Digital Speedometer

Hello everyone,

This is my first post as I just purchased a 1981 KZ650 a few days ago. The bike itself is a bobber project with most of the mechanical/frame legwork done. Unfortunately, the PO modified or removed a lot of the wiring for the various controls since they were not required in his state. So I currently have a bobber without turn signals or a speedometer, both of which are required in PA. I'll save the turn signal conversation for another time, since there is a lot of work needed there. But, the PO told me that all I really need for the speedometer is the actual speedo and cable that hooks up near the hub of the front wheel. That sounds suspiciously too easy to me though. I know this is sort of vague, but I need all the help I can get. Is there any place where I can get a diagram of the speedometer hookup showing all the connections and components; essentially I'm just trying to find out what's there and what I'll need to buy. Also, is there an easy swap as far as using a digital speedo - I'd like something small since I'm sticking with the bobber style.

I appreciate all and any help...thanks.

I am also in PA, and tho I do want to keep my turn signals, I was under the impression they are not required.

As for your speedo, I think there is also a power wire so that it lights up with the headlight. If it's just for inspection, you could probably just use a bicycle speedometer. There is also those add on speedos that have a tach and all the idiot lights built into a single gauge. I forget the name but they run about $120 for the lowend, which had everything I would need in a multi-gauge. Alltell or something like that.

How about some pics of this bobber project?

Acewell is what I was thinking of.

Not sure if these pictures will work, but here's the beginnings of my 81 bobber.

Sorry, meant to post 3 different pictures instead of the same one...

djturnz...thanks for the info, I did a little research on the Acewell - and it seems like a pretty nice unit. It looks like everyone is using the magnetic pickup instead of a direct connect cable...is it possible to make the S10 that Acewell sells for Kawasaki's fit into an 81kz650?

roccon99 wrote:

Sorry, meant to post 3 different pictures instead of the same one...

Nice chop, it's almost done...

Check the link below for ideas... the site is friendly to all bike brands & styles!


www.choppertownnation.com

I just made the S10 connector fit my KZ650B1 other day. You need an old speedo cable. You cut the old cable and take off the nut that attaches to the speedo drive. Then you take the nut off the acewell pickup. I sanded out the inside lip of the stock nut to fit the acewell sensor body, and then the lip on the acewell pickup has to be ground down to fit that into the kawi nut. If that doesn't make any sense ask me some questions to clarify.

T_Dub...that makes perfect sense. The only problem is that I don't have the original speedo cable. I wonder if I could just find a generic nut that fits the speedo drive and slides over the S10?

@Bad Dad....thanks for the info. Once I get all the electrical issues figured out, I'm gonna sandblast and paint the entire bike (not sure what color yet). But, for now I'm focused on turn signals, speedo, and finding a cheap/reliable solenoid relay.

You technically could I guess, but you'd still have to grind down the lip on the acewell drive a little. That's because the threads themselves are of a smaller ID than the lip OD.

But I'm sure it shouldn't be hard to find someone with an old speedo cable to give you. Even a new one is only $12. Worth it in my view, this way is much cleaner than the magnetic pickup.