Using aftermarket gauges on the 82 XJ750

A couple quick questions with regards to aftermarket gauges - particularly pertaining to my 82 XJ750, but I'm *assuming* there's a lot of similarities.

I was planning on replacing my console for a minimal gauge setup this winter (many of the various sensors in the LCD don't work correctly/reliably, the console is ugly normally and moreso being 35 years old), but as I have the whole front end apart now, it may be worth doing as I put everything back together again to save repeated disassembly/reasssembly. Not sure if I'm going to go this route - cost is certainly a concern, as is simplicity - it may well just wait till winter anyways. But it'd be nice to know what to look for.

In the case of the tachometer, will any generic aftermarket electronic 3+2 wire tach work when wired up to the existing tach pickup? I'm not sure if these are made to account for wasted spark ignition systems. If not, what sort of things should I look for? The sense lead is just a wire to one of the coil's input leads, correct?

For the speedometer, my understanding is that the Yamaha speedometer uses an odd gearing, and won't be correct with a generic aftermarket cable driven speedo. Is this correct? I'd prefer to keep the existing speedo drive, but installing a hall sensor+magnet wouldn't be tremendously difficult.

 

there is a thread on removing the atari and the wiring you have to do to make it work.
Here's the wiring mods to remove the rectangular instruments
some have just found a place to tuck the computer module to avoid many issues with the removal

yes sensor lead goes to coil on tach
you could pick up a speedo tach set from an 83 maxim 750


http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/speedo-gauges-conversion.107004/

 

Yup, read up on the Atari Delete thread, I'm just wondering about what sorts of aftermarket gauges will work "out of the box".

I get that the 83 Maxim gauges will work fine for just removing the console; but I'd like to go much more bare-bones with a simple set such as the MikesXS gauges, but do not know what speedo drive ratio is used. Seems most of the MikesXS ones are 2:1 ratio; is that correct?

Still, adding a hall effect sensor is an easy change to allow for any generic speedo.

The tach, though? Will any generic electronic tach work? Or is there anything I should be looking for?

Mostly, I'd just like some creative choice in which gauges I end up using for customization's sake... and cost savings, for that matter. Sadly, MikeSX only has one electronic tach, the 1.9" black face variety, which is unfortunate as they've got a range of very nice speedos in the 2.25" range.

 

To be clear: I've been browsing through the DIY forums all morning, just haven't found specifics for requirements as to what aftermarket gauges can be used. I've got a pretty good grasp of what needs to be done first in removing the existing console and such.

There's a bunch of threads with people discussing swapping them, but few details on what specific requirements exist.

 

to setup the tach, you input the number of cylinders and how many times the plug fires per crank revolution, that makes them compatible with just about any bike. air or water cooled temperature sensors are different but that can be worked around. make sure a digital gauge is back lit.

 

I've seen a bunch that are configurable for "1, 2 or 4" cylinders. I'm reaching here, but the only difference I can think of between a 2 and 4 cylinder setup would be with a wasted spark configuration, for example a fairly popular electronic speedo/tach I've seen people monkeying with like this one: https://www.amazon.ca/Speedometer-T...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=79ZVXCZXDVFPGNDXC85Y

Not so much that I'm considering that in particular, just trying to get an idea of what sort of things I should be looking for.

Also: This is with the understanding that I've only got the outputs the bike has (no gear sensor for example). I just want to avoid buying gauges that will read incorrectly due to hardware differences is all.

 

http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/speedometer-and-tachometer-ratios-once-and-for-all.38405/

 

So, according to that: 2240:60 for mph / and 2330:100 for km/h

And MikesXS sells compatible(or so I assume, as you refer to them regularly) speedos, and lists them as 2:1 (which is clearly in relation to something else entirely) but as they're for Yamaha bikes, and Bigfitz says there that the Yamaha mechanical speedo drives are all the same, that either means of identifying them should be the same? Am I just over-thinking this, and mechanical speedos (at least amongst Japanese bikes) are largely all the same? The posts in that thread lead me to believe that.

Sadly, it's not at all helpful for tachs. Ideally, being electronic it's just a matter of figuring out if it'll read correctly, or double (due to the double-spark). I really wish MikesXS had a selection of matching 2.25" electronic tachs to go with their speedos. I guess very few XS's have electronic tachs?


This is substantially more difficult to figure out than I'd anticipated.

 

instructions for this set up talks about a power door lock????
oil light is set to resistance being set between 100R and 500R the oil level sensor in an xj is a float switch oil full switch open, except on atari equiped bikes the switch works reverse oil full switch closed . there is a resistor in the xj oil circuit 8.5 ohms to oil sensor. for the light test function it also uses a diode in series with the resistor.
so you may not have an oil light with the meter , i consider the oil light a very important function.

45$ get what you pay for

 

you could go a different direction and just put a speedometer on it and hook up an oil light .
the tach is just a decoration only needed for tune ups, unless you just like to redline your bike
do you need a high beam indicator? no
directional indicators ? no
neutral light? no

 

Yeah, as I said:

I'm not interested in that one in particular - in fact, I want a minimal set of dials like the MikesXS ones, but sadly they don't have electronic tachs in 2.25".

I just mentioned it in passing as I've seen the same config setup in several gauges for the tachometer. It's got the standard 3 wire (Vcc, sense, ground) and can be configured for "1, 2, or 4" cylinders. But really, from a tach's point of view with a single sense line, how is cylinder count even relevant? Any cylinder is going to spark once every 2 (multi cylinder wasted spark) or 4 (everything else) revolutions.

What I'm driving at in this thread is:

How can I tell, when I'm shopping for aftermarket speedometers and tachometers, if they will function on the bike?

What I can't tell is, when I'm looking at a tach for example: will it read correctly? Or a speedo - if its cable driven, and uses the same cable, will it work? We've got the ratios above, but Mikes' 2:1 speedos apparently work too.

Not debating the quality or even suitability of particular gauges, mind you; higher level than that. Just, how can you tell - assuming the gauge isn't a PoS and functions as it's intended to - if it'll work on these bikes or not?

 

the stock tach is not all that accurate.
any tach you put on would need to be checked against a hand held (shop) tach
in the end a tach is like a torque wrench you just have to trust it is working correctly.
I would go with just a speedo and oil light

I would think if you buy it from mike it is going to work on a yamaha

 

I certainly may do this. I can easily add any indicator lights I want anyways, as I'm at least moderately capable with electronics and own a 3d printer. But it's an asthetic thing. Bikes with just a speedo look... Wrong, I guess, to me.

With regards to this thread, I'm not at all interested in indicators, just how to know whether a given gauge will work or not.

 

mikexs does have matching speedo and tach in 2.25"

tach Part #
03-0732
speedo
Part #
03-0730
calibrated for 19" wheel

 

That's a mechanical tach. He's got lots of those, but only a single 1.9" electronic one.

 

how can anybody tell you that unless they have experience with a particular model.
mine works, Acewell # ace3200

 

I consider the tach a necessity. I can't speak for the 550, but when passing on a 750 redline comes up very quickly, and the bike doesn't sound any different above redline than it does at 9k.

 

That's a fair statement. I was hoping there was some way to know, some common differentiator, know what I mean?

It's pretty common for more generic items to have common features for that. Tire sizes, for example. Lights as well; your looking for a certain identified bulb type.

If that just doesn't really exist, that's fine, and an unfortunate but totally valid answer. I just hoped there was a way to tell short of buy&try.

Not trying to be difficult here, it's just a question I've seen raised several times without a clear answer. That there ISN'T a clear answer sucks, but it is what it is I guess.

 

for the tach, all you need is a setting for pulses per revolution, you need 2. the speedo, will need to be set by the circumference of the wheel. i would think they all do that. a gear indicator is silly but maybe it could be made into a neutral light? the timers are kind of nice, the trip odo is good for gas stops. max speed is nice but mine only goes to 99. max rpm is nice. i have a headlight to tell me if high beam is on, it's always on. back light is a must, some even change color, cool.
the best part of getting a name brand {$} is the instructions are in english as opposed to chinglish. you will read them alot setting it up

 

@Wintersdark
How did this turn out?
I'm torn between these 2 options:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076KMJ525/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A2KZ2NFQTEZSE3&psc=1
comes with instructions but not quite the style I like...
AND
https://www.amazon.com/Ambuker-Spee...22081&sr=1-13&keywords=motorcycle+speedometer
Would have to figure out the wiring... but I like the style

 

I've used the 2nd cheaper option on my build. Although my gauge was from a separate seller. Not sure if that really matters.
https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/xj650rj-seca-build.111444/page-3 has some information on some notes from the "manual / instructions" that it comes with. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J77O0OS/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_dp here is the amazon link for the one I purchased. I've talked to others who have used this and for the most part it works without issues. 1 person I've heard from was completely unable to get the speedo to work. but thats the only negative feedback i've heard.

 

I ended up just sticking with the stock gauges, and spent a lot of time sharing parts between two clusters to get one nice one.

With that said, there's someone on here (wracking memory as to who, but I've drawing a blank) who's running an Acewell gauge.

I've also personally seen the cheap eBay LCD gauges work(your second link), to varying degrees of success. The tach can be fiddly, some gauges work better than others with the existing electronic tach line (assuming you've got an 82 or other model with an electronic tach anyways), but most electronic gauges use an electronic speedo pickup, and that's really easy to install on a rotor bolt and fork.



Edit:

I'd *STRONGLY* recommend going with the Acewell. It's a name brand, quality device, as compared to the crappy ebay model. The crappy ebay model *can* be made to work (and as I said, I've seen them used) but they're fiddly to set up and come with terrible to useless instructions.

 

I know Polock uses an Acewell but it's very different from what he mentioned.
I have an 83 XJ750 Maxim.
Everything runs great, just stripped off most of the old and bringing it up to date!
I really do want to make that Chinese one work and I can definitely create a write-up for others to use but I may need some assistance!
I swapped out my tank for an 82 Seca tank so it has a fuel gauge now, just need to get it connected.

 

I mean for $30 it’s worth a shot. If you can solder wires and can use a multimeter you can make it work. A lot of the bad reviews on Amazon are from people who expect it to be plug and play. Worst case it doesn’t work or craps out after a year or so and you can either buy a replacement for another $30 or then go to the more expensive option.

 

I'm sure soldering isn't hard, never used a multimeter before but I can learn!
Mainly just need to know what they colored wires are for and I can match accordingly with my bike since I labeled everything pretty well!
I really like how you mounted yours to the handlebar clamps, There's enough space in there to mount a custom bracket!

 

I’m picking up a 4553cp Acewell tachometer next month and I’m planning to use this device to make it work with my fuel sender. (XJ750 tank on an XJ650.) it is a device that converts ohms signals to allow any sender to fit any gauge. I was frustrated with trying to figure this out, although I had read some very helpful posts here on the site, which led me to just ask, “why isn’t there a converter?” So I googled that, and it came up with this. A bit pricy but it claims it should work with the 90-0 Japanese ohms range from that era. Has anyone ever used one of these converters before? I’ll post my results in time.

 

An alternative look at the Susuki GS500 gauge set up there are are 2 different ones one has a mechanical tach and the other has an electrical tach , speedo reads 115 mph .

 

i fail to see the importance of a fuel gauge on a bike with reserve, especially one with a resettable trip odometer
how hard is it to look in the tank

 

I couldn't agree more, k-moe! When my 82 750r is pulling away from r6's (which it does with ease till I am reminded once again, no 6 gear and said r 6 passes me in the big end) at about 6k to 6700 rpm and that powerband is a full time employee, it's literally no-time at all before it's time to double clutch the lever and click her in the next gear and let her eat!!! Even if you could hear it, you couldn't react fast enough to catch it before it takes off and runs away on you. I'd have to stay with tachometer as a vital instrument in prolonging engine life.

just to stay on topic, I personally just ordered a GPS speedo, and I'm deleting Atari after 3 blissful seasons. Im Doing a Tracey customs designs fairing and windscreen from an old 70s cb four and Atari prohibits the desired angle. Anyway, I think the speedo could possibly be for boat application. Here's a mockup of my windshield, with Atari still intact and fully operable.