Electronic instruments

Fast Eddie · Aug 4, 2014

It's kinda ironic really. I was very tempted to fit fancy new electronic clocks to my bike. I like the idea of the better accuracy, and a tidier bike through not having the drive cakes draped around it...

But I decided not to. Nothing wrong with the old ones etc...

And now they're giving me more grief than anything else on the bike!

So I think I am going to go for electronic clocks. AN sell them with the shaded green globe, and although the globe is in the 'wrong place' they look plenty correct enough for me!

Reason for posting is to ask for feedback from users of the new Smiths electronic clocks. Are you happy with them? Do they work as well as claimed? Any fitting tips? Etc?

comnoz · Aug 4, 2014

Around 5500 miles on mine so far and they have been perfect. Jim

Fast Eddie · Aug 5, 2014

comnoz said:
Around 5500 miles on mine so far and they have been perfect. Jim

Thanks Jim. Now ordered.

midnightlamp · Aug 5, 2014

The guy from smiths gauges usa is also a forum member. I recall there being some issues on here with them, however.

comnoz · Aug 5, 2014

midnightlamp said:
The guy from smiths gauges usa is also a forum member. I recall there being some issues on here with them, however.

Tom Kullen is the US importer for Smiths Gauges. He is in the Utah British bike club and helps with the vintage races in Utah.
The only problems I have seen are with people not understanding the setup.
I will admit the documentation that comes with the gauges can be difficult to understand if you are not familiar with electronics.

They can be used with a variety of pickups besides the unit that bolts to the original speedo drive.
I am working on a pickup unit that will replace the speedo drive. I never understood why they retain one of the most troublesome parts with their kit. Jim

tomspro · Aug 5, 2014

I bought the Smiths instruments from Tom about 2 months ago and finally got them installed about two weeks ago.
Only about 100 miles on them, but working perfectly and I like them a lot.
That said, there are some issues.
As mentioned, the instructions are not very good. Confusing and disorganized I think.
Not EVERYTHING is included.
Instructions request a separate 3AMP fuse. And the button to switch from trip to overall mileage, and used to setup the speedo is not included.
Also, I ordered the kit with magnetic sensor so I could dump that speedo drive unit at the rear wheel.
The magnet in the kit is wimpy and the wire from the sensor is not long enough.
So I rigged up mine using ceramic magnets epoxied to the rear drum, which I can explain and photograph if anyone is interested.
LOTS of tiny, thin wires to deal with and that was also a challenge.
Overall I give them an A for operation (so far) and a C for installation.

Fast Eddie · Aug 5, 2014

comnoz said:
midnightlamp said:

The guy from smiths gauges usa is also a forum member. I recall there being some issues on here with them, however.

Click to expand...

Tom Kullen is the US importer for Smiths Gauges. He is in the Utah British bike club and helps with the vintage races in Utah.
The only problems I have seen are with people not understanding the setup.
I will admit the documentation that comes with the gauges can be difficult to understand if you are not familiar with electronics.

They can be used with a variety of pickups besides the unit that bolts to the original speedo drive.
I am working on a pickup unit that will replace the speedo drive. I never understood why they retain one of the most troublesome parts with their kit. Jim

Jim I'm keeping the original speedo drive purely because I don't want to get into designing and fabricating my own solution, which will them probably fail at some point in the future anyway!

If the pick up unit you describe is going to be commercially available, please put me down for one!

Nater_Potater · Aug 5, 2014

Fast Eddie said:
I'm keeping the original speedo drive purely because I don't want to get into designing and fabricating my own solution, which will them probably fail at some point in the future anyway!

I would hope that the drastically reduced load of the now-absent cable should allow the drive to live a much longer life than the current stock set-up. Please keep us posted, as I'm sure I'll be heading that way in the near future, and I like the idea of keeping that drive on the rear axle, if only to help shield the axle bearings.

Nathan

comnoz · Aug 5, 2014

Fast Eddie said:
comnoz said:

If the pick up unit you describe is going to be commercially available, please put me down for one!

Click to expand...

When they are ready I will put a notice here on the list. Jim

tomspro · Aug 5, 2014

comnoz said:
[
They can be used with a variety of pickups besides the unit that bolts to the original speedo drive.
I am working on a pickup unit that will replace the speedo drive. I never understood why they retain one of the most troublesome parts with their kit. Jim

something other than the magnetic pickup that is sold as an option?
the magnetic unit works fine and no need for speedo drive.

comnoz · Aug 5, 2014

tomspro said:
comnoz said:

[
They can be used with a variety of pickups besides the unit that bolts to the original speedo drive.
I am working on a pickup unit that will replace the speedo drive. I never understood why they retain one of the most troublesome parts with their kit. Jim

Click to expand...

something other than the magnetic pickup that is sold as an option?
the magnetic unit works fine and no need for speedo drive.

The magnetic reed switch works if you want to do some fabrication. I don't know how long the unit they have available will last. Only time will tell.

I know KTM uses a magnetic reed switch from the factory and they need to be replaced every couple years.

I will be using a proximity sensor for a pickup. No magnets. Jim

worntorn · Aug 5, 2014

I just ordered an electronic tachometer from Tom Kullen, but in the older Chronometric style. Pretty cool, it can be set to "tick" like the original cable driven Chronometrics do:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jqY4sMlkbIQ

Fast Eddie · Aug 6, 2014

worntorn said:
I just ordered an electronic tachometer from Tom Kullen, but in the older Chronometric style. Pretty cool, it can be set to "tick" like the original cable driven Chronometrics do:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jqY4sMlkbIQ

Yes they are cool! I may go that way on my Black Rap. The tacho and speedo drive cables really do get in the way on mine, there's not a lot of space on a Vin, especially under the tank and seat etc. Nice 'ticking' chronometrics that don't need drive cables sound wonderful !!

tomspro · Aug 6, 2014

comnoz said:
The magnetic reed switch works if you want to do some fabrication. I don't know how long the unit they have available will last. Only time will tell.

I know KTM uses a magnetic reed switch from the factory and they need to be replaced every couple years.

I will be using a proximity sensor for a pickup. No magnets. Jim

Jim - no fabrication needed. Tough to get a pic in there but see below. Sensor held on inside of chainguard with velcro. Magnet epoxied on.
These have been used for many years on bicycles so do not see reed switch failure as an issue.

comnoz · Aug 6, 2014

tomspro said:
Jim - no fabrication needed. Tough to get a pic in there but see below. Sensor held on inside of chainguard with velcro. Magnet epoxied on.
These have been used for many years on bicycles so do not see reed switch failure as an issue.

That looks like a pretty simple installation. How many magnets are you using?

The experience I have with reed switches was on air cylinders on machines and my last 3 KTMs. They always needed regular replacement. Jim

tomspro · Aug 6, 2014

comnoz said:
[
That looks like a pretty simple installation. How many magnets are you using?

I stacked two ceramic magnets that I got at Hobby Lobby. They are crazy strong, but I epoxied them together and to the drum anyway.

Fast Eddie · Aug 18, 2014

Well, they've arrived from AN this morning. The clocks are very nicely made and look great in situ. They only have one harness connecting to each, so it tidies up the front end quite a lot, as my bike is already very minimalist, this makes quite a difference.

I am disappointed though, that with all the technology within them, there is no 'trip switch' built in. If you wish to be able to switch from trip to total mileage, you need to wire in a separate, remote switch. You also have to temporarily wire in a switch in order to be able to set the speedo via its 'ride to set function'. I'm still pleased with them, but it seems they've not quite developed a 'finished product' in my eyes.

Still, I'm looking forward to having both an accurate speedo and tacho to help me evaluate the performance of the bike, the characteristics of the new cam, etc.

tomspro · Aug 18, 2014

Fast Eddie said:
Well, they've arrived from AN this morning. The clocks are very nicely made and look great in situ. They only have one harness connecting to each, so it tidies up the front end quite a lot, as my bike is already very minimalist, this makes quite a difference.

I am disappointed though, that with all the technology within them, there is no 'trip switch' built in. If you wish to be able to switch from trip to total mileage, you need to wire in a separate, remote switch. You also have to temporarily wire in a switch in order to be able to set the speedo via its 'ride to set function'. I'm still pleased with them, but it seems they've not quite developed a 'finished product' in my eyes.

Still, I'm looking forward to having both an accurate speedo and tacho to help me evaluate the performance of the bike, the characteristics of the new cam, etc.

As I said in my earlier post here, agree that the 'package' is incomplete. I got a small switch button at Radio Shack and put it in one of the headlight shell holes (old indicator lamp did not work anyway). Easy to use it to switch from odometer to trip meter or do the speedo setup.

worntorn · Aug 20, 2014

I got one of their electronic "chronometric" tachos. no complaints and it looks great alongside a real Chronometric 5 inch 150 MPH.

Glen

Fast Eddie · Aug 21, 2014

worntorn said:
I got one of their electronic "chronometric" tachos. no complaints and it looks great alongside a real Chronometric 5 inch 150 MPH.

Glen

That does look good Glen. Have you got it set for 'ticking' operation?

I have a pair of small clocks on mine, and due to having a 4ls front drum, I have the speedo drive on the rear wheel, so the speedo cable has to meander its way under the tank etc, which with my none standard carbs etc, is already very tight for space.

Looks like electronic is the way to go!

Electronic instruments

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