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Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => FZS600 Fazer => Topic started by: phil mcglassup on 11 August 2016, 01:28:21 pm

Title: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: phil mcglassup on 11 August 2016, 01:28:21 pm
I know there are various gear position indicators available on the market but I am on a very tight budget and I'm fed up of trying to find seventh gear.

So, is it possible to make a simple DIY  top gear indicator ? Something that just produces +12v in top gear , i.e.  from an adapted neutral switch, to illuminate a bulb on the dash ? I remember seeing a fully operational homemade gear position indicator done a long while ago on a website which I can no longer find, but that involved complicated electronics  :eek

Has anyone ever done anything like this ?
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: misterjayb1 on 11 August 2016, 02:33:58 pm
My answer would be no, unless you wanted to use complicated electronics :) ..  Strangely I never look for a seventh gear when using the engine to its capabilities. Seems Im quite happy with just 5 in that mode..  :lol
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: darrsi on 11 August 2016, 04:34:25 pm
A word of advice, stop looking for seventh gear, it simply ain't there!
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: phil mcglassup on 11 August 2016, 05:49:14 pm
 :D

Thing is I'm used to riding lower revving bikes so it's natural to want another gear  !!
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: Bretty on 11 August 2016, 06:50:03 pm
Something like this?
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: darrsi on 11 August 2016, 07:12:19 pm
:D

Thing is I'm used to riding lower revving bikes so it's natural to want another gear  !!


I know what you mean, i rode a 600 twin for about 10 years before this one, so the Fazer does appear rather highly strung most of the time.
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: misterjayb1 on 11 August 2016, 10:05:20 pm
:D

Thing is I'm used to riding lower revving bikes so it's natural to want another gear  !!


I know what you mean, i rode a 600 twin for about 10 years before this one, so the Fazer does appear rather highly strung most of the time.


Unlearning the short shifting I'd got used to on my Ducati Monster is proving difficult at times..  :rolleyes
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: phil mcglassup on 11 August 2016, 10:33:25 pm
I just thought there might be an easy modification to add another terminal, in the correct position, to the neutral light switch and use that to illuminate a bulb on the dash. When the bulb is lit, the bike is in top gear. Is this possible ?
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: celticdog on 12 August 2016, 01:13:38 am
A word of advice, stop looking for seventh gear, it simply ain't there!

Indeed. Take a look at your revs, you'll find that you'll start to match the gear to the speed as you get to know the bike  :)
if i'm doing 60 mph i know i'm in top gear if the rev counter's a 5000 rpm. :rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: darrsi on 12 August 2016, 05:36:06 am
It's also why having overly loud end cans can be tiresome if you do longer runs, because the noise drives you insane after a while.
Good fun if you're just zipping about in the suburbs, but on a motorway run it does get monotonous especially because of the higher revs.
You can change the sprocket teeth size to bring down the revs a bit if you find yourself having to use 6th gear for longer periods of time.
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: characticus on 12 August 2016, 12:19:32 pm
I just thought there might be an easy modification to add another terminal, in the correct position, to the neutral light switch and use that to illuminate a bulb on the dash. When the bulb is lit, the bike is in top gear. Is this possible ?

No its not possible to do that without some electronics to detemine if you're in top gear - be much easier just to fit a gear indicator.
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: joebloggs on 12 August 2016, 01:10:46 pm
Providing you're not suffering terminal clutch slip just count your way through the gears to make sure you're in sixth then remember revs at your normal cruising speed.
Simples
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: YamFazFan on 13 August 2016, 03:16:43 pm
My (completely standard) Foxeye reads 5650 RPM at 70 MPH in top gear.
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: celticdog on 17 August 2016, 03:15:41 pm
Look at this one!


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Digital-Gear-Indicator-Motorcycle/dp/B00EM8AH1I/ref=sr_1_65?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1471443007&sr=1-65&keywords=motorcycle+accessories (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Digital-Gear-Indicator-Motorcycle/dp/B00EM8AH1I/ref=sr_1_65?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1471443007&sr=1-65&keywords=motorcycle+accessories)



Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: mr self destruct on 17 August 2016, 03:34:07 pm
My (completely standard) Foxeye reads 5650 RPM at 70 MPH in top gear.


On my stock bike, in 4th the speed matches the revs, i.e. 40mph = 4000rpm so that could give a good indication too.
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: schlumpf on 18 August 2016, 09:42:30 pm
Look at this one!
[url]https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Digital-Gear-Indicator-Motorcycle/dp/B00EM8AH1I/ref=sr_1_65?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1471443007&sr=1-65&keywords=motorcycle+accessories[/url] ([url]https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Digital-Gear-Indicator-Motorcycle/dp/B00EM8AH1I/ref=sr_1_65?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1471443007&sr=1-65&keywords=motorcycle+accessories[/url])

This appears to be a simple display w/o any brain. Doesn't help here.

In my view there are 3 ways to get the gear informations:
- Take one of those reed contact based devices from china. Very cheap (~15EUR?). Unfortunately need some ugly installation around the gear lever and might be tricky to adjust reliably.
- Those "Acumen type" indicators tap the electronic's signals and calculate the gear. No mechanics, just wiring. Cheap clones start at ebay in the range of ~50EUR.
- A few people started designing their own gear indicator. Good choice if you are not afraid of soldering.
http://www.alpentourer.de/shop/ganganzeige/ganganzeige.html (http://www.alpentourer.de/shop/ganganzeige/ganganzeige.html)
http://fireblade_chris.hp.altmuehlnet.de/Ganganzeige_SC57.htm (http://fireblade_chris.hp.altmuehlnet.de/Ganganzeige_SC57.htm)
http://www.jn-elektronik.de/?page_id=25 (http://www.jn-elektronik.de/?page_id=25)
http://cvieth.bplaced.net/ganganzeige_mini.html (http://cvieth.bplaced.net/ganganzeige_mini.html)

As you are very sensitive on price my suggestion would be the first option, reed contact type.
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: Robgosty on 19 August 2016, 05:18:52 pm
I got one of these, does the job really well and costs buttons compared to others  :D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121325993344?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121325993344?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: Val on 20 August 2016, 12:55:06 am
I got one of these, does the job really well and costs buttons compared to others  :D
[url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121325993344?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT[/url] ([url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121325993344?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT[/url])


Thanks for that I bought one for £18 what could go wrong  :lol

I really like the clarifications there:

Quote
If your motorcycle is a front-wheel drive, you need professional maintenance staff installed


 :rollin :rollin :rollin

Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: darrsi on 20 August 2016, 07:25:42 am
By the time it's fitted you would've got used to the sound and feel of the engine and you won't even need it.  :lol

Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: jackw96 on 20 August 2016, 11:16:36 am
I was doing the same thing for the first few months of owning a fazer. I went from a single cylinder to a buzzy 4 banger. Just get to know where the revs are at certain speeds in top gear.
Title: Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator
Post by: paulchucky on 23 August 2016, 08:02:54 am
phil
simple answer learn to twist your wrist more   
it will make you  :) :) :) :) :)