Replacing XJ Gauge cluster w/aftermarket bar mount gauge question

[justme1100]

I searched to no avail so I am asking if anyone has removed a XJ gauge cluster and replaced it with basic speedo and tach gauges. I want to lose it and possibly go with a small diameter round gauge style. Not sure what brand I want or need yet as this is just a late night thought. I have already modified my dash somewhat and swapped out those supposedly adjustable bars for some that are more comfortable for me (see my pics) I am considering a bar mounted speedo and tach to complete the look I want. Any suggestions? Comments? Thanks for indulging me.

[petejw]

mikesxs has some guages
mite be something there for u,
heres a link

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-46.html#products

[justme1100]

Thanks for the link but I am not so much looking for gauges at this point but wondering if there are any negatives to this, such as causing problems with normal operation. I would not think so but as my ol' Ma says "Never assume anything!" So again I ask has anyone done this and what if any problems were encountered. I would like to keep the gas gauge too.

[Prothec]

I can't imagine you would have operational issues. The only thing I can think that isn't passive is the signal from the tach to cancel the turn signal.

I'm pretty sure I've run my XJ without the cluster on the bike.

[crazy steve]

Thanks for the link but I am not so much looking for gauges at this point but wondering if there are any negatives to this, such as causing problems with normal operation. I would not think so but as my ol' Ma says "Never assume anything!" So again I ask has anyone done this and what if any problems were encountered. I would like to keep the gas gauge too.

I'll assume that one reason you want to replace the gauges is to change out that 85MPH speedo.. Have you seen this?
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10584

Changing to aftermarket gauges on any of the XS/XJ bikes is a chore for a variety of reasons. Yamaha used an oddball speedo drive ratio and there's almost no cable-driven aftermarket units available with the right ratio, including most of the ones MikesXS lists (yes, I know they claim they'll work, but they won't be anywhere close to accurate). A generic electronic unit will work, the type that uses a new sending unit. The tach is just as bad; Yamaha's gets it's signal from the raw AC output from the alternator and no aftermarket units work like that. There's been speculation that a aftermarket ignition-driven tach may work, but I'm not aware of anybody who has successfully made one work on these bikes.

The XJ has a much more complicated electrical system over the XS because of that 'monitoring' system (that includes your fuel gauge). If you remove that, you will lose the fuel gauge, and you may have to do some rewiring of the lighting systems as well. The ignition/charging systems will be unaffected.

[justme1100]

Answers my questions

I'll assume that one reason you want to replace the gauges is to change out that 85MPH speedo.. Have you seen this?
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10584

Changing to aftermarket gauges on any of the XS/XJ bikes is a chore for a variety of reasons. Yamaha used an oddball speedo drive ratio and there's almost no cable-driven aftermarket units available with the right ratio, including most of the ones MikesXS lists (yes, I know they claim they'll work, but they won't be anywhere close to accurate). A generic electronic unit will work, the type that uses a new sending unit. The tach is just as bad; Yamaha's gets it's signal from the raw AC output from the alternator and no aftermarket units work like that. There's been speculation that a aftermarket ignition-driven tach may work, but I'm not aware of anybody who has successfully made one work on these bikes.

The XJ has a much more complicated electrical system over the XS because of that 'monitoring' system (that includes your fuel gauge). If you remove that, you will lose the fuel gauge, and you may have to do some rewiring of the lighting systems as well. The ignition/charging systems will be unaffected.

Thank you. This is the answer I needed. Any suggestions on how to get the warning lights to recognize the LED bulbs I have in my tail light?

[jwhughes3]

Resistor

Add a resistor(s) into the circuits that add a dummy load and the warning lights willread the now nonexistant bulbs as good and go away. LEDs don't place a heavy enough load so warning lights go out.

Kinda defeats most of reason to have LEDs but at least they generally last longer than filament bulbs.

John

[crazy steve]

.... Any suggestions on how to get the warning lights to recognize the LED bulbs I have in my tail light?

Yes, but the answer is more complicated than just reinstalling OEM lamps. The monitor system is looking for a specific load (watts used by the lamp) and the LED bulbs don't use enough. You can put a properly-sized resistor in parallel with the filament to mimic the original load, but if you're trying to save power this puts you right back where you started...

[TopCatGr58]

1) I say take the bulb out of the warning light socket. Put a mirror on the wall behind your bike in the garage, and then just check them with your EYES before you leave for your ride!

2) Rewire the warning light...put it in series with the tail light circuit so that it comes ON when you hit the brakes, then when it doesn't come on when hitting the brakes, you know to check the bulbs!?

T.C.

[justme1100]

Thanks

1) I say take the bulb out of the warning light socket. Put a mirror on the wall behind your bike in the garage, and then just check them with your EYES before you leave for your ride!

2) Rewire the warning light...put it in series with the tail light circuit so that it comes ON when you hit the brakes, then when it doesn't come on when hitting the brakes, you know to check the bulbs!?

T.C.

1) Have done this already, and I always do. With the led I can tell just by the glow behind me on the wall.
2) To much muckin around. I was just hoping that I could get them to read without adding the resistors, guess I can live with it. I am adding heated grips and wanted to save power where I can. Thanks. Any suggestions aboutt HID lighting? Will it mess with the headlight reserve unit?

[crazy steve]

...Any suggestions about HID lighting? Will it mess with the headlight reserve unit?

Besides the fact that all the 'HID conversions' you see are illegal in every state except for certain purpose-built high-buck $400+ units, yes, it will screw up the lighting reserve unit. And it's not a simple bypass on the XJ; you'd have to pretty much rewire the whole headlight circuit...

[justme1100]

Guess I will just stick with my "off road" bulb (100w high beam) then. Thanks

[Rubin]

I have installed HID on my XJ as well. I had installed it with the plans on removing the RLU after I tested the new unit, and since the low beam worked well I never removed the RLU. The high beam does not work well, but after commuting between 100 and 200 km a day, I have not found the need for the high beam. This is one of the best changes I have made on this bike. I still plan on rewiring the RLU to bypass it, but I have not had the energy just yet.

For the gauges, I also plan on doing this at the end of the summer. I still look for something that will work as a drop in, but I had thought I could use the 60:2240 ratio unit. I am hoping this is true, as I found a few online like this.