04/30/16 at 20:08:39

What's the tach cable mod?

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 04/30/16 at 20:21:47

it's a longer cable that is supposed to work for relocating the speedo -

found one cheap and waiting on a bucket and mount I found to arrive so I can test what others have claimed will work

*without pictures or videos, I suspect they may be pulling my leg ;) ...

but, I'm putting my money where my mouth is and testing this sh!t myself ...

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Kris01 on 04/30/16 at 22:27:52

Gotcha! ;)

Are you going to use the stock speedo but in a different location or something?

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by smokin_blue on 05/01/16 at 10:54:17

Rat, are you converting to a front wheel speedo drive then and not using the stock S40 drive? If so, I think you have the wrong cable. The old GT tach cables work with the stock S40 drive but not with the wheel drives. If you convert to a wheel drive then you need a standard GT or GS speedo cable.

Or another option if you want a nice set up is to drop the $100 on a Vapor digital guage/speedo which also gets you a trip meter and a clock and there is a slick way you can mount it right up by the bars using the stock risers. I did that for my wife and she loves it. It is right up where it is easy to see and she gets the trip meter for gas fills and the clock. (yes it does have a tach too but I have been far from impressed with the tach portion). The speedo is programmable for any size wheel.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/01/16 at 12:04:27

smokin_blue

I'm in the process of building an old school boardtracker.

I'm NOT using the stock gas tank, which presents the problem of relocating the speedo and idiot lights.

I did find a triple-tree mounted bucket with idiot lights, that I'm hoping to stuff the S40 stock speedo into.

*please take heed, I am challenging myself to build this using ONLY Suzuki parts, nothing from other manufacturers nor any aftermarket vendors.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by smokin_blue on 05/01/16 at 15:18:58

Rat,
No problem I understand your wants for Suzuki only build. I can help if you want. My question is the drive end. Are you going to drive that speedo from the S40 motor or from the new from wheel?

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/01/16 at 15:25:01

smokin_blue -

Im driving it from the motor.

Got tired of trying to hunt down a Suzuki front wheel, drive and cable combo that would fit the build ... plus this affords me the use of the S40 front wheel from the donor = more $$$ for other cr@p that I need for this build ...

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by smokin_blue on 05/01/16 at 16:28:22

Great! then your GT tach cable will work great.

Minor error most likely due to a larger OD of the rear wheel/tire but you can calculate how far off it would be.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/01/16 at 18:34:28

if I had the skill set, I would MOD our stock speedo to look like this -

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RMgAAOSwf-VWUkk-/s-l1600.jpg

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/01/16 at 18:36:17

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0GMAAOSwbdpWUjtC/s-l1600.jpg

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Kris01 on 05/01/16 at 20:15:23

I love the tach/speedo combo! ;)

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/01/16 at 22:22:14

4E776C763534050 wrote:

I love the tach/speedo combo! ;)

for $600+ US ??? ;)

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by KennyG on 05/01/16 at 23:10:50

Rat,

My experience with Smiths Speedometers was disappointing.

The Smiths Speedometers only lasted in to the low to mid 30,000 miles.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/02/16 at 05:56:15

hey Kenny,

were they new style gauges? or true vintage speedos?

I was at sites for these gauges, and it seems there's a LOT of repair data, guessing the need a lot ... :o

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by KennyG on 05/02/16 at 06:27:08

Rat,

The first Smiths Speedometer went bad about 1975 and then about every three years I had to replace the speedometer. The best one lasted about 35,000 miles.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Dave on 05/02/16 at 06:29:13

I used a Speedhut Gauge, and went with a GPS unit so that I never needed to worry about gearing or tire size changes. The antenna is small and fits nicely on the top of the Brake Master Cylinder cover.

http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=29y1hrq&s=8#.VydXleRdMQc

You can choose from several colors for the face and numerals, and you can even send them custom artwork if you want. It would be possible to have them build a gauge that has a vintage looking script and needle. The price really isn't bad....considering the electronics have a lifetime warranty. They do run sales occasionally....and you can save quite a bit if you happen to buy when a sale is on. You need to explore their site a bit to understand what is possible to use....the only thing that was a bit of a bother to me, is the backside of the speedometer is not sealed against water, and you either have to fabricate a bucket or a way to seal the wires, and the indicator lights are not bright enough for daytime use on a motorcycle and I had to add other indicator lights for the turn signals and high beam.

http://www.speedhut.com/gauges/Speedometers/GPS-Speedometers/?catid=f232|f8|f37

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/02/16 at 07:09:49

Dave,

that speedo has a tach for the S40? are the wires included for the tach or did you have to rig something?

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Dave on 05/02/16 at 07:13:30

You can order the GPS speedometer in several different MPH ratings, a couple of different sizes, and you can get a tach included if you want one.

The wires to connect the unit you order are all ready to go....however they are made for cars and when used on a motorcycle or boat you do need to take some steps to get the wires sealed up.....or in a housing to protect it from water spray.

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/03/16 at 10:52:31

~~~ UPDATE ~~~

The late model (2000) Suzuki VS1400GLP speedo should work, the S40 and VS1400 share the SAME drive on the speedo (Suzuki part # 34131-19B00), Ceteris paribus (all things being equal) we may have an alternative to the tank mount.

*note - our stock speedo will fit inside the VS1400 housing, but the mounting studs are offset and the trim rings and weather seal are slightly different :(

known VS1400 modifications:

electrical (i.e. splicing in the IDIOT lights)
triple-tree mounting (2 bolts underneath, I am still working on this)

there's a bonus to using the whole VS1400 unit: resettable TRIP METER

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by KennyG on 05/03/16 at 12:42:08

Rat,

You are doing a good job finding what we need.

I am going to wait and do what ever you do to put the speedometer up on the bars so I can see the darned thing.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/03/16 at 13:20:36

thanks Kenny ... I'm a good little guinea rat ... ;)

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by KennyG on 05/03/16 at 13:28:08

Rat,

1 attaboy for you.

Have you priced out doing the conversion with new Suzuki OEM parts?

Do you think it is possible to turn the new speedometer to match the existing speedometer. Back in the 1960's I saw it done on a lathe and on a drill press. Now that we have reversible drills I am thinking that might work. I do no that it would be illegal.

Kenny G 8-)

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/03/16 at 13:34:35

funny, I was just pondering ADVANCING the used speedo I got ...

it's off by 20,000 miles (VS=6000 vs S40=26000)

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Dave on 05/03/16 at 14:08:43

It is illegal to turn alter a speedometer to change the mileage on the vehicle.....I doubt that it is illegal to alter a replacement odometer to show the "actual" mileage on the vehicle.

When I bought my Trailtech Vapor I wanted to have the actual mileage on the bike - so I hooked up the speedometer to a battery, then ran my small grinder with magnets taped onto the wheel to trigger the electronic speed sensor....and I tricked the speedometer into thinking it was going 338 mph! It didn't take long to get the mileage up where I needed it (since then I have found out how to change it by programming the darn thing).

http://i46.tinypic.com/1iilwg.jpg

I am sure you could do the same thing with the mechanical speedometer - but at 60 mph it would take almost 14 days of continuous running to rack up 20,000 additional miles!

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/03/16 at 19:47:16

This mechanical speedo doesn't have a "338" mph on the dial :o

200 hours @ 100mph = :)

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by Kris01 on 05/03/16 at 21:20:47

1C272A3D2C203B3D262E233C4F0 wrote:

...(since then I have found out how to change it by programming the darn thing).

That's hilarious Dave! ;D

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/03/16 at 22:47:21

~~~ UPDATE ~~~

*known VS1400 modifications:

triple-tree mounting ONLY (2 bolts underneath, mounts with the wire hose/cable keeper bolts underneath the upper triple-tree)

*please note - this may not work with buckhorn risers or the Marauder Riser MOD ... the speedo needs room ...

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/17/16 at 07:48:59

~~~UPDATE~~~

old S40 upper tree

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/17/16 at 07:49:29

~~~UPDATE~~~

newer S40 upper tree

Title: Re: Speedo conversion ? Front wheel gear drive?
Post by DesertRat on 05/17/16 at 07:50:01

~~~UPDATE~~~

VS upper tree