SuzukiSavage.com - Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach

Blinky-FSO

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Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach
02/10/13 at 12:30:46

First, thanks to ToesNose for a good tutorial. I followed in his tracks except for the use of black faced gauges and the method to cover up the old speedometer. As a note, the backlights on the new speedometer and tachometer are very different shades of white and the mismatch will be a little annoying at night.

I found a NOS engine side cover on e-bay for a few bucks that is almost the same diameter as the old speedometer face (8cm). It came with 3M self adhesive backing. I left the old speedometer in place and just installed it over the top. Very simple and easy and it does not look too bad. For what it is worth.
Good hunting

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-suzuki-gs550-gs650-gs-650-550-katana-ENGINE-EMBLE...

Update

Just wanted to post the completed speedometer treatment. Again, I installed ToesNose speedometer and tachometer but decided to take another, easier and cheaper path to cover up the original speedometer. I reviewed the engine side cover in the original post that took care of the speedometer. I also wanted to cover up the turn signal and high beam indicators. I ended up ordering a stainless steel name tag from a plaque company over the internet. I sent them the link to Suzuki's ad planner and they were able to capture the S40 font used by Suzuki. The tag is 2.25" by .75" and backed with 3M double sided tape. The S40 tag was $20, the engine side cover $18, for a total of $38. For what it is worth.
Good hunting
Starting Point

With Engine Side Cover

With S40 Tag

Completed

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« Last Edit: 02/24/13 at 10:16:25 by Blinky-FSO »

2007 S40 (Sold)
2007 C50 (Sold)
1992 Honda GL1500
2014 Honda CTX700N

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SavageCat Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 96 Central VA	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #1 - 02/11/13 at 08:30:06 Looks good. Nice job!
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Bubba1 Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 84	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #2 - 02/11/13 at 13:05:13 You made it easy an looks really good too ! Nice job
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28660 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #3 - 02/11/13 at 21:59:38 Dude!... that is one cool fix!... ...
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Blinky-FSO Serious Thumper Offline Three Eyes Are Better Than Two Posts: 528 Kentucky Gender:	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #4 - 02/24/13 at 10:19:18 Bump
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mpescatori

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Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach
Reply #5 - 02/25/13 at 02:54:12

Hello Blinky, nice job !

One question, if I may :

Have you noticed any difference in the reading of the new Vs. the old speedo ? In other words, when the new, handlebar mounted speedo reads... 60mph, is it really 60mph?

I bought exactly the same speedo (in Km/h, but it's exactly the same instrument) and did a few minor mods to the final drive:
I fitted a 140/90x15 rear tire AND did the chain conversion, with a final drive ratio which is now 2.88:1 Vs. the old 2.965:1 of the belt drive, so overall final drive is a full 4%+3% = 7% taller gearing...
...not much in terms of overall speed, accelleration or fuel economy, but at least the OEM speedo is now true !

So... issues ? is 60mph really 60mph, or is it closer to 47 ? 88 ? Just asking...

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Maurizio Pescatori, Esq.
Gentleman Rider

Mikuni BST40, K&N filter, Stage2 cam, Verslagen tensioner, Sportster muff, 120 proof moonshine, Pirelli MT 66 tourers... and a chain conversion too !

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Blinky-FSO

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Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach
Reply #6 - 02/25/13 at 05:45:23

mpescatori wrote on 02/25/13 at 02:54:12:

One question, if I may :
So... issues ? is 60mph really 60mph, or is it closer to 47 ? 88 ? Just asking...

In ToesNose original post, he found the indicated MPH was accurate. I believe he has the stock rear tire. I fitted a Michelin Commander II 140/90/15 just a few weeks ago so have a slightly larger tire. I stuck my Garmin GPS on the bike and tried to hold steady for about 2 miles on a fairly flat road. The new speedometer read 58 when the Garmin indicated 60. Close enough for me and, without doing the math for the larger tire, accurate.

Good hunting

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2007 S40 (Sold)
2007 C50 (Sold)
1992 Honda GL1500
2014 Honda CTX700N

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mpescatori Serious Thumper Offline Romanum Thumperium Cavalco, yeaaah !!! Posts: 3547 Rome, Italy Gender:	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #7 - 02/25/13 at 07:37:50 EXCELLENT !!! PS Speedo cable ? I read a long time ago you can use an old style GS 550 tacho cable, what did you use ? Thanks again !
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Blinky-FSO

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Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach
Reply #8 - 02/25/13 at 07:44:48

mpescatori wrote on 02/25/13 at 07:37:50:

EXCELLENT !!! Cool

PS Speedo cable ? I read a long time ago you can use an old style GS 550 tacho cable, what did you use ?

Thanks again !

This is what I ordered from Pyramid Cables USA. It actually shipped from New Zealand but got here in 8 days.

Suzuki GT550 A 1976 Tachometer Cable for $19.99 each

Good hunting

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2007 S40 (Sold)
2007 C50 (Sold)
1992 Honda GL1500
2014 Honda CTX700N

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ToesNose Serious Thumper Offline Pardon me, do you have Hot Sauce? Posts: 1993 Mooresville, NC Gender:	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #9 - 03/12/13 at 04:52:27 Blinky that looks slick! Great job, sorry I haven't been on in a while and I'm glad I trolled back through posts to see if I missed anything cool As for the speedo I found that it is actually more acurate then the stock speedo when running the stock size tires
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wambr Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 610 Russia, Samara Gender:	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #10 - 03/12/13 at 11:04:57 cool looks! very cool, I like it!!! but what made blind, which, instead of speedo?
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Blinky-FSO Serious Thumper Offline Three Eyes Are Better Than Two Posts: 528 Kentucky Gender:	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #11 - 03/12/13 at 12:59:00 wambr, I think you are asking what I placed over the top of the speedometer. It is a flat plastic engine side cover from another Suzuki motorcycle. It has tape on the back and I left the old speedometer where it was and placed this on top. Hope this answers your question. Good hunting
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jcstokes Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com is very useful Posts: 2119 Mauku New Zealand Gender:	Re: Variation: ToesNose Speedo and Tach Reply #12 - 03/12/13 at 20:41:55 Very cunning Blinky
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