First time install Speedometer KZ650

A

andreas_boman@hotmail.com

Been Around the Block
Hi guys,

Just started with my KZ650 -81 and wonder if there might be any issues when changing speedometer/techometer on the bike. Do I need new mounts, are there usually any problems when changing etc.?
 
It might help to post a photo/details of what you have now, and what you want to change it to.

Anything can be done, just some things are easier.

Does your existing item work, or are you changing because of cosmetics? Do you want the new one to be smaller, different colour, change from mph to km, do you want digital, etc

Basically the more info you can provide them more people can help you.
 
ako said:
It might help to post a photo/details of what you have now, and what you want to change it to.

Anything can be done, just some things are easier.

Does your existing item work, or are you changing because of cosmetics? Do you want the new one to be smaller, different colour, change from mph to km, do you want digital, etc

Basically the more info you can provide them more people can help you.
Click to expand...

Indeed, sorry for the lack of info.

The picture below is of how it looks now, and the second pic is how one of the bad boys I'm planning to put there instead. Don't have any good pictures yet of the mounts for the speedo. I'm trying to find info. for a regular z650.

The item works but I'm changing it to be smaller, look better. I don't like digital since I still want a older look, but not as old as now..

What I'm planning to have is one speedometer 2,5* and the same size techometer to the right. In the speedometer it would be nice to have oil, signals etc. so all is there.
 

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  • Speedo.jpg
    Speedo.jpg
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It appears the speedo you posted includes a tab to mount it. That can be bolted to your triple clamp mount. Same for the tachometer on the othe side.

The ignition key can be mounted on a small tab as well. It would be a matter of getting some aluminium sheet and cutting drilling, filing to shape.

Many people like to move the key to a position under the tank or seat for a 'cleaner' look on the bars. Something to consider.

I would say your current speedo tachometer are mechanically (cable) driven. It would be easiest to make sure the new models are compatable. You need to check the ratios are he same.

It is possible to change over to electrically activated, but you need to remove the cable drive from the front wheel and add a signal pickup, and a magnet. This means more fabrication work.
 
ABOM said:
Also, how might this work with the ignition key?
Click to expand...

The ignition switch is separate from the gauges - this will become obvious once you take the gauges off.
 
ako said:
It appears the speedo you posted includes a tab to mount it. That can be bolted to your triple clamp mount. Same for the tachometer on the othe side.

The ignition key can be mounted on a small tab as well. It would be a matter of getting some aluminium sheet and cutting drilling, filing to shape.

Many people like to move the key to a position under the tank or seat for a 'cleaner' look on the bars. Something to consider.

I would say your current speedo tachometer are mechanically (cable) driven. It would be easiest to make sure the new models are compatable. You need to check the ratios are he same.

It is possible to change over to electrically activated, but you need to remove the cable drive from the front wheel and add a signal pickup, and a magnet. This means more fabrication work.
Click to expand...

Possible to mount anywhere without that much drilling etc? Have any similar projects where it is possible how it's done since I have no experience? Would be great having the key between the seat and tank!

I guess the speedo tach are cable driven since they're from 81. Easier to still have them manually driven with new speedo's?
Also, any ideas where to find it described when changing to electrically activated? Hard/Very hard? Don't have the clue how to get it to work.
 
hillsy said:
The ignition switch is separate from the gauges - this will become obvious once you take the gauges off.
Click to expand...

Therefore possible to move anywhere due to the possibility of only changing the cables to a better suited place? Just the part of mounting it somewhere would be the hard part?
 
ABOM said:
Mech driven or electric? If electric, how did you change to it, and is it better?
Click to expand...

Ummm. Mechanical. Which is why they give you the twist ratio. It's not rocket science. Get a screwdriver and start unscrewing. Hardest part is the wiring and even that's easy.
 
ABOM said:
Therefore possible to move anywhere due to the possibility of only changing the cables to a better suited place? Just the part of mounting it somewhere would be the hard part?
Click to expand...

Yes - you can move the ignition switch to anywhere you like as long as you can extend the wiring.

Some (probably most) ignition switches have tamper proof screws which need to be drilled out to remove the switch from the top clamp. Not a terribly difficult job, but you'll need to take the clamp off to get drill access.
 
IAMBLAMB said:
Ummm. Mechanical. Which is why they give you the twist ratio. It's not rocket science. Get a screwdriver and start unscrewing. Hardest part is the wiring and even that's easy.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. Have done it with smaller machines before but that was a while ago. Guess just trying will do it.
 
hillsy said:
Yes - you can move the ignition switch to anywhere you like as long as you can extend the wiring.

Some (probably most) ignition switches have tamper proof screws which need to be drilled out to remove the switch from the top clamp. Not a terribly difficult job, but you'll need to take the clamp off to get drill access.
Click to expand...

Ok. What would be the "best" way of mounting it with? Can extend the wiring but guess there will be a slight problem with fitting the ign. somewhere
 
If you're going to run a speedo and tach up front I would probably just leave the ignition switch where it is - the new gauges will probably hide the switch enough not to worry about it. Plus you'll lose your steering lock if you move it.


From memory I used a U bolt to relocate my ignition switch to under the seat on my old fighter - looped it around one of the frame tubes and through the mounting holes on the switch (once you drill out the security screws you are just left with 2 holes which you can bolt up any way you want).
 
Basically there are a couple screws holding the gauges to the middle cluster of indicators for things like blinker indicators, neutral, gear indicators, etc. there is also a bolt holding each gauge onto two holes in the triple tree (if yours is the same as mine, which it looks to be.) The new speedo you have pictured comes with a V shaped mount with two points of contact on the speed and one for the aforementioned mount. You just take the same bolt you pulled off of the old gauge and put it on the new one through the upper triple.

Hope that helped.
 
hillsy said:
If you're going to run a speedo and tach up front I would probably just leave the ignition switch where it is - the new gauges will probably hide the switch enough not to worry about it. Plus you'll lose your steering lock if you move it.


From memory I used a U bolt to relocate my ignition switch to under the seat on my old fighter - looped it around one of the frame tubes and through the mounting holes on the switch (once you drill out the security screws you are just left with 2 holes which you can bolt up any way you want).
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks for the explanation! I'll look into it. Maybe I'll let it stay because of the steering lock. Don't want it to roll away with its "new owner"... Happened before won't happen again.
 
My brother ended up making a bracket to mount his speedo, tach, and ignition to they're stock location.

SpeedoKZ.jpg


Here's his build thread: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=48356.0
 
onetruepunk87 said:
My brother ended up making a bracket to mount his speedo, tach, and ignition to they're stock location.

SpeedoKZ.jpg


Here's his build thread: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=48356.0
Click to expand...

Looks great! Know if he has got any pics of when he made it and in its form itself?
 
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