Trailtech Vapor Complete Rolling Write-Up

[Artful]

Looks great. I like how you designed the bracket & flyscreen. It's a tight little package. As I was reading I was wondering how you were going to keep the bug splatters off the back of the head unit but then I read further. Although, I noticed your headlight contours were not perfectly symmetrical in the template. As an architect my eye immediately catches stuff like that. It would be a super simple thing to throw it into AutoCAD, draw half of it with perfect arcs, then mirror it & save a DXF for conversion into gcode for the CNC machine. However it's not that noticeable. Only other thing I would like to see would be instead of the hard bends, more rounded bends at the sides. I suppose you could carefully achieve that by peening the sides over a piece of steel pipe or something but hey, not my business. I don't suppose the wiring schematics for the bike will have the pinouts labeled for that plug, anyone? Nice work.  [moto]

I'm a designer by trade so yeah, the slight variations are noticeable to me as well. I actually did exactly what you mentioned with tracing the "good" side then flipping a copy but then went in and made some slight tweaks based on the paper template that worked. Mostly just smoothing curves, etc. I'm more concerned about the final product than slight imperfections in symmetry.

There will be slight curvature in the part, but I do like the hard bends for the side transitions. In my eye the Monster isn't a machine that is devoid of hard edges, so some slight curves with a hard edge or two is the right fit for the design.

The owner's manual does have an amazing schematic that details out exactly what I need to know to wire up a harness.

[Drunken Monkey]

Awesome write-up! 

Just say the word that you're done, and with your permission I'd like to enshrine this thread in the FAQ section.

[Artful]

Awesome write-up! 

Just say the word that you're done, and with your permission I'd like to enshrine this thread in the FAQ section.

Will do. the electrical parts I need should be in this week or next. You definitely have permission, I know how many resources I had to tap to feel confident doing this, I'd like to remove that for anyone looking to do it in the future.

[The Mad King Pepe']

First, here's the ECU upon its return. You'll notice the RACE sticker, which according to urban legend immediately means the bike makes 15 more hp and the only exhaust from now on will be rainbow farts. I'm a realist however, I don't expect much change.

Evidence proves otherwise 



Yea, I'm bored 

[Artful]

I just need to find a way to attach the horn. I'm sure I can fab something up...

[djrashonal]

I'm diggin the writeup, I'm returning my Acewell and I'm gonna buy the Vapor Stealth...So keep it coming and I'll follow along! 

[paulel]

Yep, the Vapor Stealth is on my list too.

[Artful]

I'm diggin the writeup, I'm returning my Acewell and I'm gonna buy the Vapor Stealth...So keep it coming and I'll follow along!  

Right on, I think you'll be thrilled with it. Heads up though, if you like the Acewell more the write-up will be almost identical for your gauge. Might be a few changes but for the most part the only difference will be how you choose to mount it and maybe a wire or two.

I did end up painting the face while I wait for the terminal to show up. Looks 1000% better with a matte black face versus the gloss cheap plastic look.

The gauge comes apart with a small Phillips screwdriver. I scuff sanded it with 600 grit sandpaper then sprayed it with Duplicolor Trim Paint. I've used the stuff on my bumpers on my car and it is incredibly durable. Nice balance between dark black without a surface gloss. The truly matte stuff looks a little gray.



Much better than the original shiny gloss

[paulel]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but when I first read this thread I thought there were two things going on here, changing the instruments and flashing the ecu, but on re-reading I think the two may be connected. Is it necessary to flash the ecu when you change the instruments and if so why? Great thread btw.

[Artful]

If you have a bike with an immobilizer you have to flash the ECU to remove that feature, otherwise when you remove the stock gauges the bike will no longer start. Bikes without an immobilizer can skip that step.

[paulel]

Once again, sorry if this sounds really stupid, but how do I know if it has an immobiliser or not? My bike is a 2000 900Sie if anyone can help.

[Artful]

I don't know much about the older Monsters but the simple test is to disconnect the gauges and try to start it

[Blue]

Once again, sorry if this sounds really stupid, but how do I know if it has an immobiliser or not? My bike is a 2000 900Sie if anyone can help.

You do not have an immobilizer on your Monster!



And Artful...
Great write up!

[paulel]

Thanx

[Artful]

Still no Tyco terminal but I did make some progress over the weekend.

Windscreen came back from my guys in Rockville, MD. Bending was surprisingly easy since it was only .063 aluminum, and a poor man's aluminum brake was perfect for the simple bends.

Lots of edge sanding and filing to get the edges smooth and perfect, then a coat of self-etching primer.



Then a Dark rattlecan match from my thread here: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=45508.0



Painted the bracket trim black and now waiting impatiently for the harness so I can wire it up!