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Using Bike Clocks for Non-Bike Applications
scootz - 16/9/08 at 06:04 PM

Been looking at all sorts of digi-dashes for my car (Race-Technology, Evodash, AIM, Stack, etc.), but they are all bloody expensive!

Struck me that many modern sportsbike dashes have very similar features, look just as good.... and are a damn sight cheaper.

So... how hard would it be to do all the plumbing to make one work properly. I'm using an Audi engine with an Omex 710 ECU.

blakep82 - 16/9/08 at 06:08 PM

how about this?
http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=13584

imp paul - 16/9/08 at 06:13 PM

you mite like this approx £198

scootz - 16/9/08 at 06:23 PM

Cheers guys - will look into them both.

Any ideas on my original Q about using bike clocks? Only reason I'm leaning towards them is that I know that Honda / Yamaha ones are built to very high standards and on the second hand market give plenty of bangs for your bucks!

blakep82 - 16/9/08 at 06:32 PM

should be possible, but i'm just thinking rev counter's and stuff, different rev range etc. might involve a lot of recalibration?

scootz - 16/9/08 at 06:47 PM

Also wondering how many bike clocks have ECU related 'codes' in them... i.e. take it away from the machine it was born with and it doesn't work. I really fancy using a set of Honda VTR SP1 CLOCKS

Howlor - 16/9/08 at 06:48 PM

I had a look at using the elise clocks as they are Stack, look excellent and are reasonable shape to install. Normally go for about £120.

Steve

imp paul - 16/9/08 at 06:49 PM

hmm there very nice cool as ice

blue2cv - 16/9/08 at 06:52 PM

I got some clocks from a CBR1000RR, looks like a Stack too

russbost - 16/9/08 at 06:56 PM

How about an Acewell 3250, only a touch dearer than the Vapor, but has fuel guage + loads of other features like gear indicator, shift light etc

dan__wright - 16/9/08 at 07:19 PM

from memory your using a v8? (or possibly a 6pot, not 100%?)

your biggest problem with bike clocks will be revs due to different number of cylinders but they are no different from any aftermarket clocks apart from the fact they are not adjustable.

power, ground, speed, revs, temp, warning light inputs then a data channel used to send fault codes from ecu to clocks but they will work without it (at least most should)

scootz - 16/9/08 at 07:42 PM

Cheers guys.

Dan - the RS4 engine revs pretty high (officially 8250, but reputedly will be happy doing 500 more), so that's why I thought about a V-twin bike clock (I think the SP1 revs to 11k).

dan__wright - 16/9/08 at 07:48 PM

but the problem is if the clocks are for a 4 pot and you use a v8 the revs will read double so at 6K clocks read 12K.

scootz - 16/9/08 at 08:47 PM

I don't understand (not unusual for me!).

I thought the rpm was taken from the crankshaft via the trigger-wheel. Surely with one crankshaft / trigger wheel combo, then there can only be one RPM interpretation?

I'm sure you're probably right, but everyday is a school-day, so could do with expansion on your theory.

dan__wright - 16/9/08 at 08:56 PM

taken from coil

scootz - 16/9/08 at 08:58 PM

Cheers!

So what does a trigger wheel do?

russbost - 16/9/08 at 09:34 PM

Sends trigger signal for TDC to the ECU in very basic terms.

scootz - 17/9/08 at 07:01 AM

See... it's true - everyday's a school day!

I thought TDC was just all about cam positions!

02GF74 - 17/9/08 at 12:29 PM

short answer it yes, it can be done but it may not be easy.

I would have thought that the rpm is not coming from the coils but is a signal from ecu that corresponds to coil firing.

I say that since don't modern bikes have 4 coils, and even not so modern ones used 2 with wasted spark and are unlikey to have the 2 wires connected directly together for the rpm signal.

Basically you would need to know what signalthe rpm counter is using then adjust it according to where you take you rpm signal from.

scootz - 17/9/08 at 01:53 PM

Cheers guys... sounds a bit complicated (and likely to cost more in the long term than just forking out for an 'out-the-box' package'.

martyn_16v - 17/9/08 at 07:24 PM

Have bikes not discovered canbus yet? If they have, it may not be as simple (relatively) as just replicating all of the various inputs.

02GF74 - 19/9/08 at 07:05 AM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Cheers guys... sounds a bit complicated (and likely to cost more in the long term than just forking out for an 'out-the-box' package'.


don't give up so easily!!

anything can eb done given enough time and money.

it depends on how much the clocks cost and how much would be needed to interface them to your engine. most after market systems are pushing £ 200 or more; i am sure you cna get bike clocks off ebay for 1/10 th that price.

the lamps should be easy peasy.

the speedo should be sorted with a speedo healer and sensor - healers are on ebay for £ 13 - search forum for the one i refer to.

rpm - just need to know the signal the clock require and then supply it , not insurmountable.

scootz - 19/9/08 at 08:48 AM

Shiver me timbers... you've re-ignited my desire to land ashore and get me hands on some bike sextants.

(Sorry - it is officially 'speak like a pirate Friday).

scootz - 21/9/08 at 08:41 PM

Search over... bought a set of clocks from a Honda S2000 car.

HERE!