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Thread: DIY custom tach/speedo dial for under $20

  1. #1
    Join Date
    25th April 2009 - 17:38
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    DIY custom tach/speedo dial for under $20

    So I had to make a custom tach dial for one of my project bikes, the ease and cheapness at which I did it surprised me

    New dial was printed at Speedy Signs (PN) for $15 (was in with another order so may have been cheaper cos of that).

    Step 1)
    Take apart dial, pry round and round the folded over seam and the cover glass will just pop off. Flick needle onto the other side of its pin stop at 0 and mark where it rests (you need to put it back to the same place to set the spring preload correctly), Pry needle off (a fork works well). Unscrew and remove current faceplate.

    Step 2)
    Measure plate and draw up new version, did mine in vector format as thats what the signage places like. New format is just a black overlay to mask the light. Remember to mark holes for the screws and needle as the signage place can cut these out.

    Step 3)
    Sand faceplate back to clear plastic, I went down to a 2000grit but it doesnt have to be too great as it just has to allow light through it.

    Step 4)
    Stick new overlay onto the now blank dial (get it right cos you only get one shot :P) to get the colors for different digits or whatever, find some transparent vinyl and stick it on the back of the faceplate, don't have to worry about cutting them too accurately as the masking layer takes care of that.

    Step 5)
    Reassemble!

    I'm kinda at step 6 with mine as the blue transparent vinyl I got wasn't transparent enough with the standard lighting so I've ditched the blue transparency and will just replace the standard lights with blue LEDs (I don't need no stinking redline btw )
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    "A shark on whiskey is mighty risky, but a shark on beer is a beer engineer" - Tad Ghostal

  2. #2
    Join Date
    5th February 2008 - 13:07
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    350 Amps? I don't get it.

    Good idea though.

    Steve
    "I am a licenced motorcycle instructor, I agree with dangerousbastard, no point in repeating what he said."
    "read what Steve says. He's right."
    "What Steve said pretty much summed it up."
    "I did axactly as you said and it worked...!!"
    "Wow, Great advise there DB."
    WTB: Hyosung bikes or going or not.

  3. #3
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    25th April 2009 - 17:38
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    Quote Originally Posted by DangerousBastard View Post
    350 Amps? I don't get it.

    Good idea though.

    Steve
    heres a clue, it's 350 Amps at 36V , with plans to go up to 60V
    "A shark on whiskey is mighty risky, but a shark on beer is a beer engineer" - Tad Ghostal

  4. #4
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    5th February 2008 - 13:07
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    Ahhhhh I get it. I remember one of your previous threads. Good fun! 28HP!


    Steve
    "I am a licenced motorcycle instructor, I agree with dangerousbastard, no point in repeating what he said."
    "read what Steve says. He's right."
    "What Steve said pretty much summed it up."
    "I did axactly as you said and it worked...!!"
    "Wow, Great advise there DB."
    WTB: Hyosung bikes or going or not.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    25th April 2009 - 17:38
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    got the blue led's in it now, 5 wide angle led's in a bit of clear plastic tubing with white tape over the bits of tube with the emmiter so it glows rather than a bunch of point lights. Tubing arranged in a circle round the outside to show numbers good.

    Its looking as good as I wanted so all ready for the install
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    "A shark on whiskey is mighty risky, but a shark on beer is a beer engineer" - Tad Ghostal

  6. #6
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    14th July 2006 - 21:39
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    Nice job. The 'night' shot looks great.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    25th April 2009 - 17:38
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    Quote Originally Posted by AllanB View Post
    Nice job. The 'night' shot looks great.
    always gonna look like that, as there is no text coloring so the led's are hardwired on whenever the bike is, but yeh, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out
    "A shark on whiskey is mighty risky, but a shark on beer is a beer engineer" - Tad Ghostal

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