M696 Gauges

[Venom51]

This sort of revives an old question that I couldn't find a new answer to.

Due to a build-up of pressure in my front brake master cylinder, brake fluid squirted out onto my gauge cluster. I didn't see it on there until it was too late.  The corrosive nature of the fluid stained my cluster. Thankfully, it's only on a portion of it. I can see most of the important data.

So...is there any way to ADD an analog gauge to the existing gauges? I don't want to replace them but would like to add, at a minimum, a speedometer. I can read the speed but it can be difficult. I'd like to add something above the existing digital gauge so that it doesn't cover the data. If anything, higher and pointing a bit up would actually add to visibility for me.

Any ideas? Thanks for the help!

[ChrisK]

Maybe add a picture so we all can imagine it.

[Venom51]

You mean a picture of what I hope can be done? I just want to add an analog gauge like this:

[ChrisK]

I kind of meant what your gauge looks like now, so that we can see the damage and maybe imagine for ourselves what a solution could look like.

But I get where you're going, and there are plenty of aftermarket gauges available. A lot use magnet sensors to pick up speed readings so they're pretty easy to install.

[ungeheuer]

Not analogue, but I have one of these Vapor things on my DR... works very well..


or there's this (no FHE)..


if you're dead set on analogue there's this (no FHE here though)..


... but if it was my 696 I think I'd be looking to fix the original instrument cluster.

[Venom51]

Here's a pic of the damage:



Thanks for all the suggestions and replies. I'm going to try and find a used plastic housing. I should be able to remove the existing one and replace with a used one. This doesn't mess with any of the electrical and hopefully, the price will be right. The real problem is actually finding one. Ducati doesn't sell it as a part. They only sell the entire unit and that is $$$$.

Someone suggested I try headlight cleaner (I think it's a 3M product) but I'm not sure it'll work with this kind of corrosion. Plus, I don't want to mess with it too much and ruin it further. Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions.

[ChrisK]

If that's just a clear piece of plastic over top of the LCD screen you could probably take it apart and cut your own replacement out of a sheet.

[Stormtrooper]

Wow...how did it squirt out of the master? was the top plate loose?

[Venom51]

If that's just a clear piece of plastic over top of the LCD screen you could probably take it apart and cut your own replacement out of a sheet.

That's a good thought. I'm not sure that's how it's designed though. I'll take it apart this weekend and check.

[Venom51]

Wow...how did it squirt out of the master? was the top plate loose?

There's a small hole on the left side of the master cylinder. When the pressure built up, it began squirting out as a very fine line. I'm guessing the pressure inside the master pushed the bladder up. As I was trying to figure out what was going on with the brakes, the brake lever tightened more and more until it felt like the brakes were locked. I pulled over to inspect. I couldn't figure out why the brakes were squeezing on the disc. So, I loosened the top plate and fluid escaped over the rim which released the pressure and allowed me to get home.

It wasn't until I got home that I realized every time I had been squeezing the lever, it was spraying onto the gauges. Weird.

[NVTanner]

This was supposed to be my next winter project, so I'll bring it up here. If you remove the electrical connector on the back of the display there are 8 torx screws that will allow you to separate the front trim from from the back electronics portion of the display. Then you can replace this plastic lens and put it back together.

This is what I was planning to do this winter. The previous owner of my monster used silicone on the edges so water wouldn't leak in but it now looks like shit with all the dust and scratches. So I'm planning on replacing mine this winter.

I hope this helps getting you to get yours looking better.

[nickshelby500kr]

I have the disassembly instructions in my rebuild thread if you search for it.

[Venom51]

This was supposed to be my next winter project, so I'll bring it up here. If you remove the electrical connector on the back of the display there are 8 torx screws that will allow you to separate the front trim from from the back electronics portion of the display. Then you can replace this plastic lens and put it back together.

This is what I was planning to do this winter. The previous owner of my monster used silicone on the edges so water wouldn't leak in but it now looks like shit with all the dust and scratches. So I'm planning on replacing mine this winter.

I hope this helps getting you to get yours looking better.

Great info, thanks! 

[Venom51]

I have the disassembly instructions in my rebuild thread if you search for it.

Thank you!