Ducati Monster Forum

Has anyone ever installed this Acewell or a similar one on their Duc?  Would love any install insights before I embark on this project.  Here a pic of what I purchased off fleabay brand new.  Looking to give my S2R800 a smaller instrument panel.

(http://www.renazcoracing.com/photos/large/19-3962_primary.jpg)

Going by your sig, you've got an 05 S2R800, so that means you bike is equipped with an immobilizer.

So the bad news is you're either going to have to bodge something up where the old instrument cluster is hidden under your gas tank, or you get your ECU flashed to no longer have the immobilizer circuit (I highly recommend the later solution)

Once that's out of the way, it's pretty easy to cut the old connector off your instrument cluster (or better yet get a hold of a used connector) and wire up the new panel into the connector.

A printout (preferably enlarged) of your bike's wiring harness is a must. There may be a few tricky bits that don't quite match the new panel.

e.g. The new panel has two lights for turn signals, the old panel only had one. If you're okay with only one light working (or possibly both) it'll be easy.

It may use LEDs which have to be wired with the correct polarity, where the old panel used regular bulb where it doesn't matter. But, as long as you can read polarity off the wiring diagram, you should have the skills needed to wire it up right.

Thanks DM.  I had planned on getting a new ECU so I guess that it will all work out in the end. 

Most importantly... Take pictures when you do it!

This way we can live vicariously through you and hopefully we can get a HOW TO for the future (a lot of folks ask about this particular mod)

Slightly OT: Anyone know where you can source the connectors for the instrument panel? This mod comes up enough that it'd be a worthwhile addition to a FAQ on this....

A friend mentioned that I might be able to get away purchasing a Teclusion fuel injection control module.  However, I feel still feel like this will not address the immobilizer issue.  This is a correct assumption, right?  Even if I bought the module I will still need to have my ECU remapped. 

Teclusion will not address the immobilizer issue.

Thanks for confirming what I thought Howie. 

Looks like Houston Superbikes is going to get some money from me to reflash my ECU to DP specs.  

what other mods are on the bike? reflash is great if you have some very standard mods (full exhaust/ slip ons with K&N filter) but if you have more unique things  (chopped filter or pods as well as exhaust, lightened flywheel etc) your best bet would be something like a nemesis ECU and a dyno tune, the nice part about a nemesis is its completely customizable for future mods.

when was your last service?  

Well nothing on her is stock anymore.....Current exhaust setup is just udders.  However, I just purchased Hedman hot tips to throw on the end of the udder to give her a more unique look.  The ECU is being flashed to DP Termi race setup so I will have to open up the airbox and have her retuned.  With all that said I might need a Teclusion.  Don't have $1K for a Nemisis.   

im pretty sure the dp race setup is for an udderless system with at most a K&N filter.  I dont know that it would be the best bet for a chopped airbox and modded stock exhaust.

I would wait until you have a full system on there before messing with the ecu at all. as for the acewell unit, unless you need a new gauge I would wait until you can do a new ecu such as nemesis or can find a place that will flash the ecu to remove the immobilizer all together.   that of course is assuming you are uncomfortable with cutting up the stock cluster.


if you are do for a major service, wait to do all your performance mods after that then get it a custom tune done then. fresh tunes are best on fresh motors.

Thanks for the advice. 

I'm already committed to installing the Acewell and at the very least Houston Superbikes will reflash my ECU to remove the immobilizer otherwise the Acewell will be useless.  I'm still up in the air on my exhaust.  I want something unique that not many people have . Termi's are everywhere so I know for sure I'm not putting them on my bike.  Might go for Akrapovic's or a QuatD.  I've fallen in love with the open wheel look of just udders.  Not sure I want to give that up!

Personally I'm in love with the Quad D exhaust! [drool]

I love how it makes the bike much more slender and more agile, I would assume since the weight sits lower. My only issue with the open udder is that it's too loud for my taste, other wise [thumbsup] on that too.

As for the gauges, I would search eBay for wires instead of chopping the ones off the stock gauges. That way you can sell them or put them back on more easily if you ever need to.

Question: why did you chose the Acewell instead of a Trailtech Vapor? Cost? Features?

Cheers! [drink]

+1 on the QuatD's Pepe but $1K.  Hopefully I will find them for cheaper because it's basically udders just prettier. 

I think I spent months looking at every gauge cluster out there.  Loved Koso but it wouldn't look right and MotoGadgets were too TINY.  Its been pretty much down to Trailtech and Acewell for a long while. 

I went with the Acewell for functionality.  I'm a big fan of its size, fuel function and gear indicator.  I can't think of any reason why Ducati didn't include a proper fuel gauge on the cluster.  The LED indicators are nicely positioned on the side and most of all it's completely waterproof. 

I wish someone out there made a digital version of the S2R gauge cluster.  That would be HAWT!

The Acewell is a bit on the expensive side @ around $300.00.

i just got the Acewell 2853-AB and so if you have any wiring advice let me know!

(http://bit.ly/ih87sI)

Here are some pics with all the goodies it came with.  Not sure when I'm going to install it given DC may reach the high 50's this weekend.  Might wait until next week to begin removal of the old cluster and putting this new thang in.  ECU will be here from Bobby @ Houston Superbikes as well.  

This Acewell is tiny.  It's no bigger than my iPhone and just a tab bit fatter.  Should make hte front end look nice.  

When you decide to put this thing in let me know, I'd like to be involved in the process. Also, I went the Trailtech route so I'm envisioning a badass comparison thread between the Trailtech and the Acewell.

ALSO: Finally found the right connector to prevent having to hack into the stock dash connector. Tyco Part No. 6437288-6 and can be purchased from here: http://www.tycoelectronics.com/catalog/bin/TE.Connect?C=1&M=BYPN&TCPN=6437288-6&RQPN=6437288-6 (http://www.tycoelectronics.com/catalog/bin/TE.Connect?C=1&M=BYPN&TCPN=6437288-6&RQPN=6437288-6) (they also provide free samples)

Any interest in a side by side install of the two for the benefit of the board?

Have you gotten your turn signal relay?

See above post.

I haven't ripped everything apart to see what I need to order, however, since you needed a turn signal relay I might have to order one myself. 

You sure you wanna be involved?  Me, my bike, the Acewell and some pin stripping would love to come hang out in Balmore. 

How long did it take you to install your TrailTech?

This is where I'm at on my install, waiting for my ECU to come back and two electrical parts to show up.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44219.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44219.0)

Also, do you have the wiring schematic for your bike? You can find them in the user manual or in PDF format at http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do (http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do)

We could certainly use the garage one weekend, I don't see why it should take more than a day assuming all required parts are in hand before we get started. I also have a pretty decent set of electrical tools to use, many in duplicate.

I love projects. Never afraid to start hacking into my bike, and especially not someone else's lol.

Received my ECU back from Houston Superbikes.  It was flashed to S2R800 race with the immobilizer and O2 sensor removed. 

Posted in my thread as well, I still have a VDSTS cable for the rest of the week if you wanted to do your TPS reset and fuel trim.

I just noticed you are liking the fuel gauge feature of the Acewell... are you replacing your fuel level sender? The stock sender will only work with an idiot light as it isn't a linear sender.

Could a sender from an ST[2,3,4]  work? Otherwise it can be a pain to find one.  :-\

I will double check the packaging but I think they included one in the package.  Would be nice if I'm right  [bang]

Not a clue actually. I would think the only shot he has is that an existing Duc part works, but that's a long shot. Typically fuel level senders are pretty damn specific as to the tank they go in and the gauge they end up being attached to. Incorrect measurement or out of range resistance/voltage and you have a whole lot of nothing. I'm sticking with the idiot light on my TrailTech install because I have no idea how to make that damn thing work.

I may just follow your lead on this. 

How do you think your Monsta looks with the Trailtech?

Don't let me discourage you, I've been known to be dead wrong before. Once.  [laugh] If you can make it work then I know a lot of people that would be thrilled, myself included.

I love the way the Vapor looks, I like the wide format more than the square of the Acewell in between the bars, but both could look good with a little massaging. Pics are in my write-up thread.