The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: NC Steve on April 28, 2007, 06:56:58 PM

Title: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on April 28, 2007, 06:56:58 PM
Beyond a few problems with adhesives, I managed to get the new Sigma 1606L computer  installed, calibrated and tested last night & today. Now I've got accuracy with speed, distance, twin tripmeters, a clock, 2 stopwatch timers, all sorts of useful info.
I wanted to do a neat installation and debated several ideas, finally deciding to replace one of the dummy "plugs" in my R65's dash with the gauge, angled upward like the stock speedo & tach.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4200056.jpg&hash=bccc245f8e1a75932d6458c88a78104dc1c7b5c2)[/img]

I used a slightly tweaked 3/4" 1-hole conduit clamp as a mounting base for the computer head, basically matching the curve and diameter of the stock handlebars.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4200058.jpg&hash=f7098ac9ea5f6faf65997c86b0d62a4d93181629)[/img]

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4200061.jpg&hash=47a816a9dc08b20d311f4369637b0722bed1ff21)[/img]

Ta-Da!

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4220001.jpg&hash=c1ee9cbbf8da26e99bf5895ae352e7a1b9f83b23)[/img]

I also notched the blank plug to allow the bracket's curve thru and to route the wiring to the front wheel.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4280017.jpg&hash=1c178aeb0e21fe49275e098c50c9640d5f0c7e1c)[/img]

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4220009.jpg&hash=78c2ae0bbe005c4574751b89923ac4de6a5c2196)[/img]

Tie-wrapped wires along existing brake hose, leaving slack for fork compression & turning.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4220006.jpg&hash=2ba9649de2d61d197b1fe4f90daa972539e6e722)[/img]

Stuff on the right works great, junk on left, not so good. I went thru 3 epoxies/adhesives before finding one that liked joining magnets to brake discs.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4280034.jpg&hash=8105aac8edfde1fba713a6ca09e6afd928f311db)[/img]

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4280036.jpg&hash=a3178a586970fba90e5a8570894ba77a12ca0071)[/img]

Back from a trial run, everything working fine, Also a chance to try out a new tail bag.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4280019.jpg&hash=6adcdedf0b6c76d44a4e4a5e60c643aefc988b5a)[/img]

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4280023.jpg&hash=eed345e9186379107be464e1cb846604ae81b51c)[/img]

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4280025.jpg&hash=761f741707603f5b175c7e7c331db4c31bd1dcdf)[/img]

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F%5BIMG%5Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4280029.jpg&hash=02eaf98622e18ffff935b6b90cd3e95163233e32)[/img]

Checked against mile markers & 2 car speedos, and everything appears to be very accurate.
Not bad for a few hours and about 30 bucks!



Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: MrRiden on April 28, 2007, 08:52:59 PM
Images?
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Justin B. on April 28, 2007, 09:02:30 PM
Timely post, the odometers on both my wife's '84 R65 and my '81 R100 quit working today!  
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on April 28, 2007, 09:13:16 PM
Mr. Riden, Images?
There are 13 photos: are they not visible? :-?
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Justin B. on April 28, 2007, 10:18:32 PM
I can see 'em...
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Ed Miller on April 28, 2007, 10:32:39 PM
Looks like a neat installation.  I wouldn't have guessed the silicone for sticking the magnet.  Does that thing read over 99 mph?

Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on April 28, 2007, 11:32:53 PM
Ed, yes, it can be set up to read up to 199.9 mph (almost wide open in 5th ;)), as well as average speeds, trip times, calculated time remaining, all kinds of neat stuff. This particular model's also back-lit, which most aren't, although I don't do a whole lot of night riding.

I'd seen a couple of installations here and on other boards, and it seemed like a pretty inexpensive and noninvasive alternative to shipping the stock speedo to Palo Alto in a large crate of $$$, although I'll probably do that down the road, someday, maybe... ::)
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: SCJJR65 on April 29, 2007, 05:49:53 PM
Cool "Show 'n Tell", Steve!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

As "Borat" would say, "Very Nice!"  ;)
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Semper Gumby on April 29, 2007, 06:42:26 PM
Jeez.  34946!  Only a baby!

Love the Blue.  My odo works just fine and the speedo is accurate to 0.5 mph per my GPS.  Perhaps one of the benifits of going  through Palo Alto.

I gave one of those to my brother for Christmas for his Bicycle!  Might have to get one for the BSA as the trip odo will not reset. (Hurrumph..everything else works!)
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: VaSteve on April 29, 2007, 07:27:37 PM
What calculation did you use for the size of the wheel?
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on April 29, 2007, 08:30:47 PM
Steve, the instructions (yeah, I actually read 'em) give 3 options for calculating wheel size;
1) Using their table of wheel/tire combinations and the correlating factor (bicycles only, so useless.)
2) Measuring the actual outer circumference, or
3) Measuring diameter x 3.14. Then, in #2 or 3, you need to convert inches to millimeters, so multiply by 25.4.

I had a spare wheel & tire, so I measured the circumference of that and compared to the diameter x pi calculation of my mounted wheel, and came up with 2000 mm for both, which I entered into the computer. Then, by designating kmh or mph, the computer does the rest.
I went out again today and put on about 80 more miles out in the country, and so far, so good. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Melena on April 30, 2007, 12:09:34 AM
I'm glad to see a successful installation.  I started to do this last year but what I did didn't work.  I'm just having trouble finding a place to put the sensor on the forks.  

I have the cordless one on my bicycle and it seems to work great.  

How did you attach the sensor to the forks?  
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on April 30, 2007, 06:40:02 PM
Melena, Sigma gives you several heavy-duty "rubber bands", for lack of a better term, about like hair bands, that you can loop together & around the lower fork leg. You can kinda see these in the 1 pic of the magnet & sensor. I used 2 in a figure 8-type configuration and secured the sensor at its' curved mounting edges. They also include several small tie wraps, for the same purpose as well as securing the computer itself, and these could be used if preferred.

Now that I've gotten the unit tested and calibrated, I think I'll additionally secure the sensor with another dab of the silicone adhesive. There's only a 5mm maximum distance between it and the magnet, so I don't want it slipping or jumping around any.  ;)
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: VaSteve on May 23, 2007, 10:40:14 AM
What was the glue that worked?  I just picked one of these computers up and wanted to install it tonight.  I can't see the images.
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Jon_P on May 23, 2007, 02:09:15 PM
i can see half of the pixs? i was thinking about doing that on the cafe so i could keep it real clean looking. thought about a gps unit and join rob in the geo hunting thing, guess it will come down to how much $$ i have and when i am going to do something about it.
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on May 23, 2007, 05:29:54 PM
WTF? Looks like 2 of the pics are gone, but the rest are fine, for now at least!
Even though I'm able to post 'em, I still say it's PFM to make 'em "take". ::)

But, VA Steve, to answer your question I used a Permatex clear silicone adhesive: see if this pic'll go thru.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi146.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr261%2Fsteve2371%2FP4280034-1.jpg&hash=a913979eed7188639c236aa170545eae56d2b02d)

Apparently the key is both "silicone" and "adhesive" as opposed to plain caulk. Still in place just fine.
The Loctite brand didn't do much at all.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: VaSteve on May 23, 2007, 06:17:10 PM
Cool I'm going shopping, but I can't figure out where you glued it to the brake disk?  Inside the "cup"?

Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on May 23, 2007, 06:32:24 PM
Yep, right against the edge of the "cup", with the sensor mounted on the inner left fork leg.
You'll have to play with it a bit to get it just right, but be sure the magnet itself is adhered solidly & well, as you can move the sensor around a bit to compensate.
If you need any more pics, let me know. Also, see these, pretty much the set-up I used too.

http://www.stephenbottcher.net/BMW/GS/05mar06/DSCF0540.JPG
http://www.stephenbottcher.net/BMW/GS/05mar06/DSCF0549.JPG

These are from this earlier thread:
http://suraklyn.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1174912262/2#2
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Justin B. on May 23, 2007, 10:09:23 PM
Steve, you only put one image link in your message that's why only one picture is showing...
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Melena on May 24, 2007, 12:21:26 AM
I finally got my cycle computer attached to my bike.  I used 2 rare earth magnets that I got at Radio Shack and put them right on the disc between the fasteners. You can see on Steve's pictures that it would be right near the inside edge.  I used 2 so that they would be closer to the sensor.  3 were too many and the top one would get knocked off by the forks.  I used some super glue on the bottom one and glued it on, but I think that some of the glue got to the top one too as they are stuck together like they are one piece with the disc.  And I tried  really hard to move the top one.  No way is it coming off.  

Otherwise I pretty much attached the sensor the same way that you did, Steve.   I put the computer part on the dash through the same place, but the wire comes in at the bottom, and put velcro on the removable piece and on the back of the computer holder.  It stays on there very nicely.  I hope it does as well on the road, but I think it will as it is pretty well protected from the wind there.  I'll get some pictures of it to put up later.  

I measured my wheel circumference by putting a non stretchable string around the middle of the tire and cutting it to size then measured that.  

Now I just have to check to see how accurate it is.  I haven't had a chance to ride it yet.  But, tomorrow morning I'm leaving for the 49er Rally, so I will have lots of opportunity to test it.   ;D
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Ed Miller on May 24, 2007, 12:51:16 AM
Cool Melena!  Let us know how fast your bike will go.

Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: steve hawkins on May 24, 2007, 03:31:59 AM
Here is the computer I have fitted to mine.

http://www.trailtechproducts.co.uk/store/erol.html

There are also some lovely aluminuim holders for those with deeper pockets.

Not cheep, as you are paying UK prices, what with the exchange rate and all.  But I am sure you should be able to find the same product in the good ol US of A.

Worth a Google?

Steve H
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Justin B. on May 24, 2007, 06:58:28 AM
Steve, that Vapor looks extremely kewl!  I can see that integrated into a dash like baffo is making...
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: VaSteve on May 24, 2007, 07:28:03 AM
I glued the magnet in place last night, and the silicone still seems a little plyable this morning.  The magnet is very light, but I opted against riding the bike to work this morning because I wanted a full cure.  NC Steve Does the silicone ever completely harden?  

I'll mount the computer when I get home tonight, I'm really anxious to try this out.  

Lots of Steve's in this thread!!

Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on May 24, 2007, 10:10:37 AM
VA, yes, it does take a while for the silicone to fully cure. Once I figured out my installation plan, I glued the magnet into place 1st and let it set while I hooked up everything else, then did the measuring & programming the next day.
In all, it was probably 30+ hours after applying the adhesive before I rode the bike, and even then I  rolled slowly around the neighborhood and made some spot-checks at first. But, it's on there good now.

Did you go with the same Sigma?
Melena, how about yours?

Justin, you lost me about the 1 image link: are you referring to the adhesive pic above? That one I added just last night, but seem to have lost a couple of pics from the original installation post, including this same one. Can't remember what the other one was...
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: VaSteve on May 24, 2007, 09:17:39 PM
Quote
Did you go with the same Sigma?


Exactly the same.  Why reinvent the wheel?  :)
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: VaSteve on September 03, 2007, 08:41:48 PM
Quote
Steve, the instructions (yeah, I actually read 'em) give 3 options for calculating wheel size;
1) Using their table of wheel/tire combinations and the correlating factor (bicycles only, so useless.)
2) Measuring the actual outer circumference, or
3) Measuring diameter x 3.14. Then, in #2 or 3, you need to convert inches to millimeters, so multiply by 25.4.

I had a spare wheel & tire, so I measured the circumference of that and compared to the diameter x pi calculation of my mounted wheel, and came up with 2000 mm for both, which I entered into the computer. Then, by designating kmh or mph, the computer does the rest.
I went out again today and put on about 80 more miles out in the country, and so far, so good. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

To update.  I used 2000mm as posted above and my bike computer was ahead of the stock ODO...which drove me nuts.  I measured my tire with a piece of string and came up with 1905mm.  I put that in and rode nearly 200 miles this weekend.  It's spot on now.    I have a Metzler tire i it makes any difference.  
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: Melena on September 03, 2007, 09:38:49 PM
VaSteve,

Glad to hear your update on your Sigma and that it's doing the job for you and that you figured out the correct measurement.

So I thought I'd give my update too.  
Mine seems to be right on.  I haven't checked the odo against anything yet, but the speedometer part is right on, so I'm thinking the odo part would be right on too.  I think my tire measurement came out the same as what you measured.  I have Metzlers too.

Ed, I forgot that you'd asked about how fast my bike would go, now that I know the true speed.   ;D  I think I went 85 mph on I 80 going to the 49er Rally.  I really don't like going that fast with all those cars zipping around me.   :o    But then I don't like going any slower than that on I 80 either.  


Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: NC Steve on September 03, 2007, 10:01:41 PM
Hmmmm, VA and Melena, so you say it's 1905 mm with Metzlers, huh? What tire size are you both running? Glad to hear your Sigma's are working out well, but maybe I'd better remeasure my own tire... :-?

I've got a clunky Challenger 100/90 on the bike right now, with plans to replace both tires very soon with a set of Bridgestone BT-45s, so I'm sure some recalibration will be called for then, for sure.
Meanwhile, I've got a metric measuring tape now, so I'll double-check this week and adjust if necessary.
Thanks for the info  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: Bicycle computer install successful
Post by: mtpica on September 05, 2007, 01:32:52 AM
I don't see the pictures either, I just see a white square with a red x inside followed by
"[/img]" for each picture.

Do I need to change my list or browser settings somehow?

mark
1984 R65
1982 R100RT