I got tired of snapping speedo cables, and wanted a tach so I ordered a Trailtech Vapor. I understand it's not plug and play, so has anyone here installed one of these? Is it as simple as just splicing the right wires together and wiring the tach to the coil? Anyone know what color wire goes to what? I have a 97 M750.
Send a PM to Pepe' (profile (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=5160)). IIRC he installed one on his M750 kinda recently. Again, IIRC, the biggest PITA was getting the tach to work correctly. But he figured it out.
Quote from: Autohag on October 28, 2010, 12:57:50 PM
Send a PM to Pepe' (profile (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=5160)). IIRC he installed one on his M750 kinda recently. Again, IIRC, the biggest PITA was getting the tach to work correctly. But he figured it out.
From my searching, I think I need to get some sort of special cable from Trailtech for the tach. A shielded one or something.
Thanks, gonna PM him now!
Try this guy too. He has them on his bike. He and I were talking a little while back because I wanted to get the trail tech gauges too. Seems to know a lot about them and he has pics.
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1818 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1818)
Good luck!
Hi Mike, got your PM. From memory I can tell you that the tach has two wires: red (-> Coil) and black (-> Ground - mine goes to the frame).
In my case the tach wire came bundled and all I needed to do was to run it to one of the coils.
There is nothing special with the wire (I don't think it is shielded) the only true requirement I noticed was a 600k ohm resistor inline. I just dug through my emails and found the one from tech support at trail tech.
The RadioShack nearest me didn't have a 600k so I either put in a 470k or a 1M (can't remember). I have to say I'm very satisfied with the Vapor, so far it's been reliable and useful. Except for (there had to be an exception ;)) the ambient temperature sensor that reads high.
Quote from: Pepe' on October 28, 2010, 01:31:58 PM
Hi Mike, got your PM. From memory I can tell you that the tach has two wires: red (-> Coil) and black (-> Ground - mine goes to the frame).
In my case the tach wire came bundled and all I needed to do was to run it to one of the coils.
There is nothing special with the wire (I don't think it is shielded) the only true requirement I noticed was a 600k ohm resistor inline. I just dug through my emails and found the one from tech support at trail tech.
The RadioShack nearest me didn't have a 600k so I either put in a 470k or a 1M (can't remember). I have to say I'm very satisfied with the Vapor, so far it's been reliable and useful. Except for (there had to be an exception ;)) the ambient temperature sensor that reads high.
Did you get the optional dash with yours?
Did you use the magnetic bolt or did you epoxy the magnet onto the rotor? It doesn't look like that I can use the bolt on mine.
Quote from: Mike Qube on October 29, 2010, 04:46:17 AM
Did you get the optional dash with yours?
Nope, I'm a cheap bastard. Aluminum sheet + dremel and I made my own. Bought some LEDs from RadioShack and I have turn signals, neutral and high beam.
Quote from: Mike Qube on October 29, 2010, 04:58:02 AM
Did you use the magnetic bolt or did you epoxy the magnet onto the rotor? It doesn't look like that I can use the bolt on mine.
I used the bolt on the left front disk, no problem whatsoever. I ran both tachs together for some time just to make sure the vapor was reliable, and it's actually better than the stock one.
Question: where did you get your vapor from? I got mine on eBay (Yamaha Raptor 660 version).
Quote from: Pepe' on October 29, 2010, 05:23:36 AM
Nope, I'm a cheap bastard. Aluminum sheet + dremel and I made my own. Bought some LEDs from RadioShack and I have turn signals, neutral and high beam.
I used the bolt on the left front disk, no problem whatsoever. I ran both tachs together for some time just to make sure the vapor was reliable, and it's actually better than the stock one.
Question: where did you get your vapor from? I got mine on eBay (Yamaha Raptor 660 version).
I got mine from motorcycle superstore. It came to like $140 with the dash part.
This may be a stupid question, but how do you get the stock bolt out of the disc to replace it? Mine dont look like they can be taken out.
Quote from: Mike Qube on October 29, 2010, 06:57:37 AM
I got mine from motorcycle superstore. It came to like $140 with the dash part.
Then it should come with all the wires you need. I'll post the resistance needed when I get home.
Quote from: Mike Qube on October 29, 2010, 06:57:37 AM
This may be a stupid question, but how do you get the stock bolt out of the disc to replace it? Mine dont look like they can be taken out.
Standard allen head. Those bolts are very tight, I used a socket wrench with an allen head tip. A torque wrench would be good to have as well.
(http://roadskater.net/system/files/images/socket-wrench-with-4mm-hex-bit-socket.jpg)
Quote from: Pepe' on October 29, 2010, 07:13:26 AM
Then it should come with all the wires you need. I'll post the resistance needed when I get home.
Standard allen head. Those bolts are very tight, I used a socket wrench with an allen head tip. A torque wrench would be good to have as well.
(http://roadskater.net/system/files/images/socket-wrench-with-4mm-hex-bit-socket.jpg)
For some reason I don't think it's an allen head on mine. I'm gonna have to go double-check at lunch.
These aren't the best pics, but they're the only ones I have right now.
The black wire running over the brake caliper is the tach signal. I made a little aluminum bracket that holds the sensor right over the bolt.
(http://www.codeherrings.com/images/moto/ducati/m750/old_front_fairing_side.jpg)
Found the part number for the screw: 771.5.721.2B (should be the same for most bikes).
Quote from: Pepe' on October 29, 2010, 07:44:49 AM
These aren't the best pics, but they're the only ones I have right now.
The black wire running over the brake caliper is the tach signal. I made a little aluminum bracket that holds the sensor right over the bolt.
(http://www.codeherrings.com/images/moto/ducati/m750/old_front_fairing_side.jpg)
Found the part number for the screw: 771.5.721.2B (should be the same for most bikes).
Did you use the bolt on the one closest to the center of the wheel? Or the ones up by where the brake touches the disc?
This is a better photo, hope this helps.
There are 6 bolts holding the brake disk to the wheel. They are the ones closest to the center of the disk. I replaced one of those with the magnetic bolt provided.
(http://www.bestdesignever.com/ducati/forks/IMG_0628.jpg)
Quote from: Pepe' on October 29, 2010, 08:13:16 AM
This is a better photo, hope this helps.
There are 6 bolts holding the brake disk to the wheel. They are the ones closest to the center of the disk. I replaced one of those with the magnetic bolt provided.
(http://www.bestdesignever.com/ducati/forks/IMG_0628.jpg)
That makes more sense now. I was looking at the ones towards the outside.
I like your method of suspending your bike with the ladder. I'm gonna have to try that next time I raise mine. When I did my pre-load adjustment I attached the ratchet straps to the beams in my shed. I started getting worried that the shed was gonna come down on me.
Quote from: Mike Qube on October 29, 2010, 10:29:36 AM
That makes more sense now. I was looking at the ones towards the outside.
Do you mean the buttons on the disk, or the bolts that hold the caliper to the forks?
Quote from: Mike Qube on October 29, 2010, 10:29:36 AM
I like your method of suspending your bike with the ladder. I'm gonna have to try that next time I raise mine.
That's not me, the photo is from Michael's tutorial on how to change the fork springs.
Quote from: Pepe' on October 29, 2010, 11:06:21 AM
Do you mean the buttons on the disk, or the bolts that hold the caliper to the forks?
That's not me, the photo is from Michael's tutorial on how to change the fork springs.
The buttons on the disk.
I got the Vapor installed this weekend. The tach was acting wacky until I installed the resistor, now it seems fine. The hardest part of the install was getting it mounted. The bracket it came with didn't line up with the screw holes in the front of my top triple. I drilled a couple of holes and it went in, then when I went to attach the unit to the bracket, it would not go. The clutch and brake lines were in the way. I ended up finding some little hollow aluminum blocks at home depot in the electrical section that I put in between the bracket and top triple, they brought it out about an inch and that was enough to clear it.
(http://mb-imaging.net/ducati/speedo.JPG)
I bought the dash unit with the warning lights. Right now, It's pretty much useless. They sent 4 LED lights to swap out with the stock lights and three of them were broken. The one that was working is not all that bright. The other 3 that are the standard bulbs, cant be seen at all during the daylight. I have my directionals on the standard bulbs and it looks like the bulb isn't even blinking. I'm going to call today and see if they can send more LED's.
The speedometer sensor was a little tricky to mount. The bolt with the magnet was a different size that the stock bolts, so I used some epoxy and got the little magnet on there. I couldn't figure out how to get the sensor cable mounted, so back to home depot I went, not knowing what I was looking for. I ended up finding a chunk of metal in the shelving section that was about 4" x 1". It had some holes in the that I knew wouldn't line up, but I have a drill so that issue took care of itself. drilled some holes, painted it black, mounted it up and called it a day.
(http://mb-imaging.net/ducati/bracket.JPG)
The programming was pretty easy. The one issue I have right now with it is the ambient temp seems to be off by about 10 degrees while the bike is on. It only seems to be accurate when the bike has been off for a few hours. When I set the lights up, there wasn't enough for everything that was on the stock panel, so I couldnt bring everything over. One of the sacrifices was the kickstand light. After a couple of rides without it, I decided I need one. So, Instead of taking everything apart I went to Radio Shack to see what they had and I found a red light unit made for a panel. A couple of spices and zip-ties later, I now have a big ass kickstand warning light that cost a total of $1.29 in parts.
All in all, I think the Vapor was worth it, the warning light panel, not so much.
The only thing my street fighter headlight is good for is to provide enough shade to the LEDs to make them visible ;)
You could put the bracket on eBay and make one out of aluminum sheet and decent LEDs from the Shack. Works much better IMHO.
I think the problem with the ambient temperature sensor is that it's affected by the internal LEDs [bang]
Quote from: Pepe' on November 01, 2010, 07:42:15 AM
The only thing my street fighter headlight is good for is to provide enough shade to the LEDs to make them visible ;)
You could put the bracket on eBay and make one out of aluminum sheet and decent LEDs from the Shack. Works much better IMHO.
I think the problem with the ambient temperature sensor is that it's affected by the internal LEDs [bang]
I just ordered a windscreen from monsterparts, so hopefully that may give it some shade. If not, to ebay it goes. I decided I need one now with the Vapor. Its tiny compared to my stock unit and the front looks too open now.
That makes sense about the sensor, they probably put it right next to a light.
push the indicator lights ALL the way up into the housing so the bulb is right against the plastic pieces you can swap out. You'll be able to see it enough then. For me anyways.
Hey I have wanted to do this for some time now...
One question: everythig plug and play for you? Anything wire soldering or anythig like that?
Thanks
Quote from: seanster on February 04, 2012, 01:16:57 PM
Hey I have wanted to do this for some time now...
One question: everythig plug and play for you? Anything wire soldering or anythig like that?
Thanks
Is this just for the Vapor or for both the Vapor and the housing?
I needed to weld a resistor on the RPM wire to keep it from jumping too much.
Also, I did not buy the housing so I got some LEDs from RadioShack and welded them to the wires for neutral, high beam, etc... on an aluminium bracket I made.
Damn, I was planning on putting one of these on my Raptor. Wonder how easy it would be to make this hot-swap-able for my M750.
Quote from: pslinux on February 10, 2012, 06:25:20 AM
Damn, I was planning on putting one of these on my Raptor. Wonder how easy it would be to make this hot-swap-able for my M750.
It's do-able, but not sure it's worth the time and money.
You can somewhat easily move the "computer" bit from the quad to the bike. But the wiring will need to stay, so you'll need two sets -- a trailtech vapor kit typically comes complete with one set of wires, so you'll need to buy another (about $20-30).
You will also need to change the settings: tire size and # of engine cylinders (not a big deal tho) for the Raptor (liquid cooled, single cylinder quad, right?) and for the monster.
Quote from: The Mad King Pepe' on February 04, 2012, 02:21:52 PM
Is this just for the Vapor or for both the Vapor and the housing?
I needed to weld a resistor on the RPM wire to keep it from jumping too much.
Also, I did not buy the housing so I got some LEDs from RadioShack and welded them to the wires for neutral, high beam, etc... on an aluminium bracket I made.
From what I understand that the Vapor need two things right...the speedometer and the tachnometer.
And the housing I can just use the stock wiring harness...or weld new LEDs to the end of the hardness (where the old bulbs are) for it to be brighter/better right?
Also do you have a picture of the housing you made and maybe snap some of the overall installment?
thanks, Sean.
This write up is pretty badass, take a look.
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44219.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44219.0)
Quote from: seanster on February 10, 2012, 08:58:17 AM
From what I understand that the Vapor need two things right...the speedometer and the tachnometer.
The tach wires need an in-line resistance to keep from jumping all over, and you also need a wire to your battery (the internal battery doesn't last
that long).
Quote from: seanster on February 10, 2012, 08:58:17 AM
And the housing I can just use the stock wiring harness...or weld new LEDs to the end of the hardness (where the old bulbs are) for it to be brighter/better right?
Not sure what you're saying.
Quote from: seanster on February 10, 2012, 08:58:17 AM
Also do you have a picture of the housing you made and maybe snap some of the overall installment?
thanks, Sean.
Plenty of pics, just need to find them. In the meanwhile, check out Artful's thread in Tutorials: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44219.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44219.0)
I didn't make a housing, I cut and bent a sheet of aluminium (about 3mm thick), and bolted (3x M5 or M4 screws) onto the top triple. Two holes in the sheet to mount the Vapor and four holes for the LEDs (left, right, neutral, high beam).
I read that thread from Artful...Kinda scare of all the soldering he has to do for the connector there. I don't mind doing a bit but too much will get to me and I will mess it up bad.
I guess what my question was...going from the stock gauge, What I need to do to make everything works (speedo, tach, lights)
I understood that part about speedo with the magnetic bolt at the wheel.
Tach with the resistance and wire to battery. Any instruction on this one?
The lights wirings scare me the most though. I know that the stock gauge has this one big round connector go to it...assuming all the pins are for something right (left right, neutral, high beam).
Sorry if i'm too confusing.
Not all the pins are used/necessary. You can even go without them if you want...
Is your stock gauge in working condition? If it's a broken POS you can cut the wires between the connector and the gauges and wire those into the LEDs.
For the tach you need a resistor in-line (along the wire). I believe it needs to be at least 600K Ohm.
Edit: pics here http://www.raptorforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2616 (http://www.raptorforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2616) (first post) show the tach lead (+) that needs to have a resistor wired inline.
Quote from: seanster on February 10, 2012, 10:06:37 AM
I read that thread from Artful...Kinda scare of all the soldering he has to do for the connector there. I don't mind doing a bit but too much will get to me and I will mess it up bad.
I guess what my question was...going from the stock gauge, What I need to do to make everything works (speedo, tach, lights)
I understood that part about speedo with the magnetic bolt at the wheel.
Tach with the resistance and wire to battery. Any instruction on this one?
The lights wirings scare me the most though. I know that the stock gauge has this one big round connector go to it...assuming all the pins are for something right (left right, neutral, high beam).
Sorry if i'm too confusing.
Okay cool...
My gauge still working good. I just want the digital gauge with tach and other stuff (time, and etc.)
If I cut the end of the connector that lead into the gauge, then I need to solder some LEDs at the end of the cut for the lights I needed.
I'm assuming that the kit comes with all the wire for the tach right?
What about your engine temp?
Quote from: The Mad King Pepe' on February 10, 2012, 10:21:26 AM
Not all the pins are used/necessary. You can even go without them if you want...
Is your stock gauge in working condition? If it's a broken POS you can cut the wires between the connector and the gauges and wire those into the LEDs.
For the tach you need a resistor in-line (along the wire). I believe it needs to be at least 600K Ohm.
Edit: pics here http://www.raptorforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2616 (http://www.raptorforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2616) (first post) show the tach lead (+) that needs to have a resistor wired inline.
Do you want the Vapor instead of the stock gauges or as an addition?
Trail tech sells a temp wire for air/oil cooled engines. It has a copper ring at the end of it that you place under your spark plug.
Quote from: seanster on February 10, 2012, 10:43:09 AM
Okay cool...
My gauge still working good. I just want the digital gauge with tach and other stuff (time, and etc.)
If I cut the end of the connector that lead into the gauge, then I need to solder some LEDs at the end of the cut for the lights I needed.
I'm assuming that the kit comes with all the wire for the tach right?
What about your engine temp?
Quote from: The Mad King Pepe' on February 10, 2012, 10:48:41 AM
Do you want the Vapor instead of the stock gauges or as an addition?
Trail tech sells a temp wire for air/oil cooled engines. It has a copper ring at the end of it that you place under your spark plug.
I want the vapor actually...I just want to make sure everything from the stock gauge.
I live in TX so the temp may come handy in April - Sept