Yellow Box

[matthewt]

Has anyone locally installed the "Yellow Box" which is from Black Robotics in Oz and is used to correct the speedo after gearing changes ??

I've found various guides and how-to's on the web but wondered if anyone had actually installed one here.

Since I changed the gearing on the MV it reads about 17% high. This makes it a little tricky at times trying to figure out how fast I'm actually going. I don't mind the math involved but it takes a few seconds to crunch the numbers which would be better spent concentrating on the job at hand.

[matthewt]

I suppose my key bit of math now goes something like "140 + 17% = walk home!!"

[merv]

I suppose my key bit of math now goes something like "140 + 17% = walk home!!"

Yeah bugger you might as well pull three of the spark plug leads off and run just on one.

[Hitcher]

This approach seems to have some flaws. Firstly an MV is Italian and, if it works in the first place, the speedo is probably ambitious by about 17% already. Rather than buy some allegedly high tech kit, a cheaper solution would be to bend the needle on the speedo.

Some sort of fast track remedy, in light of today's news about instant licence loss for speeds 40kmh over the posted limit, should be recommended.

[jrandom]

Well folks, what we all really need is a decent weather-proof GPS unit designed for road bikes. Solves the accurate speedo problem. Pity that nobody makes them.

Suppose you *could* use one of the ruggedised Garmin handhelds, I'm not sure how visible the display would be in sunlight etc at speed when you need to see it easily. I've heard a few stories from the UK/USA of guys mounting StreetPilot units and wotnot on Goldwings etc with some sort of kludged-up waterproofing.

Any ideas on what we *would* want in a bike GPS?

[matthewt]

This approach seems to have some flaws. Firstly an MV is Italian and, if it works in the first place, the speedo is probably ambitious by about 17% already. Rather than buy some allegedly high tech kit, a cheaper solution would be to bend the needle on the speedo.

Bend the speedo needle ?? your kidding right ??

Actually the MV doesn't have a speedo needle just an LCD dash which I don't think will bend very well, I could get a hammer and chisel if you think that will help ??

A few other MV riders, and countless other riders, have used these yellow boxes to good effect. The speedo was out by around 8% originally and now by 17%.

Check it out yourself if you want to www.blackrobotics.com

[wkid_one]

Get the HUD on the other thread - it will throw the speed on your visor - no need to look at the speedo.

On a more realistic note - I know somone who did it on a GSXR and it seemed to work. He is down in CHCH now - I will email him for you

[mccool]

Hello MatthewT
I've got a Yellow Box on the VTR and it works very well. Its a groovy little item. There is a certain feeling of security knowing the speedo is zackly right. I reckon there are a lot of speedos that exagerate cos a lot of people drive sub 50kph.

I decided not to hack into the wiring harness to splice the wires in as instructed by Black Robotics. I made up a small accessory harness with snap connectors that fits into the speed sensor-to-speedo circuit. That means I can remove the Yellow Box without leaving gaping wounds in the wiring. The snap connectors are $1.50 at Dick Smith. You have to know how to solder. If you would like the details let me know.

My previous lo tech solution was marks with Twink on the speedo glass - one where 100kph should be, one where 120 should be. Effective but tacky.

Seeya
Larry

[matthewt]

Hello MatthewT
I decided not to hack into the wiring harness

Hi Larry, I've gone the same way with the wiring, MV spent a lot of money on AMP connectors and so on so I decided to order the same couplings in so I can plug the box in rather than hack into the wiring.

The box should ship today so once the connectors come in I'll start putting it all together. An MV owner from Texas has written up a nice how-to guide so I should be right.

Cheers,
Matt.