Topic: Idiot lights

[Badboy]

Can someone out there enlighten me a little? I mean about if all bikes do not have any means to know[on the go if your rig is charging or not.Is that the general rule? What is wrong with having  a voltmeter or some other means to know what is happening?

[kghost]

Might have some thing to do with........

If your not scared, your not going fast enough.

Go fast enough to look at the tach or speedo, not both.

Seriously, some bikes have a volt or Amp meter from the factory. Mostly touring bikes and such. Adding a gauge would increase the cost to the manufacturer.

When new most motorcycle charging systems are dead reliable. As they get older (read Vintage) we tend to worry about the reliability of them, especially on long trips. I see you have a fairing on the bike in your avitar. It would be relatively simple to wire one in and install it in the fairing. Little tougher with no fairing.

[SteveD CB500F]

When I was younger and covered large mileages on my 500 (see avatar) I always wanted a clock!  When I fitted the Rickman fairing, the first thing I added was a clock (and bloody unreliable it was too!)

Now I wear a watch and shorty gloves.

[kghost]

  When I fitted the Rickman fairing, the first thing I added was a clock (and bloody unreliable it was too!)

Now I wear a watch and shorty gloves.

Sell ya a really pretty walther clock. Wind up, with jewel movements, out of an aircraft. They go fo about $800 though. Keeps time to about 4 g's.

[Jonesy]

When I was younger and covered large mileages on my 500 (see avatar) I always wanted a clock! When I fitted the Rickman fairing, the first thing I added was a clock (and bloody unreliable it was too!)

Now I wear a watch and shorty gloves.

...or just make sure your ride takes you past lots of banks!

That debate has been raised about "cages" (cars) as well. I guess it gives the aftermarket guys something sell....

[SteveD CB500F]

Er...  do banks in MI tell the time?  (they don't here)

[Jonesy]

Well, at least around the part of MI where I live every bank and municipal office seems to have a large digital clock/thermometer facing the street. I find it handy when I can't unzip the sleeve of my jacket to peek at my watch...

[SteveD CB500F]

OK.  Well I guess that's something else that will eventually make its way over here.

Can't imagine the banks giving away anything - even the time!

[eldar]

Would a person know WHERE to get a voltmeter that would work accurately with our bikes? Might be useful especially if it is small.

[Bob Wessner]

Here is one I found with a Google search, sure there are others.

http://www.motorcyclelighting.com/voltmeter.html

[Uncle Ernie]

A long time ago, I was coming home from Disney Land and got inspired. Eventually I had every toggle switch, dial, and button I could find. Most of them didn't do anything. A couple were engraved; "ejection", "oil slick", and "forward cannon".

[eldar]

Ernie had a Bond bike! Gee if I really could have those things. Take care of some drivers that dont pay attention to anything!

Bob, I saw that meter before. While it is kinda ugly and I would like an analog style gauge, it might be a good idea for temp use to make sure my charging system is working right.
Think about it, "gee I might have charging issues" hook up the meter and then you can find out!

[Badboy]

I checked out the site on the LED voltmeter. Looks like a winner to me. Snap-On and etc. sell a probe [voltage]of that nature,but not set up right for our wants. There are ampmeters that will take the vibes ,Ford tractors use to have one,it never gave any problem. My '59' diesel has an idiot lite,sure, saved them a few bucks per tractor. An ampmeter would do the trick to. As for me I like to know what is going on with my wheels, that includes oil pressure ,and charge ,and on a long trip I wouldn't mind some temp readings as well.