I'm not real smart- so I'll ask

[wardan123]

I am converting my '81 R65 into a cafe racer. I'd like to run just the tachometer. Upon disassembly of the the lighting and guages, I think the tach is sealed and could be run out in the open. I plan on finding a "boot" to cover the plug that enters the backside of the tach.

My question- Is the tach a sealed unit? can it be run exposed?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Andrew

[Bob_Roller]

Neither indicator is sealed, you've got access to the bulb that illuminates the the indicator, plus the other 'indicator lights,' low oil pressure, neutral, high beam and GEN light .

You need to make sure that the GEN light, either has a bulb, or a 330 ohm resistor between the two wires, or the alternator will not work .

[montmil]

...You need to make sure that the GEN light, either has a bulb, or a 330 ohm resistor between the two wires, or the alternator will not work .

And that's the truth. [smiley=thumbup.gif] The bulb's filament acts as an exciter to trigger the alternator and charging system. My 1986 VW Cabriolet has the same Bosch lash up with the ALT bulb in the dash.

You should be able to devise a method to keep the tach's wiring plug and the slip-in tach lamp secure and dry.

[Semper Gumby]

The only dumb question is the one NOT asked!

[steve hawkins]

I went the other way with my Cafe Racer.  I run just a speedo.

I found the original instruments too big and bulky to mount in an asthetically pleasing way, so I gave up on them and mounted a large bike speedo on the back of the standard headlight - which was a precursor to the trailtech offerings.  I wired in the idiot lights seperately.

I also found that actually, in real life on the open road, that the rev counter was not really necessary.  The bike talks to you - its a twin.  Stay in gear till the power start to drop - you will feel it, and then change up.  You should be able to avoid the red line this way, and you'll never red line it in top anyway.  Actually I found max speed can be attained in 4th gear and only held in 5th.  Arrive in 5th too early and you will never make it into the 'Ton-Up' club.

I do ride with a little mechanical sympathy....

[azcycle]

Steve, do you have a close-up of your "dashboard" and indicator lights/ignition setup?  Looks much like I want to do!

[steve hawkins]

I will try and get one this weekend.  But I will describe it.

Since the speedo is bolted onto the back of the head light it is seperate.

But the plate that holds the warning lights and ignition barrel is bolted to the existing handlebar mounts on the top yoke(triple-tree?) with nice dome head, allen screws.  As I am using clip-ons, these mounts are now unused.

The plate projects a little forward of the triple tree and the ignition barrel is mounted in the centre close to the yoke, in a similar position to where it is mounted as standard.  The warning lights are mounted two each - either side of the barrel in a regular pattern.  I have a plastic BMW badge to set it off mounted between the down head mount screws.

I do, however, think that it would now be easier to mount a trailtech unit instead and have a useful lit unit with warning lights and a rev counter all in one albeit larger unit.  If I were doing it again, that is the path I would take - but I would have my own mount and it would go on the yoke as my current one does.
 
Rev. Light

[azcycle]

Thanks! I do have the trailtech with the 4-light-idiot-light surround (not installed yet). I just need to figure out what to do with the battery/charge light and the ignition cylinder.  Thinking of building a custom aluminum dashboard panel that holds the trailtech dashboard and incorporates the charge light and ignition.

[montmil]

Graeme,

See that little red glowing lamp in the middle of the stem? Radio Shack red LED. Ran the wires down through the steering stem with a couple spade connectors to the original Oil Pressure light wires... I may need to pull the forks or somethin' someday.

I don't recall if my TrailTech Vapor manual mentions a GEN or OP lamp but there's no reason one of those Vapor lights couldn't be a GEN lamp. Or, as Bob Roller mentioned earlier, just eliminate the bulb and put a 330 ohm resistor in its place. Hide that puppy under the tank. That's where mine is.

[Lucky_Lou]

Love that bike Steve... what did you do with the oil breather ??
Lou

[wardan123]

Thanks for the expert replies! - and the inspiration to modify/chop.

Andrew

[steve hawkins]

As promised, A picture of my dash set-up.

The bike has been sorn'd for a while and the batteries in my speedo have failed.  I do know the mileage though.

As you can see I have still got the twin pull throttle arrangement of the 78-80 R65, which is better than the post 81.  The master cylinder is a single disc post 81 - a little but of ajustment require to mate the two together.

Lou, I bought a mini 'filter' and mounted it on the cover plate that is in place of the clamshell airbox.  The breather goes into that.  You should be able to see it on the previous picture.

I am careful not to overfill my oil so do not seem to have much of an issue will lots of oil comming out.  But it effectively vents out the atmostphere.

Rev. Light