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Forum Show Idea: Custom Motorcycle Integrated Electrical System
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Show Idea: Custom Motorcycle Integrated Electrical System

e14 Contributor
e14 Contributor over 13 years ago

Building cutomzied motorcycles (not just choppers) is very popular right now. Everything from vintage cafe racers to bobbers. In order to keep street legal and simple there are very few commerical options for integrated wiring and electronics to drive the lights and other systems on a motorcycle. And they are expensive. I'd love to see an open source solution to drive the lights, charging and ignition systems that could be easily incorporated into any build.

 

Key components would be ignition on/off (linked to a key switch if needed), headlight (hi/lo), turn signals (LED, flasher/self cancelling), brake light, and license plate light. While you can buy compenent to do these fucntion they are approximately $50-100 EACH.

 

The key would be to bring all of the components into a single unit, greatly simplifiying the installation. I can provide a crude wiring diagram and the project bike. I would be able to install and provide video of the competed project.

 

Thank you for your time.

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  • benheck
    benheck over 13 years ago

    Keep in mind it's expensive BECAUSE it's tested and working for street legal.

     

    Component parts can sound like a lot, but it's very easy to actually spend more by trying to do it cheaper.

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  • e14 Contributor
    e14 Contributor over 13 years ago in reply to benheck

    So you're saying you never test anything? image

     

    As for street legal, these parts aren't certified by anyone. Not here in the good ol' USA!

     

    I'll put together a diagram before you officially say no. image

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  • louw9669
    louw9669 over 13 years ago in reply to e14 Contributor

    This would be interesting. I have been rebuilding an old Honda and have some ideas...

    micro controlled ignition, variable timing?, and maybe a coil on plug design.

    throttle by wire using a servo on the carb linkage (I know...)

    electronically monitoring/adjusting the quad carb vacuum.

    a new, high-tech charging system. The old bikes use rectifier/regulators which are expensive. You have to rectify the 3-phase100vac, coming from the stator and then regulate it down to 12vdc.

    replace the tail light and turn signals with a led matrix display that will show yellow left and right arrows and the word STOP in big red letters.

    I was also thinking about modulating the headlight

    gear display

    Lets not forget the rfid key and lcd display for monitoring charging current, battery voltage, oil pressure, etc.

    and of course GPS and internet access to find the bike when it's stolen

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  • e14 Contributor
    e14 Contributor over 13 years ago in reply to louw9669

    Ben probably doesn't ride so I can understand why he doesn't get it. That's ok.

     

    If any of the other readers what to give it a try let me know.

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  • e14 Contributor
    e14 Contributor over 13 years ago in reply to louw9669

    Ben probably doesn't ride so I can understand why he doesn't get it. That's ok.

     

    If any of the other readers what to give it a try let me know.

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  • benheck
    benheck over 13 years ago in reply to e14 Contributor

    Nope, not a motorcycle guy. Used to watch American Chopper a lot though. Show got a lot better once they went CNC and every bike didn't look like an anerexic wasp anymore.

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