Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator

[phil mcglassup]

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 

Has anyone ever done anything like this ?

[misterjayb1]

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.. 

[darrsi]

A word of advice, stop looking for seventh gear, it simply ain't there!

[phil mcglassup]

 

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

[Bretty]

Something like this?

[darrsi]

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.

[misterjayb1]

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.. 

[phil mcglassup]

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 ?

[celticdog]

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.

[darrsi]

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.

[characticus]

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.

[joebloggs]

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

[YamFazFan]

My (completely standard) Foxeye reads 5650 RPM at 70 MPH in top gear.

[celticdog]

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

[mr self destruct]

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.

[schlumpf]

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

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://fireblade_chris.hp.altmuehlnet.de/Ganganzeige_SC57.htm
http://www.jn-elektronik.de/?page_id=25
http://cvieth.bplaced.net/ganganzeige_mini.html

As you are very sensitive on price my suggestion would be the first option, reed contact type.

[Robgosty]

I got one of these, does the job really well and costs buttons compared to others 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121325993344?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Val]

I got one of these, does the job really well and costs buttons compared to others 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121325993344?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

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

I really like the clarifications there:

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

 

[darrsi]

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. 

[jackw96]

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.

[paulchucky]

phil
simple answer learn to twist your wrist more   
it will make you