I am planning on swapping my front end with a GSXR front end on a 1990.  How do you hook up the speedometer cable? 
Is it possible to take the digital cluster from a GSXR and wire it into the system on the GS?  I know the GSXR speedometer works off
of a notched front sprocket nut.  Is it possible or does everyone that puts on a gixxer front end just go without the speedometer?   

Quote from: codybuehler on April 10, 2009, 11:20:23 AM
I am planning on swapping my front end with a GSXR front end on a 1990.  How do you hook up the speedometer cable? 
Is it possible to take the digital cluster from a GSXR and wire it into the system on the GS?  I know the GSXR speedometer works off
of a notched front sprocket nut.  Is it possible or does everyone that puts on a gixxer front end just go without the speedometer?   

Probably highly non trivial to make the GSXR gauge work. The electronics would have to be modified and unless you're very sure of what you're doing, I wouldn't attempt it. You will probably just have to figure out how to fit the speedo drive to the new wheel and then work out some kind of bracket for the old gauge cluster. You could also go for one of the generic digital gauge clusters that just uses a magnet glued to the wheel for speed sensing...

i didn't even think into looking into the generic digital clusters.  that would solve pretty much all the problems associated with switching the forks. 
thanks for the input!

Slow your roll Cody

I'm assuming that you will be using the GSXR's front rim...



<Using the GS speedo>

The speedos on the 1990 GSXR's work just like the GS's do.  They're mechanical.  I haven't hooked up a GSXR speedo-drive to a GS speedo-gauge yet but i assume they'll play nice together without any problems.  Somebody with first hand knowledge please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.  And the only thing of note that i see is you can only use the GSXR's speedo-drive because the GS's unit is made for a smaller axle diameter than the GSXR front rim has.


<Using the GSXR speedo>

GSXR speedo-drive with a GSXR speedo-gauge...  No issues there 


<Using the GS tach>

Using the GS tach with the GS motor is also no brainer.


<Using the GSXR electronic tach>

The tach on the 90 GSXR is a 3 wire electronic unit.  One wire is for a, "switched on" source.  The second is for a, "ground".  And the third is for a, "signal".  That's at least how i understand it at the moment but i may be wrong.  Again, if someone has the correct first hand info please feel free to correct me.  The, "signal" wire will be hooked up to the input side on one of the coils or some other pre-output wire on the ignition system.  Whether or not this, "signal" will give the tach the correct info to accurately report the RPM's remains to be seen.  If it doesn't, i do believe there are aftermarket products that may be able to correct the problem without buying a whole new generic digital cluster.



<The real issue with using the GS speedo and tach>

Mounting.  The GS gauge cluster is not designed for use with the GSXR's top triple tree.  Can you do something with it?  Sure.  But you won't simply be bolting it on.


<The real issue with using the GSXR's speedo and tach>

You probably don't have one.  And that unknown issue with the tach.  Other than that, if you have the brackets for them they bolt on.  Personally, i like the look of them over the GS's.


<Using the GS gauges inside of the GSXR's cluster>

Not sure if it would work but it's also a option if all else fails.



<<<About the, "generic digital clusters"...>>>

I'm not against them.  I just wanted to make sure you realize they aren't your only choice here.  You still have to mount the thing, install magnets on the front wheel hub to get the speedo to work, and also hook up an electronic tach.  The mounting will be easier than modifying the GS cluster to work, but not easier than using a GSXR cluster.  The speedo install will not be easier or much worse i suppose than using a GS or GSXR unit.  The electronic tach may very well be easier than using the GSXR's unit because it's designed to be, "generic" and work with whatever the design/manufacturer desired.

With that being said, here's a link to a gauge manufacturer that makes some pretty cool stuff  http://www.kosonorthamerica.com/


Have fun, Bob!

Yeah, koso gauges are nice. I like the way some of their gauge packages work. I was going to buy one, but now I'm leaning to just making one from scratch. I work with a bunch of electrical and mechanical engineers and I'm a computer scientist, so I'm sure I could figure it out with some help form my coworkers...

Quote from: fred on April 12, 2009, 07:38:07 PM
Yeah, koso gauges are nice. I like the way some of their gauge packages work. I was going to buy one, but now I'm leaning to just making one from scratch. I work with a bunch of electrical and mechanical engineers and I'm a computer scientist, so I'm sure I could figure it out with some help form my coworkers...

That's pretty cool.

I'll take one too please.

Make mine have the speedo and tach all in one 3" housing.

And make the gauge lightning change color at a selectable shift point...

Need a product designer?


Thanks, Bob!

Quote from: Big Shot on April 12, 2009, 08:07:46 PM

Quote from: fred on April 12, 2009, 07:38:07 PM
Yeah, koso gauges are nice. I like the way some of their gauge packages work. I was going to buy one, but now I'm leaning to just making one from scratch. I work with a bunch of electrical and mechanical engineers and I'm a computer scientist, so I'm sure I could figure it out with some help form my coworkers...

That's pretty cool.

I'll take one too please.

Make mine have the speedo and tach all in one 3" housing.

And make the gauge lightning change color at a selectable shift point...

Need a product designer?


Thanks, Bob!

Colors and stuff are fun, but the main things I want out of homebrew digital gauges are daylight readability, some customization (what data and where is it displayed) and some telemetry data. I think it would be fun to record stuff like engine speed and bike speed while riding around. I was also thinking of possibly getting a bit more fancy and tossing GPS and IMU units on the bike from Spark Fun to get even more exciting data. I do a fair amount of computer vision work, so I think it would be pretty easy to write a bit of software to sync the telemetry data with video recording so I could do ride videos with gauges like this: http://jalopnik.com/5177206/exclusive-ken-blocks-100-acre-wood-rally-in+car-footage

It would be super cool to replace the boost gauge on that video with a lean angle indicator.

That video always makes me wonder: would I drive better if there was an Italian guy yelling turn information at me all the time?

i will be using the entire gsxr front end if i can.  wheel, brakes, trees, etc.  i've read you need to modify the steering stem?  press in and press out if i am correct.  little more to it than that, but basically thats how it will go. 

Instead of being hunched over like most sportbikes are, (i am a current gsxr600 owner) i was debating getting a Spiegler top crown bar system.  exactly the same as the setup the gs has now, but designed for a gsxr fork set.  Instead of the bars being attached to the fork tubes, they are on the top crown.

How bad does putting an inverted fork set on the gs fare for handling?  does it completely change the rake and make handling way different? 

i looked into Koso gauges and a few fit exactly what i was looking for.  mainly the universal fit ones. 

measure the fork length.....if they are about the same....handling will not be adversely affected

Unfortunately i can't immediately answer your questions in regards to the steering stem.  The GSXR FE that i'm using was already modded for use on the GS before i got to it.  I simply can't tell you what was done to it, if anything, to make it work.  I also don't have a known stock stem which i can compare mine too either.  But If you can post some detailed pictures with measurements of the stock one you have, i will be able to offer more help.

As far as pressing out the stem and pressing it back in, can you link me the source you have for that info?  The reason why i ask is the stem that i'm using is definitely a GSXR stem so other than making machining/modding it easier if needed, i see no reason to take it out of the bottom triple...


- Bob!

http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id11.html

heres the link.

being able to use the gsxr stem makes things a whole lot easier!

The last paragraph from that article says that the 88-90 GSXR FE's will bolt on, but you'll need to figure out how to mount the headlight and gauges...

That makes sense with what i've encountered...

Basically, it's a walk in the park...


- Bob!

i haven't researched it much, but do the 88-90 gsxr fe's have inverted or conventional forks? 

What makes the newer gsxr trees unable to fit the head of the GS500?  By newer i mean 2004 to now. 
is the steering tube larger?

GSX-R750 (L) 1990 - This was the first GSX-R to be fitted with inverted forks as standard (USA models retained the conventional forks until 1991).

Found the above info here...  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GSX-R750


I have no idea about the 2004+ models, maybe someone else can chime in on that...


- Bob!