Triumphrat

paulhdick · 02-10-2008, 05:51 PM

This is my first significant post on the forum so please bear with me …. it is in parts because I am including several pictures

Thanks to all that posted before me, especially to CLAMP007 who provided the original “mini-gauge” inspiration for this project, PSASAK who provided the wiring diagram that saved me at least a few hours of headaches, and of course the demonic D9 who demonstrates how an “expert” does it.

I think Triumph did a lot of things right on the Scrambler but the speedometer/handlebar clamp combo is a sore spot in my eyes. I wanted something similar to the old speedo mounts which meant a simple flat bracket mounted to the back side of the speedo. I came up with a solution that looks like this and attaches to the top of the upper triple clamp. Some .090” thick 5052 aluminum, a drill, a hacksaw, and a file!! (D9, I have a drawing if you are interested in making this for others)

For mounting I drilled the bottom cable manager holes through to the top of the triple clamp and followed it with an M8 tap. This is what the speedo looks like mounted using the original wire manager screws.

I like Plug & Play retrofits so I spent some time searching for the proper connector housing and contact pins to allow me to connect the speedo directly to the existing mating connector. The connector housing is an AMP/Tyco Electronics “MultiLock” #174058-2, and the contact pins are #173682. If you ask very, very nicely the friendly folks at Tyco Electronics will send you free samples. Here is what they look like … and the original connector on the stock speedo.

paulhdick · 02-10-2008, 05:52 PM

To do this right you will need the proper crimping tool pictured below ($$ expensive if you don’t have one) for the contact pins. It would be difficult to crimp the pins without it but could probably be done with a cheaper Molex crimper and some pliers to reshape the insulation crimp a bit.

This is what the harness looks like with turn signal diodes and contact pins installed and ready for final assembly. Thank you again, PSASAK! Solder and heat shrink tubing was used at all connections.

And the finished Plug & Play product, connector housing installed, and bracket mounted.

Comparison – stock (ugly) or mini (nice) … what do you think?

paulhdick · 02-10-2008, 05:54 PM

A side story … I wanted the mini speedo to reflect my current mileage so this is what I came up with to move the odometer forward. A small DC motor, rubber tubing, and a square tipped driver (dipped in some moly-kote). It’s actually running in this picture … pretty good stop action, huh?

Let’s see, 40mph and I need to roll it up to 1703.25 miles --- okay, I have 42 1/2 hours to wire up the new desert bars and finish the project. This setup would run over 100mph but I did not want to stress the speedo or tiny motor!

I wanted handlebars reminiscent of the old desert race bars I used to have on my DT1 (and Bridgestone 100, boy does that date me). I do not like the inward horizontal bend of the stock bars when moved forward far enough for my tall 6 foot plus size. Retrofitting new (wider & taller) bars is a bit of a hassle as you need to drill the bars for the switch housing locating pins and increase the wiring and cable lengths. While I was lengthening the wires I decided to run them through the bars as well. Internal wiring is one of those things “if you have to ask why” you wouldn’t understand. Probably watching way too much American Chopper. Here are the new bars wired up and ready for install.

paulhdick · 02-10-2008, 05:58 PM

Is that odometer moved forward enough yet?? D9 was right about the speedo cable interfering with the stock headlight housing on a Scrambler using the mini-speedo. I may be one of the few folks that like the small longish headlight, so that meant moving the speedo closer to the bars … which means losing the stock handle bar clamps and installing ones from a 2007 Triumph Tiger. You need to buy the upper and lower clamps to do this as the top bolt spacing on the Tiger (and Speed Triple) is closer even though it is the same bar diameter as the Scrambler (7/8”). You can reuse the two original 10mm bolts from the stock lower clamps, as well as the four 8mm top clamp socket head screws. Got rid of the industrial looking top clamp, and the speedo cable now fits! Painted black, the new clamps look just right!

Speedo wiring is “Plug & Play”, mini speedo reads the correct mileage, desert bars installed, three inch longer brake line, a clutch cable from a Triumph America … project done!

bikebits · 02-10-2008, 06:12 PM

That is a nice job with superb attention to detail in the fabrication. I'll be looking for bars like that. Where did you get yours?

sweatmachine · 02-10-2008, 06:30 PM

good job! I love these projects!

wolfgang · 02-10-2008, 07:39 PM

I love the mini-speedometer, it looks right on the bike. Nice work!

D9 · 02-10-2008, 08:07 PM

Paul,

Completely knocked out by your work - and I mean through the ceiling and out
into the cosmic beyond!

Outstanding in every respect, great design on the bracket, incredible attention to detail, great sourcing with the wiring & plugs, and the holy grail of Plug & Play to boot!

You've raised the bar - all I cans say is that it's an honor to have your skill & ingenuity on this forum...

:

I love the single mini speedo on the scrambler - talk about looking just right! IMO light years better than the bulky stock setup...

Cheers,

D9

paulhdick · 02-10-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikebits

That is a nice job with superb attention to detail in the fabrication. I'll be looking for bars like that. Where did you get yours?

Thanks for the compliment. Got the bars from ebay .. was advertised as NOS for a Yamaha DT1 and the only set the person had. I don't think they are "exactly" like the DT1 bars as these have a little more pullback than I remember.

They measure: 5 1/2"H x 33"W x 6"Total Pullback ...
The stock bars are: 3 1/2"H x 31"W x 8"Total Pullback ...

If you do a search on ebay for "NOS Handlebars" you should be able to find something similiar ... just keep looking.

Paul

paulhdick · 02-10-2008, 08:30 PM

Thanks D9,

Coming from you I take that as a great compliment. Been admiring your work (and motivation) for a few months now. Do you ever sleep??

Thanks you very much again!!
Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by D9

Paul,

Completely knocked out by your work - and I mean through the ceiling and out
into the cosmic beyond!

Outstanding in every respect, great design on the bracket, incredible attention to detail, great sourcing with the wiring & plugs, and the holy grail of Plug & Play to boot!

You've raised the bar - all I cans say is that it's an honor to have your skill & ingenuity on this forum...

:

I love the single mini speedo on the scrambler - talk about looking just right! IMO light years better than the bulky stock setup...

Cheers,

D9