Has anyone done any of this?

Hi all,
I would like to get rid of as many of the cables, wires, etc. that are around the handlebars. I'm thinking of doing away with the speedometer and tachometer, relocating the starter button to somewhere on the right side of the chassis, eliminate the requirement that the clutch be disengaged before the starter will work, run the turn signal wires inside the handle bars, and not worry if there will be no high beam switch.
I'm not a real mechanical guy, but I kind of know how most things electrical function.
I would be interested in anyone’s experience at any or all of this.
Thanks,
Nitwit

piece of cake;)

I have done this. I eliminated the entire instrument cluster, mounted the ignition key into the headlight cover and removed the turn signals (check local laws on all this first). Much cleaner looking. The original bars on my 1000 LTD had internally routed wires but I put on some shorter ones and did not bother running the wire through them. All it would take is to drill a few holes though. As for the harness, I clipped off all the wires that I no longer needed where they spliced into the harness. I have had no electrical issues. Remember to plug the holes where the speedo and tach used to go.

Here is a pic



Post edited by: KZ, at: 2006/05/25 00:09

Post edited by: KZ, at: 2006/05/25 00:10

Here's a question: WHY??

How the hell are you supposed to know how fast your going without a speedo? How about that tach, wouldn't that be a useful item?

Are you the same guy that tossed his front brakes and fender?

I don't need them.

I still have the brakes but no fender.

Post edited by: KZ, at: 2006/05/25 04:14

Nitwit wrote:

Hi all,
...eliminate the requirement that the clutch be disengaged before the starter will work and not worry if there will be no high beam switch....
I'm not a real mechanical guy, but I kind of know how most things electrical function.
I would be interested in anyone’s experience at any or all of this.
Thanks,
Nitwit

All the cosmetic stuff is do-able, butthere's valid reasons why messing with the clutch ain't such a good idea - would be quite a sight to spend all that time and effort making a cosmetically clean bike and wipe a fair amount of that off on a gal-pal's quarterpanels but absent-mindedly hitting the starter button in first gear with the clutch out...

As the French say, *Feces Occur*.

Another point for style is that high beam. These bikes aren't known for having an over abundance of lumens to begin with. If you insist on doffing the high beam switch, then at least leave it stuck on the high beam.

(*$hit happens)

Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2006/05/25 05:57

If ya wanted a schwinn ya should have bought one..
Seriously, there are few non-mechanicals happy with custom stuff. When the problems arrise they are on the short end of tech support. The mantra around here is do what you like but like the carpentry rule of measure twice and cut once keep a eye down the road. Removing that foofoo valve is easier than putting one on! BTW if you need a foofoo valve I got a whole box of them...
From one foofoo to another....

"Feces Occur"? Oui! dOOd poOOp!

KZ - That's exactly the look I'm after. I will, however, keep the turn signals. Thanks for the picture and advice.
Ptersaur - Thanks for the tip on the the high beam. I don't drive at night very much and only around town.
Ambergrismooon - Thanks for the input. FooFoo valve? Is that the clutch/starter do-hickey?
Nitwit

Don't forget to put a longer fork on there! Rigid frame and a suicide clutch with a jockey shift is what you need! Come to think of it, you'd probably do well to install a low-compression pushrod V-twin engine while you're at it...

Post edited by: guitargeek, at: 2006/05/25 15:49

guitargeek wrote:

Don't forget to put a longer fork on there! Rigid frame and a suicide clutch with a jockey shift is what you need! Come to think of it, you'd probably do well to install a low-compression pushrod V-twin engine while you're at it...<br><br>Post edited by: guitargeek, at: 2006/05/25 15:49

got a problem with personalizing a bike?:whistle: if everybody rode the same black 750 that would be kind of boring dont ya think?

guitargeek wrote:

Don't forget to put a longer fork on there! Rigid frame and a suicide clutch with a jockey shift is what you need! Come to think of it, you'd probably do well to install a low-compression pushrod V-twin engine while you're at it...<br><br>Post edited by: guitargeek, at: 2006/05/25 15:49

I sense a little sarcasm.... :lol:

I'd like to get rid of my stock gauges but I'd like to make a new warning light panel (smaller) as well as use a new tach and speedo, but much smaller. I just want to lighten the look of the bike a little. Even going from the 7" headlamp to a 5.5" lamp made a world of difference on the front IMO. But hey, to each their own. I knwo there are some guys who consier choppign one of these up from stock is sacrilege. :whistle:

Gettin rid of the starter lockout switch (that switch on the clutch lever) is an easy one. Follow the wires under the tank and disconnect the switch wires. Then plug the two connectors on the main harness together as one's a male plug and the other's a female. It's as if it were ment to be.