Cycle computer
Peter A. Bansen
I'm interested in mounting a standard cycle computer (like you'd use on a mountain bike)
on my CR. I've looked at the ICO Autocal odometer, but it's really more sophisticated
than my needs. It's also $150, which buys a lot of two stroke mix.
Depending on the model, a bike computer will show elapsed mileage, time, current speed,
peak speed and even some other stuff (like your heart rate, which could be interesting
at times...). Bike computers cost between $17 and $50 (more with the heart rate
function). The sender unit is the problem: bike hubs are pretty uniform and the magnet
on the wheel has to pass within a couple of millimeters of the sender mounted on the
frame. I'm trying to find a sender/magnet combo that will fit on a dirt bike and won't
get trashed.
The other problem is wheel diameter. The computer has to be programmed for the correct
wheel diameter to be able to calculate an accurate speed and mileage. The O.D. of a
mountain bike tire is about 26.5" - the O.D. of the front tire on my CR is about 28".
I have seen an Avocet cyclocomputer mounted on either a Fantic or Gas Gas trials bike.
It fit right into a little niche in the downtube and looked pretty swell.
Anybody tried this? How did you do it? Did it work? For long?
Yours in penny pinching,
Pete Bansen
Pete Plassman
I used a cheapie cycle computer ($20 at the PX) for three years on my old
XT600 while I was in Europe. I had to replace the batteries every year,
and calibration was a trial and error problem. Other than that, it was
stone reliable. I put it through a lot of fairly rough abuse, and it
never missed a mile.
I mountec the magnet on the brake disc, and used a zip tie to keep the
sensor mounted on the fork tube. I had to lengthen the sensor wires ( I
used computer ribbon cable) and routed it up the front brake hose
protector.
Go for it!
Pete P.
In article <31FE7F...@mail.telis.org>, pba...@mail.telis.org says...
Mike Fahrion
I've done this on my street bike with a Vetta Inovator C100 - about $30
some years ago. I don't think the diameter will give you trouble, you
program that into the computer and it seemed to have a very wide range.
On the street bike I was able to stick the magnet on the wheel and mount
the pickup on the upper & back side of the caliper. On a dirt bike I
think you'd want the type of magnet that clamps to a spoke, but mounting
the pickup to the caliper would probably be good. You really need that
pickup somewhere protected from all the nasty stuff that's getting
kicked up, the back side of the fork/brake seems pretty safe.
On the dirt bike vibration may be a problem, I'm not sure, but I'd
probably try to do a very good job of isolating/mounting the computer
unit. I've had some experience/trouble with an electronic hour meter
where the vibration was causing the crystal to break off, and also
causing the batteries to lose contact momentarily, resetting the unit.
That stuff (if it causes trouble) could probably be solved with some
sort of isolated mounting.
Good Luck
-mike
Rich Wendlandt
Peter A. Bansen wrote:
>
> I'm interested in mounting a standard cycle computer (like you'd use on a mountain bike)
> on my CR. I've looked at the ICO Autocal odometer, but it's really more sophisticated
> than my needs. It's also $150, which buys a lot of two stroke mix.
Following is a snip out of a post a friend pulled of the WEB a couple of months ago,
I put a Veta cycle computer on my XR600 last weekend. Works great so far. Cost about
30$ at the local bike shop. The hardest part was figuring out where/how to mount the
pickup bracket. Ill have to get back to you regarding the durability of it however.
Rich Wendlandt
begin quote.
Roger Brown's XR600 tips (gotta give the guy his due credit...)
..snip
- Toss the stock ODO and drive, replace drive with XR's Only kit (619
948-0979) and install a mountainbike speedo eg: Vetta (light, accurate, and
has functions for enduros) mount the magnet in the plastic hub cover and
run the wire (will need to be extended) up your brake line. Fashon a pickup
bracket from a piece of metal hose-clamped to the fork. Install disk cover
(ie: Acerbis) to protect the speedo pickup (and to let everyone know your
steed is first and foremost a dirt-bike).
.. more snip
end quote
Tom Niemela
Peter,
I've used this setup for about 2 years and it works great. You are
correct - the bicycle pickup unit is too wimpy for your scoot. By and
enduro sensor/pickup through Steahly Off-road Products, White Bros.,
Moose Racing, or Fredette Racing. End of problem and you'll like the
results.
-Tom Niemela
Peter A. Bansen wrote:
>
> I'm interested in mounting a standard cycle computer (like you'd use on a mountain bike)
> on my CR.
ml...@scvnet.com
Mike Fahrion <mfah...@bb-elec.com> wrote:
>I've done this on my street bike with a Vetta Inovator C100 - about $30
>some years ago. I don't think the diameter will give you trouble, you
>program that into the computer and it seemed to have a very wide range.
>
>On the street bike I was able to stick the magnet on the wheel and mount
>the pickup on the upper & back side of the caliper. On a dirt bike I
>think you'd want the type of magnet that clamps to a spoke, but mounting
>the pickup to the caliper would probably be good. You really need that
>pickup somewhere protected from all the nasty stuff that's getting
>kicked up, the back side of the fork/brake seems pretty safe.
I use a Vetta computer on my XR. I made a bent wire mount that goes onto
the rim lock bolt with an extra nut. The sensor clamps under the stock
speedo cable holdown on the fork leg.
The above is not the best setup. The clearance between the magnet and
the sensor is small, so normal flexing of the wheel sometimes whacks the
sensor out of position. I'm going to relocate the magnet to the plastic
disk that covers the area inside the brake disk and fabricate a bracket
for the sensor. The wires will have to be extended, of course.
George
RBurtonRMX
i have a bike odo on my xr 400 use the sensor from ico it works great