Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator

Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - Printable Version

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Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - phil mcglassup - 11-08-16

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 ?

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - misterjayb1 - 11-08-16

My answer would be no, unless you wanted to use complicated electronics Smile

.. 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

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - darrsi - 11-08-16

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

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - phil mcglassup - 11-08-16

Big Grin

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

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - Bretty - 11-08-16

Something like this?

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - darrsi - 11-08-16

(11-08-16, 05:49 PM)phil mcglassup link Wrote:

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.

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - misterjayb1 - 11-08-16

(11-08-16, 07:12 PM)darrsi link Wrote: [quote author=phil mcglassup link=topic=20774.msg239144#msg239144 date=1470934154]

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.
[/quote]

Unlearning the short shifting I'd got used to on my Ducati Monster is proving difficult at times.. :rolleyes

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - phil mcglassup - 11-08-16

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 ?

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - celticdog - 12-08-16

(11-08-16, 04:34 PM)darrsi link Wrote: 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 Smile

if i'm doing 60 mph i know i'm in top gear if the rev counter's a 5000 rpm. :rollin :rollin :rollin

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - darrsi - 12-08-16

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.

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - characticus - 12-08-16

(11-08-16, 10:33 PM)phil mcglassup link Wrote: 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.

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - joebloggs - 12-08-16

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

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - YamFazFan - 13-08-16

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

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - celticdog - 17-08-16

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

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - mr self destruct - 17-08-16

(13-08-16, 03:16 PM)YamFazFan link Wrote: 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.

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - schlumpf - 18-08-16

(17-08-16, 03:15 PM)celticdog link Wrote: 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.

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - Robgosty - 19-08-16

I got one of these, does the job really well and costs buttons compared to others Big Grin

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121325993344?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - Val - 20-08-16

(19-08-16, 05:18 PM)Robgosty link Wrote: 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 :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

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - darrsi - 20-08-16

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

Re: Simple DIY 6th gear position indicator - jackw96 - 20-08-16

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.