Aftermarket guages solutions

[sooprvylyn]

I am starting a thread so I can begin to aggregate various information and options for builders wishing to use aftermarket guages.  As many know there are some challenges to fit the following functions to K-Bikes:

Speedometer using OEM sensor

Tachometer readings

Gear Selector Indicators, especially Neutral

As I gather resources, I will post them in here for posterity.  I am waiting on a few more that I should be able to add in the coming days.

User RBM has helped with this in the past, and he may still be helping with this.  At my last interaction with him he had hit a roadblock with working out his new circuitboards.  I am unaware whether he has resolved these issues, but he might be worth reaching out to.  He has had a solution for all of the above in the past with circuitboards that he sold/sells. 

[sooprvylyn]

There is a gentleman, I believe out of poland, that is currently selling a customized gear position sensor that he claims works with aftermarket guages.  Here is the post he made on FB with some info:

BMW K100/K75 Gear Shift Sensor
Works directly with accessory meters,
NO NEED FOR GEAR CONVERTERS!
5 GEARS + NEUTRAL | 6 electrical wires +GND
Waterproof. Oil-resistant made of durable polymer
This is my own design.
PLUG and PLAY sensor with accessory meters!!!!
45€/49$ + Shipping ( to the World Wide 9€/10$ )
I invite interested parties to DM.

His email is: perunmotorcycles@gmail.com
His instagram handle is: perunmotorcycles

His name is Paweł Klimek


He claims to also be working on circuits for Tach and Speedo.  I will update once I have that info.

[sooprvylyn]

Someone named Rezone kindly posted a 3d file to thingiverse to allow users to 3d print an adapter for the oem speed sensor port on the final drive that will accept an aftermarket speed sensor.  I believe this one is set up to use the motogadget speed sensor.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4867837

I have also attached the zip file here in case the file disappears from thingiverse.

[sooprvylyn]

Speed Sensor:

A friend on Facebook who is an electrical engineer turned me on to this device as a solution to use the oem speed sensor with an aftermarket guage:

https://sirhclabs.com/product/cortex-ebc-speed-sensor-adapter/


He says this device will condition and amplify the oem speed sensor signal so that aftermarket guages can read it.  I have not tested it myself, but this guy has worked with BSK speedworks to help them design some of their aftermarket parts so I trust he knows what he is talking about.  This is the device he used for his own build.

[frankenduck]

If you just want to be able to start in neutral and illuminate a green LED then you can DIY it like this for only about $5. I built one of these for Larry Romestant to use in one of his Special K bikes where he put all of the instruments in the head light and just wanted a green light for neutral and the ability to start in neutral.








Click here:  Emulate GPI Switch Start In Neutral

[sooprvylyn]

Awesome, thanks Frankenduck

[lewisnort]

Someone named Rezone kindly posted a 3d file to thingiverse to allow users to 3d print an adapter for the oem speed sensor port on the final drive that will accept an aftermarket speed sensor.  I believe this one is set up to use the motogadget speed sensor.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4867837

I have also attached the zip file here in case the file disappears from thingiverse.

Are there any other modifications needed for this motogadget one to work do you know, or is it literally plug and play? I'm not very knowledgeable on speedos but from my recollection (I planned on fitting an aftermarket gps system with my motogadget chrono dash) the speedo cable comes with little magnets. This looks like a better option assuming I can get a grasp of what's needed to be done.

I wouldn't want to mess with the final drive too much and had planned on blanking it off.

[sooprvylyn]

I haven't yet tested it, but my understanding is that the oem system is also magnetic. I'd imagine it's pretty plug and play, tho might need some slight tweaking of the depth you set the sensor at to allow it to pick up the magnetic fields.  I'm pretty sure the oem is a 6 impulse signal too, so you'd have to adjust the settings in your motoscope.

I'm waiting on some access to a 3d printer to test it myself. Hopefully within the week.

[Laitch]

I'm pretty sure the oem is a 6 impulse signal too, so you'd have to adjust the settings in your motoscope.

Pretty sure registers low on the Confidence Scale.

[frankenduck]

Pretty sure registers low on the Confidence Scale.

"Pretty sure" is 100% correct in this case. The speedo sensor does operate at 6 cycles per wheel rotation.

[Laitch]

The speedo sensor does operate at 6 cycles per wheel rotation.

You have just given an example of what "Sure" looks like. That's useful! 

[sooprvylyn]

So glad you guys are here to enlighten :P

Can you enlighten as to whether the OEM sensor does use magnets that are in the final drive for its speed readings?

[frankenduck]

I'm pretty sure that it uses an inductive coil:

https://youtu.be/MEpZRcPZGxM?t=72

[sooprvylyn]

Ok, then the standard motogadget Reed sensor won't work with the 3d print adapter. Motoscope will work with inductive proximity sensors(npn type), and they do sell a motogadget one. They're also pretty cheap to source on  amazon.  Easy fix.

[Laitch]

So glad you guys are here to enlighten :P

I'm pretty sure it's all part of the Motobrick.com benefits package. 

[sooprvylyn]

I actually expect nothing less by now.

[rbm]

I'm pretty sure that it uses an inductive coil:

https://youtu.be/MEpZRcPZGxM?t=72

The Wayback machine archived Flying Brick's page about the technology of the K-bike, including the speed sensor.
https://web.archive.org/web/20210325134118/https://www.flyingbrick.de/index.php?custom-page/11/

[Kaos]

Yes the m8 motogadget sensor works, its the same principle as the oem sensor.
Also the sensor from Daytona works damn well if you put a (comes in the package) magnet in one of the holes from a disc brake.
Source: me. Ive tried both and went back to the oem. Why? Finish and all work equally well.
The thing is mostly cauges/indicators that need some tinkering as almost all (digital) aftermarket speedometers can be set to work with either tire size (like the acewell) or set based on a continuous speed.
The more annoying ones are the rpm -fixable with noise reduction - and i do believe there are several options for gear indicators like the Axel Joost products. Personally i dont mind having an off - on light, I either know its in neutral or an even number gear. But then when learning to ride, i did so on a bike with no gear indicator and was told: "look young man, its all about becoming one with your bike, it will let you know when it disagrees with you" - old bald man with a firemans mustache.
And maybe somewhere the list comes in handy, but forum discussions are fun too. Leave some for our and the imagination of the younglings. :D

[lewisnort]

Yes the m8 motogadget sensor works, its the same principle as the oem sensor.

How did you have the motogadget sensor mounted? Like in the print file?
Was it the induction sensor then?

[Kaos]

Its the inductive sensor with neg/ground.
The the thread size is m5, i have to correct myself there.
And mounting is indeed as shown on the website/file/foto (i hope we saw the same foto)
Because motogadget provides 3 sensors, m8 red wire enhanced, m5 pulse with magnet - black cable (also works but then you ll have to glue a magnet in the final drive. And the m5 (grey) inductive.
Using the later requires you to check your speedo if it can handle it.
But my advice will always be: stick with the oem sensor.
Switching to another sensor changes nothing and the finish of the oem sensor is still the best looking. Unless you want to go with fancy smancy colours.
So far Ive used a Daytona speedo, motoscope tiny and a acewell and all work fine with the oem.
Some require some more work than the others to calibrate. But you ll always end up calibrating.
Setting the correct speed was in my opinion the easiest on the acewell.
The motogadget sensors themselves work like gold on external pulse placements, but like i stated. There is really no need for that.