Shaky Guages.

[Sunbeem]

I’d like to go over the charging system on my R100RS, and it would help if the voltmeter needle was less hysterical. The ammeter on my old BSA B33 was a sealed unit, and filling it with automatic tranny fluid improved it immensely.
Anyone done this on a BMW ?
Sunbeem

[montmil]

Any reason you could not use a DVOM at the voltmeter? Voltmeters, automotive, MC or aircraft, are rarely accurate enough to be considered reliable instruments. They are a bit helpful as an early warning device.

[Justin B.]

Oil dampened gauges have to be designed and built that way, AFAIK.  I don't think I have ever read/heard of a procedure for modifying a standard gauge in this way.  You might be able to source a dampened gauge from somebody like VDO, Auto Meter, Stewart Warner, etc.  But, that said, the voltmeter on my R100RT is rock-steady so maybe you have another issue...

[Sunbeem]

Thanks both, seems I'm checking the train's wheel with a cracked hammer here. I was just hoping to stop the needle oscillating, thinking it was vibration (like the B33). Didn't occur to me the cause might be deeper.
I need to explore the charging circuit asap, so maybe the gauge will tell me when I've hit the spot, though I agree with the assessment of it's reliability. Nice to know rock-steady is a possibility though.
Many thanks,
Sunbeem.

[mikethebike]

I always use a clip on digital multimeter. Spot on voltage recordings and only a few quid to buy.
Mike

[Sunbeem]

Didn't know there was such a thing, just what I need-  thanks Mike.
Sunbeem.

[airhead]

I was cheesed off with the stock Motometer voltmeter performance (swinging wildly with indicators etc) and reliability issues on my R65, so got VDO (clock as well).
They are much better, the voltmeter damped so gives a reading only a couple seconds behind actual, more than adequate.
On my R90, as I have used oil temp/pressure gauges, used a Kuryakyn LED bar voltmeter, small enough to be tucked away but still useful.


Bill.....................;-)

[Justin B.]

I got the impression that during steady-state conditions his needle was bouncing all over the place.  Mine does also "twitch" with the turn signals and brake light, I just consider that to be normal.    I've been thinking of trying to retrofit some Volvo gauges as they are plentiful over here in the bone-yards and you can even find oil temp and 5 bar oil pressure gauges.  It would also be quite neat to have a pair of the boost/vacuum gauges to monitor the vacuum on both carbs.  You can probably tell that I'm a gauge freak, I hate idiot lights...

[airhead]

No need to apologise, I'm a gauge freak as well. Had a full set on my Morris Mini, oil pressure, water temp and amp. The water temp saved my engine when a core plug sprung a leak, the standard Mini didn't even have an idiot light for water temp (or a heater as standard for that matter!!) so I wouldn't have had any idea till too late.
Most my VW's had oil temp and pressure as well as head temp, volt and tach, soon showed me the relationship between full throttle flat out running and oil/head temps on an air (and ultimately oil ) cooled engine!!
As a suggestion, you will find 5 bar too low for the Airhead. I'd already shelled out for the gauge and sender before someone suggested the same to me. The Mighty Ninety goes past 5 bar when cold and stays pretty close to it once fully warmed, only dropping when at idle (2 bar) or puttering along at low revs (around 4 bar), this at an oil temp around 110 - 120 deg C. I don't consider it a problem though as it seems more obvious if something was to go wrong.
I must admit though, vac gauges have always seemed a bit naff to me, but each to their own!!!!

Bill.....................;-)

[Sunbeem]

Thanks for the responses folks, I´ve certainly got some food for thought there. I can see the value of information regarding oil pressure and temperature, and riding in Spain would require an oil cooler for sure. I did have a vacuum gauge on a car once, and it did help me to see when I was giving the engine more fuel than it could deal with. As I wobble around at low RPM a good deal, I would be interested to see what they told me regarding the fuel efficiency of my riding style, but I might easily spend too much time not watching the road! (And having worked on Avro Vulcans in the RAF I,m a bit tired of banks of gauges).
Maybe the answer is  buy them, fit them, learn the lessons, then sell them? Time will tell.

Very few locked motorcycles here in Orgiva, must mean something.......
Greetings to all from a rather overheated Sunbeem.