Smiths electronic instruments

Hi, I will need an electronic tacho for my Seeley (not possible to fit any mechanical ones due to Maney exhaust!) so I should fit at first instance the Scitsu one , but now I could choose between it and the new Smiths , in the same price league(nearly), they should have the same warranty , though as Joe mentioned it the Scitsu is rubber protected , not the Smiths.....

ZFD

Yep always rubber mounted with number with plastic number plate bolts and rubber straps

The main issue with the SCITSU was always battery longevity
they were in effect a sealed unit and required returning for service / replacement
at £50.00 per time if you can get 15 years out of a battery do please tell
the charge leads were also very prone to fail , I can recall having to buy
a couple of them as well

I guess when you fit one to a Commando racer you are not abusing them like the two stroke boys as the needle don't move as far

Do the new smiths units use external power or internal batteries ???

correct me if I am wrong but don't the original smiths gauges also have the milometer / trip at the top and the green dot at the bottom

I did not realize the speedo was driven by an adaptor to the original speedo drive. That's a practical solution for the following reasons: All Commandos had a speedo drive, no additional calibration needed, you can run the sensor wires to look like a speedo cable.

The downsides are if you don't have a reliable speedo drive.

I wonder if there is a set location for all Commandos that could be used to mount a magnetic sensor? Get's complicated as the rear wheels are different on the MkIII.

Getting rid of the original speedo drive was one of the things I was trying to do. A big advantage if you ask me.

I picked up a resonant proximity sensor on e-bay. Surplus for 5 bucks. It is 5mm diameter and 20mm long and just has two wires. It will sense any metallic object, including aluminum or stainless. The speedo can be calibrated for nearly any number of pulses per mile although less than 4 pulses per wheel revolution will make the speedo pulse at low speed. I am using the five bolt heads for the rear disk rotor and it is very smooth. I was able to drill a hole in my rear caliper mount and epoxie the sensor in the hole. It needs to be less than 1mm away from the stainless bolt heads to sense them. It could easily sense the holes in a disk rotor also. Jim

On their Facebook page Andover said that they will look for an optional speedo pickup solution.

If you eliminate the speedo drive do you need to add a spacer to compensate? If so what size?

swooshdave said:

On their Facebook page Andover said that they will look for an optional speedo pickup solution.

If you eliminate the speedo drive do you need to add a spacer to compensate? If so what size?

Click to expand...

Something about the size of your old knackered speedo drive should do it :mrgreen:

Seriously, removing the drive will need a washer the thickness of the drive casing (I'll measure one up later), but there will still be a rather ugly drive sleeve to hide, and a bearing to shield - perhaps an alloy cupped spacer would be the answer?
I'm certainly planning a set of these clocks into my PR build... when I can afford :roll:

I wonder if early-style green blobs will be made available?

swooshdave said:

On their Facebook page Andover said that they will look for an optional speedo pickup solution.

If you eliminate the speedo drive do you need to add a spacer to compensate? If so what size?

Click to expand...

I measured a new drive. It was about .150 thick at the center. Jim

comnoz said:

swooshdave said:

On their Facebook page Andover said that they will look for an optional speedo pickup solution.

If you eliminate the speedo drive do you need to add a spacer to compensate? If so what size?

Click to expand...

I measured a new drive. It was about .150 thick at the center. Jim

Click to expand...

What about the top hat spacer? NM13270

Doesn't that fit between the spacer 060324 and the bearing retainer?

swooshdave said:

comnoz said:

swooshdave said:

On their Facebook page Andover said that they will look for an optional speedo pickup solution.

If you eliminate the speedo drive do you need to add a spacer to compensate? If so what size?

Click to expand...

I measured a new drive. It was about .150 thick at the center. Jim

Click to expand...

What about the top hat spacer? NM13270

Doesn't that fit between the spacer 060324 and the bearing retainer?

Click to expand...

Yes, I was including the top hat spacer. Jim

When I get some time next week I'll make up a cover hat and post some pictures.

Should be quick to make. (famous last words)

For those without lathe-access Decent Cycles (Greg Fauth) is having some made in SS, I know because I am first in line! Now if Legendary Motorcycles would get the studs finished this-deal will be solved!!

Vince