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Spada 1000, New Instruments

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Omobono View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Omobono Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Spada 1000, New Instruments
    Posted: 22 Jun 2017 at 17:25
Dear all,
 
I am now thinking of substituting my Eighties-style, "Miami Vice" instrument panel with something both working and aesthetically pleasing.
 
I would like to have some ideas on how to proceed. The fairing will stay so keep this in mind. Also, I would like to have enough space to put the RAM mount of the satnav above the instrument panel, front and central to make it more readable, a bit BMW RT1200-style (love how easily readable it is).
 
I would like old-style, round instrument(s), around which an aluminium frame would be custom made to keep the thing in place and be, I would say, as little obtrusive as possible. I would like to have all the functionalities I have now (speed, rpm, time, voltmeter, gauges) but with good or very good quality instruments. I prefer a white or cream dial but it does not have to be. It would have to be electronic for precision and reliability.
 
First stop would be the one of the California 1400
 
 

 

I have no idea what difficulties it would create but I love the look and I might be able to keep the eagle on ignition (unless it comes directly from Guzzi's ECU).
 
If this does not have the voltmeter I could add a second, smaller circular instrument.
 
A second option would be a setup found in modern Guzzis like the V7 III, which I find classically beautiful. Again, I could add the voltmeter on the side. However, it does not have to be instrument with the Guzzi eagle though I have a preference for those.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remaining in the Guzzi world, I loved the white instruments of the first V11. However I was told they wer enot good at keeping water out, which is why they were replaced with the black ones from 2002
 
 
 
 
I am grateful for any suggestion, both from Moto Guzzi and from elsewhere. There must be a lot of specialists out there who produce beautifully classical instruments for custom bikes.
 
Thanks
 
Omobono
 
 
 
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Barry View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Barry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2017 at 17:37
A couple of commonly used examples spring immediately to mind:

http://www.acewell-meter.co.uk/

https://motogadget.com/shop/en/analog-gauges.html

There is some experience on this forum about the 'adapters' needed to run some types of these speedos. Perhaps someone with a better memory than I will turn up and point you at the appropriate thread(s).

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italianmotor View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote italianmotor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2017 at 18:22
You could put chrome bezels on the original clocks then mount them in a nice neat ally bracket. My mate has done this on his S3 and they look very smart.
Guzzi lover doing my own thing: http://www.italianmotormagazine.com
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Ken-Guzzibear View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ken-Guzzibear Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2017 at 19:21
look at ETB instruments as they make them up get the eagle made by a vinyl place like "vision on vinyl" get them to add they make white or black face and for 330 ish can even do the pinstripes .... the sender for the speedo can be got from digital speedos it screws into the gearbox as per the cable turns sable feed to digital ....Graham at ETB is very approachable I looked and are the best option for aftermarket .... as many others are more for a car dash not water tight .... etb do cover other makes I also liked the Smiths range but the way you can customise their ones sold it to me I looked for aaaages
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Omobono View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Omobono Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 2017 at 16:33
Thanks to all,
 
I have thought about keeping the old instruments but I would like more reliability, I have broken several cables on this and the other bike and the speedometer oscillates a lot in acceleration. I might still do it because the instruments aren't bad, but it would be an "all analogue" solution.
 
ETB is very interesting and they make beautiful instruments. I have written to them asking about waterproof and they answered "the front side is waterproof, but the rear side is not. You would need to protect the rear side from water ingress". Is this normal? How does one normally do it? I would possibly have the instruments encased in a beautiful chromed or aluminium case. I love those instruments a lot as they do allow an amount of customisation (even with Guzzi eagle).  
 
Then there would be this one from a company called Koso. This one is pretty much an all in one, though I don't understand how the voltmeter works...  
 
 
Finally, I wonder whether one could waterproof these beauties:
 
 
I wouldn't mind the 100mm dimensions at all.
 
If anyone has more suggestions, keep them coming!
 
Also whom would you contact to have the price of the original Guzzi instruments as in the first post? If I write to Guzzi they will reply by Christmas I am afraid...  
 
Thanks to all
 
O
 
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Brian UK View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 2017 at 17:34
It sounds to me that you haven't got the optimum run for the speedo cable. Any sharp bends, or tightly tied to the frame will cause the cable to break, and make the speedo oscillate.
Brian.

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Omobono View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Omobono Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2017 at 14:07
Hi Brian, yes but this seems to be a common problem with SPs? The SP 2 I have in Germany had exactly the same issue several times and I was told "oh, they just do that a lot", I suppose there isn't much space and it's easy to botch the cable and have them break in time. However what I would like is a solution that avoid such issues in the first place, for example with one of those sensors that make do without cables that bicycles use.  

As I improve on the bike I would like to keep thing as reliable as future proof as possible, hence electronic instruments and if possible no cables (rather those systems like the bicycles with the sensors). 
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Barry View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Barry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2017 at 17:02
Not a common problem on my Spada. Buy the right length cable for your machine - noting that the ones sold for multiple 850/1000 models are not *necessarily* the right length for your machine (are the instruments in the same place as original, for example?).  Thread the cable the correct way, or, at least, optimally - as per Brian's advice.

If you're seeing 'oscillating' at the needle, then something is not right - either at speedo end, drive end, or in the run. Or possibly in the instrument itself - in which case, you might consider servicing to be another option - and the people who service instruments will generally be capable of putting on a new, white face, if you ask them. And new bezels, if yours aren't nice.

If your reasons for seeking out alternate instruments are because your current instruments are not working 100% correctly, then you're likely to be throwing good money after bad. Find the problem, fix the problem!

On the other hand, someone will be more than happy to buy your used Veglias off you.   (o;

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2017 at 17:02
You can use the bicycle ones, but they won't look much. They work off a magnet on the wheel and a pickup on the forks. Works the speed from the wheel speed. You have to enter the wheel size.
Better electronic ones work from a sender which goes into the cable outlet on the gearbox, but only have wires from there to the speedo head.
Brian.

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Omobono View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Omobono Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 2017 at 07:25
Thanks again, a couple of clarifications: 

1) I want new instruments because I want better optics, the fact that the cable isn't installed properly is secondary to that. White or Magnolia instruments would be my choice, failing that, black. Yes I could live with the blue ones but I don't have to. Keeping the old instruments is not the first option. Give me the colour I want with a better looking dial, reliability and waterproofing and I am a happy bunny. The eagle and Moto Guzzi on the dial would be the icing on the cake, but only if I am fully at ease concerning quality and waterproofing.    

2) I do not want to install the instrument one finds on a bicycle. What I meant is that I thought it might be possible to minimise cables by having the rotation of the wheel measured by a wireless sensor. I think Brian UK was meaning that but just to be sure. 

At the moment my most pressing need is to know how the ETB instruments are made waterproof by their clients. As you read above, ETB answered my email with the following: 

"the front side is waterproof, but the rear side is not. You would need to protect the rear side from water ingress"

Smiths make beautiful motorcycle instrument waterproof to IP67 (very high standard) so I need to know what I can do with ETB. 

Thanks 

O


Edited by Omobono - 25 Jun 2017 at 07:32
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red leader one View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote red leader one Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 2017 at 10:41
Why don't ETB water proof the rear of their instruments?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ken-Guzzibear Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 2017 at 11:02
I would think some silicon would seal the glass
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jerry atric Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 2017 at 14:03
I thought the needle oscillation was just a fault with all Vague liar clocks. All mine have done it even when new back in the day. I never linked it to damaged cables.
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