Hello all,

I've got a lot on information from you guys in the past, but this is my first original post.

I bought a 77 kz-650 last year, have been trying my hand at fixing it up. I'm getting pretty decent about mechanical issues, I have it running well, but electronic issues I am a severe dunce.

So, my question, I want to replace the tach and speedo with one of the Acewell 2802's, is this hard to do, or even possible on my bike? This would be the first (of hopefully many) modifications I want to make to the bike. Do you need an electrical engineering degree to make the transformation?

Any information would be helpful, I guess I just don't understand how they hook up.

Thanks

Was it worth it? Well yes, of course. To me, anyways.
i suppose that depends on what u intend to get out of your project. if u think u will make money when u sell it, u will be very disappointed. But for me, I always seem to feel the need to change things and personalize them, my house, my bike, the furniture I build. Every new project is meant to be more difficult than the last. This satisfies the craving to learn more. And I think 1 of the most gratifying things , is to stand back at the end, look at your work, and say (to yourself) I did that myself.
I am still not satisfied with the handling. I still have a weave to iron out. Hopefully the new tires will solve that, we’ll see.
I plan to take it to track days, so it needs to handle well. Its good enough for the street now, I ride it harder than I should on the street.
The motor has power, but not enough. I think I need a bike like Joshes for that, or a zx14.
Josh I have most of what I want to do done. It will likely only see small changes from now on. I do need a good paint job though, so that means a complete tare down once again. I don’t have time for that now, so I will just touch up the paint for now.
I do have a wish list, New and improved ZRX Wong seat mod. 200mm rear tire(just because I think it would look sick.) Acewell speedo, Ohlin Steering damper, New temp gauge,Hydro clutch(i have all the parts for this exept the line),O2 sensor, Brand new Kerker.
If I was starting over I would put a mono on the rear. So coolB)
Keep it twisted.
Mark

Mark, in that last picture you posted, what is that ou welded onto the frame? Is that like a steering stop?







There are some pics for you Mark, and so others can see the differences there from what you machined out.

I wanted to Acewell before, so I think now is the time to do it. When I convert the front end that is. I always like how it looked.

Any good places to look for misc parts, like the rubber mounted bar mounts you had? Or just ebay/find something and make it work? I'd love to buy a set that has the same diameter that will hold stock size bars. I assume thats the way I will be able to keep the stock LH and RH controls (starter, horn, turn signal buttons....)

I think this 1 is up to u bud. it is very much a personal taste thing. it has to look good to YOU.
I am torn between the acewell and stock. of the stock speedo worked well i would keep it, because i like the stock look. my stock speedo is out about 12% and it is a paint since the needle floats around.
I always ride 20KPR over the limit since i dont feel the cops will stop me unless i go over that. so riding on what i feel is the edge of the speed limit, i would feel better if i could trust my speedo.
The Acewell is a nice inexpensive option.
as for the bars, u just need to figure out how to mount them for now. search out your mounts so u can install them.

I highly recommend the Acewell, it is what I have on my GPZ and love the look of it. It is small and has almost everything you need in a speedo/tach for less than $140...

great write up schmol! And your bike turned out awesome!

Mark, you asking me about if I have decided on bars, gauges, etc.. has got me thinking.
Heres what I have and some of my dilemmas, and maybe people can give me some feedback.
I have a set of stock gauges, that are a little beat up. The speedometer doesn't work (i think its the unit in the wheel sensor), and I have an electronic tachometer (no cable tach drive on the motor). I think if I am changing the front end, the only way to go would be to an Acewell unit or something like that. I always liked how those looked and actually had almost bought one before anyway. I think that may be the way to go. Any opinions?

Also, I have not decided on a set of bars. I have considered after seeing in person a set of clubmans upside down (so they pull back, not hunched over like a cafe style), but I think I remember seeing on here that some people find them uncomfortable?

Any input or ideas are greatly appreciated!

I also recently added Acewell Single digital gauge, Woodcraft clipons, Raask rearsets, and a side-mount license plate bracket (which I'm not sure I like...):

love what your creating! i have the acewell on my streetfighter and i love it. very compact and does what i need it to, it also was one of the cheaper i could find

"The only thing I wish is it was about 50% larger."...

WHoa, my wife just said the same thing... :blush: :laugh:

Larry and I discussed this for they are a small unit of sorts but they do work extremely well...

For the Acewell or similar units, you could always buy a Dakota casing for example and fab it in for larger appearances... Or have one machined out of aluminum for you guys...

Could be done but this stuff is expensive... :S

OMR

larrycavan wrote:

Awesome guage!

I have an Acewell like OMR's. The only thing I wish is it was about 50% larger.

Agreed they are out of scale a bit.

I need to get some speed indicator on my bike. The governator is looking to CHP to balance his books with traffic fines.

Thanks for sharing looks like a nice unit.