So I'm replacing the Atari...

Didn't want to, but I realized that fixing the speedometer is going to be more trouble than it's worth. Already ordered gauges from mikesxs.com, thank you everyone here that recommended them, BIG thanks to poprider for the diode idea. But I had some other ideas...

First of all, I was thinking about wiring the HEAD and TAIL warnings into the red light along with Oil, would this work? Would I need more diodes? I figure enough guys here have done LED conversions that someone might have an idea.

Also, I want to keep a gas gauge. Say what you will, I still want one. I was thinking about finding an aftermarket analog gauge made for cars, using the 90 ohm setup I already have, and something that already has a can around it and a mounting point. Anyone seen anything like that around? Ideas?

 

A slightly expensive option is the VDO gauge which will require a resistance match to work. With a bit of ingenuity, you can mate a VDO sending unit to the stock arrangement and go about your business.
Incidently, I happen to like the Atari units off of the 82 750 Max. Would you be interested in selling your old unit?
Thanks,
Robert.

 

Something like this?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VDO-301106/
I'd still have to find a way to mount it. And as Summit Racing has a store right over in Sparks, it would make things easier. As for the old Atari, sure I'd sell it. From what I can tell the slow speedo is the only thing wrong with it.

 

When I replaced my stock square ugly fish-finder looking speedo/tach setup, I just went with an older CB350 Honda speedo,which works perfect (actually more acurate than the stock unit!) I didn't find the need for a tach, so I don't have one (don't reallymiss it either)
I also figured as long as there is still a sending unit for the gas gauge in the tank, I may as well see if I can find a gauge that's not to big that would work with my sending unit. After alot of web searching, I found an automotive gas gauge that works, but works backwards! So I figured all I would need to do is change the face of the gauge from E<...>F to F<...>E and it works!!
The only problem was removing the glass cover to change the face and putting it back together. I had to pry the glass cover off, which bent the chrome ring and kinda screwed it up in the process.
Now after doing more web searching, I seemed to have found an automotive gas gauge that is wired correctly and should work without having to reverse the letters (nice) but have yet to change it so far. It's just good to know there is one out there that works anyway.

 

That is the system that I had in mind. PainterD's suggestion sounds great too. If you were electronicly minded, you could even rig an LED/bar gauge of your own design/construction using the existing input!
Got pics of your gauge set and how much are you looking to get for it?

 

Through further research, it seems that http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VDO-301107/ might actually be the fuel gauge I'm looking for, but I'm going to confirm with a multimeter before I buy either. As far as another digital/LED gauge, I do have the electronics background to build one, but I would prefer an analog needle in this case. Not only would I get a better picture of what my fuel situation is, I think an old bike like this looks better with analog. Here's a pic of the gauges, about 15,600 miles and a slow speedometer but I'm pretty sure the rest works fine. I'm thinking $50+shipping wouldn't be too bad. Let me know what you think.

 

For $25, that is a nice little gauge but I'd be sure to check out the resistance range of the existing sender before I made the investment. I look forward to seeing what you end up with.
Your gauges are in about the same shape as most of the units I have scored, some sun damage and fading. I'll have to think about this a bit, I've got a trip out of town to worry about at the moment and money is a little tight right now. We'll see if they are still around in two weeks.

 

Oh, they will be. I've got nothing else to do with them. And I'll make sure to post an "after" pic, I'm also planning on showing off to my buddies that "my bike has 0 miles!"

 

Bit of an update, I'm doing some electrical work today, and that Atari cluster is going to be...modified a bit. I already chopped off the headlight plug and might chop off some other connectors (soldering inside the headlight bucket sucks). I'm also thinking about not doing a fuel gauge, mainly because I'm struggling to figure out how to mount it. Now I just need for UPS to show up, and I need to finish my oil change.

 

Hey Robert if you are trying to collect atari's I may be able to help you out but it would be quite a few weeks since Army training will be taking up most of my time until the end of May.

 

If you look at my pics I exchanged my fish finder for I believe xj650 gauge which is much more eye appealing but still matches the dated look of the bike. Wiring wasn;t that bad just lots of patience. The tach and speedo match right up as well but unfortunately no gas gauge which I would like to fix for sure but as long as you keep an eye on mileage its no big deal.

 

I actually decided against a fuel gauge. I'm also having issues with the speedo cable, forcing me to mount the speedo crooked, though I may try to get a round headlight and see if that helps.

Plus, the bike is listed as for sale as of right now in the appropriate section of the forums.