81 Dashboard Questions...

[azcycle]

After doing some research and examining a wiring diagram I found (and downloaded) online... I think what John did was use the indicator light panel AND mini-pin plug from a different model BMW bike.  I think he just cut the old mini-pin off and spliced in this new one, matching up the wires he needed.  Which is why the lights in the OEM tachometer don't illuminate when I just plug it in.

I was hoping to use the OEM tachometer and buy a Trail Tech speedometer to have an old/new look combined, and fabricate a new dashboard bracket to hold both.

So I guess my choice is to:  

1) Rewire the existing mini-pin plug to match the stock configuration and use the OEM tachometer. With trying to find an OEM mini-pin plug and the new rewiring issue, this suddenly became a lot more complicated. Plus I'm not guaranteed the OEM tach even works correctly... probably why John removed it to begin with.

OR

2) Keep the exisiting rewired inicator light panel, and just purchase a Trail Tech gauge with tachometer.  

Number 2 has become much more attractive... and all I'd have to do is fabricate a mounting bracket to hold both the panel and the new gauge.

[Bob_Roller]

If the connector that's on the bike now, is compatible with the original tachometer, you can remove the individual pins from the connector, and move them .

I'm assuming the pins are round, remove the connector, and you have a little 'free play' of the wire in the connector, push the wire from the backside of the connector, and then place something like a wire 'butt' splice over the pin and push down, it should compress the small spring tab, that prevents the pin from backing out of the connector, and you should be able to pull the wire and pin out of the connector .

Same thing can be done to the flat pin connectors, only difference, is that there is a small slot in the connector where the pin sits, and need to place a pin or other small tool in the slot, to depress the spring tab .

[azcycle]

Ah, didn't know I could do that... that helps.  The current connector does just plug right in to the tachometer... just none of the lights turn on as indicated, and the tach itself doesn't work.  So the plug/wires are different.

Do you know (or anyone else) how pins 1-8 are numbered in the plug?  I have the color coded wiring diagram that lists 1-8 and what they power, but I don't know where "1" is on the plug, if that makes sense.  

[montmil]

Ooh, ooh,ooh...Pick me...Just remembered  Waving his hand in the air

I have an unused and unwanted and unwashed tach plug with the proper colored wires hanging out of its mouth. Pay me some postage and it's yours if you want it.   Monte

[steven m]

Wow, that's certainly an, uh, interesting esthetic.  If you aren't going back to stock, I'd consider a digital dash like Monte's.  With that chopper headlight it could look really sano.  Just my two cents.

Steve

[azcycle]

Wow, that's certainly an, uh, interesting esthetic.  If you aren't going back to stock, I'd consider a digital dash like Monte's.  With that chopper headlight it could look really sano.  Just my two cents.

Steve

   Yeah, true.  I really like the indicator idiot lights within the tachometer more than the existing big clunky panel that John put on there but you might be right... it might not look that good.

Not sure I want to go back to stock, and I'm guessing the stock gauges may not be working at all.  I'd rather spend $150 on a new gauge than twice that on rebuilding these old ones.

However, I just like the challenge of getting the old tachometer wiring straightened out.