Fixing a Temperature meter/gauge/monitor for bikes that do not come with it (Eg: S4)

[koxie]

Get a Digital/Analog Temp meter.It should come with a sensor and all.There are 2 way to do it.the easy way and the hard.The easy way is the secure the sensor onto yur coolant hose.It the most simple way to do it,but the reading wont be accurate +-5 to 10degree.But if u wan do a good job,u need to cut yur coolant hose,get a "T" sensor adapter,put the sensor into the adapter,then insert back into yur cut coolant hose.Tighten both end with SS safety ring.And yur done!The hard part is finding a right size "T" sensor for a tight fit.

[gohjohan]

Ok, I just visited Motorworld earlier and saw the Digital meter IvikaRazI mentioned.

Yeah.. its not cheap. The guy there quoted me $280 for the meter, including installation but excluding the temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor is out of stock at the moment. Said to cost about $60-80. This sensor will measure the temperature by intersecting your radiator and radiator hose.

So in total, it looks like it's gonna cost between $340-$360.

 

BUT.. before I left, the guy showed me another device. This one should be made in Taiwan if I'm not wrong. Its not as high-tech as the $280 display. This small one displays only the temperature and it comes together with a sensor. Best of all, this kit only costs $60 including installation! Cheap and good. Just nice for what I want too.

 

BUT... this sensor is not installed between the radiator and radiator hose. It is to be fixed at the place where the S4's original temperature sensor is. The PROBLEM is..... urghh... this sensor is slightly longer than the S4's original sensor... and the mechanic was unable to get the sensor screwed on. After trying in vain for sometime, he proposed that I either wait and get the more expensive display and sensor, or I bring my bike another day (I reached MW at 7pm+ just now), he try to help me diy/mod the sensor to fix it between the radiator and radiator hose.

 

So now I'm back at home contemplating my options. I guess if the $60-80 sensor stock comes in, maybe I'll buy the $60 taiwan kit, and pair it with the $60-80 sensor? It wont be as cheap, but its still as good? Hmmm....

 

Motoworld can do it? I should have asked them. I'm using a Koso temp gauge to do on my bike but I haven't got the accurate reading 'cos I tried to couple the thermosensor wire and my Koso temp gauge wire together but without success. In the end, I place the sensor at the bottom of the radiator cap and it's a bit more accurate but obviously not accurate enough.

 

I'll go back to Motoworld one day if I got off day again

[exige]

Get a Digital/Analog Temp meter.It should come with a sensor and all.There are 2 way to do it.the easy way and the hard.The easy way is the secure the sensor onto yur coolant hose.It the most simple way to do it,but the reading wont be accurate +-5 to 10degree.But if u wan do a good job,u need to cut yur coolant hose,get a "T" sensor adapter,put the sensor into the adapter,then insert back into yur cut coolant hose.Tighten both end with SS safety ring.And yur done!The hard part is finding a right size "T" sensor for a tight fit.

 

hehe, i couldnt agree with you more. I guess have to try to see if anyone at MW can help? Have been too busy with work and stuff to go down to MW recently..

 

Motoworld can do it? I should have asked them. I'm using a Koso temp gauge to do on my bike but I haven't got the accurate reading 'cos I tried to couple the thermosensor wire and my Koso temp gauge wire together but without success. In the end, I place the sensor at the bottom of the radiator cap and it's a bit more accurate but obviously not accurate enough.

 

I'll go back to Motoworld one day if I got off day again

 

Hello gohjohan, do you have any picts of your temp gauge and how you did it? Yea, its probably not too acurate, but I guess it should be able to give a good enough for simple use? ie: to check if engine is overheating, or too cold, etc..

[koxie]

hehe, i couldnt agree with you more. I guess have to try to see if anyone at MW can help? Have been too busy with work and stuff to go down to MW recently..

 

 

 

Hello gohjohan, do you have any picts of your temp gauge and how you did it? Yea, its probably not too acurate, but I guess it should be able to give a good enough for simple use? ie: to check if engine is overheating, or too cold, etc..

 

if u dont mind to DIY yourself,i could get an analog temp meter,sensor,"T" valve for u.as for the temp meter the size is slightly bigger then those analog volt meter.

[Iceachilles]

hehe, i couldnt agree with you more. I guess have to try to see if anyone at MW can help? Have been too busy with work and stuff to go down to MW recently..

 

 

 

Hello gohjohan, do you have any picts of your temp gauge and how you did it? Yea, its probably not too acurate, but I guess it should be able to give a good enough for simple use? ie: to check if engine is overheating, or too cold, etc..

 

I went down yday to mw to check it out but they have not fabricated something to modify the sensor part. Another option I have in mind is what some bro here suggested to slice the coolant hose and insert a adaptor but problem is finding the right size adaptor. MOst places I went are meant for cars and too big to fit into ours. Alot of places change tone as you mentioned its for bike. The pic I attached is only for reference. Once you see the pic you roughly will know what I mean. The smallest I found is 26mm in diameter. Anybody knows the inner diameter of the fat hose below the carb?

[biting_point]

you can probably modify a digital temperature meter to read off the temperature from the bike. It will not be difficult but it will test your DIY skill and squeeze your brain juice.

 

An easier method and also not too expensive is to get the get the Trailtech Vapor Meter.

http://trailtech.net/adventure_vapor_kits.html

 

It comes standard with a temperature kit for water-cool bikes. It will involve cutting your radiator hose, and insert a T-joint in which the sensor is located, and wire in to the meter, you will have temperature reading on the Vapor meter. You can also set the upper temperature reading so that it will warn you when it reaches that level.

 

For air-cool bikes, there are other temperature sensor kits but these must be bought separately. There is kit to tap temperature from the spark plugs, from the engine oil, etc.

 

 

had been using Vapor for my Super4.. after which i transferred it to my DRZ.. and had fixed at least 20 over Vapors on DRZs..

 

it's easy to install and cleans up your S4 meter cluster..

 

there's many different sensors for you to use.. i rem there's one for the sensor to replace directly.. but i used the sensor that needs to cut the rad hose, i cut my Samco hoses that time to fit in the sensor..

[koxie]

I went down yday to mw to check it out but they have not fabricated something to modify the sensor part. Another option I have in mind is what some bro here suggested to slice the coolant hose and insert a adaptor but problem is finding the right size adaptor. MOst places I went are meant for cars and too big to fit into ours. Alot of places change tone as you mentioned its for bike. The pic I attached is only for reference. Once you see the pic you roughly will know what I mean. The smallest I found is 26mm in diameter. Anybody knows the inner diameter of the fat hose below the carb?

 

hmm let me know the inner diameter also.see if i can get my hand on it. =)

[Iceachilles]

had been using Vapor for my Super4.. after which i transferred it to my DRZ.. and had fixed at least 20 over Vapors on DRZs..

 

it's easy to install and cleans up your S4 meter cluster..

 

there's many different sensors for you to use.. i rem there's one for the sensor to replace directly.. but i used the sensor that needs to cut the rad hose, i cut my Samco hoses that time to fit in the sensor..

 

Those kit comes with all the neccessary joints and sensors or they need to purchase separately? All the models for diff bikes but none for Honda. You cutted which hose on your S4?

[biting_point]

Those kit comes with all the neccessary joints and sensors or they need to purchase separately? All the models for diff bikes but none for Honda. You cutted which hose on your S4?

 

I still have the temp sensor with me.. i can pass it to you if you are installing the Vapor..

the hose that i cut was under the tank hidden away from view..

 

but actually S4 does have a screw for those screw type sensors of Vapor, but not sure abt the size..

[Iceachilles]

I still have the temp sensor with me.. i can pass it to you if you are installing the Vapor..

the hose that i cut was under the tank hidden away from view..

 

but actually S4 does have a screw for those screw type sensors of Vapor, but not sure abt the size..

 

Oh. so meaning to say if I buy any of this:

http://trailtech.net/adventure_vapor_kits.html

 

but I still need to buy these?

http://trailtech.net/vapor_vector_temperature_sensors.html

 

I thought it indicated comes with these:

Includes: Speed Sensor, Magnet Kit, and Temperature Sensor.

 

I think the radiator hose in-line sensor is the one that will insert into the cut original raditor hose. Futhermore must get http://www.trailtech.net/7000-1000.html the mounting too. This is a good solution for those with meter problem as it has

Speedometer

Tachometer

Temperature

Distance

Clock

Power

Model Specific Kits

More Features

[biting_point]

Oh. so meaning to say if I buy any of this:

http://trailtech.net/adventure_vapor_kits.html

 

but I still need to buy these?

http://trailtech.net/vapor_vector_temperature_sensors.html

 

I thought it indicated comes with these:

Includes: Speed Sensor, Magnet Kit, and Temperature Sensor.

 

I think the radiator hose in-line sensor is the one that will insert into the cut original raditor hose. Futhermore must get http://www.trailtech.net/7000-1000.html the mounting too. This is a good solution for those with meter problem as it has

Speedometer

Tachometer

Temperature

Distance

Clock

Power

Model Specific Kits

More Features

 

yes, you are right, the whole set comes with the temp sensors and etc..

but each kit had different sensors.. S4 should be using the 19mm ones, if in doubt can measure..

 

each kit is supplied with the mounting kit, therefore no need to buy..

 

but i would recommend to buy

http://trailtech.net/indicator_dashboards.html

 

if you are technically inclined, wiring up the indicators shouldnt be difficult..

 

look under the computers, you can actually see different parts for different bikes..

just buy the set with the correct size of temp sensor..

fixing would not be too difficult..

 

else, why not just buy the temp sensor and meter??

http://trailtech.net/tto_temperature.html

[Iceachilles]

yes, you are right, the whole set comes with the temp sensors and etc..

but each kit had different sensors.. S4 should be using the 19mm ones, if in doubt can measure..

 

each kit is supplied with the mounting kit, therefore no need to buy..

 

but i would recommend to buy

http://trailtech.net/indicator_dashboards.html

 

if you are technically inclined, wiring up the indicators shouldnt be difficult..

 

look under the computers, you can actually see different parts for different bikes..

just buy the set with the correct size of temp sensor..

fixing would not be too difficult..

 

else, why not just buy the temp sensor and meter??

http://trailtech.net/tto_temperature.html

 

Wah. Thanks Biting_point. Will check out the second options.

[pazen]

well i diy my own temperature sensor but the thing is i drilled a hole to my engine oil cap.... to insert the sensor.... the rest of it is pretty easy liao. just make sure u insert a bit can le cause when the piston runs oil will automatically splash around inside.

[gohjohan]

Hello gohjohan, do you have any picts of your temp gauge and how you did it? Yea, its probably not too acurate, but I guess it should be able to give a good enough for simple use? ie: to check if engine is overheating, or too cold, etc..

 

 

I see if I can take pic of it. A bit troublesome 'cos I have to strip the bike down a bit

[gohjohan]

Talked to my mechanic and he advised me to get a t-joint and nozzles for the sensor. I got them from Able Hose. From the link below, it's the shop with the yellow signboard. This store has the metric t-joints that most of us are using. If you go to the main shop (at Wintech Centre), they also have t-joints but only in imperial measurements.

 

http://maps.google.com.sg/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=1.328148,103.894905&spn=0.003963,0.006968&z=18&layer=c&cbll=1.328215,103.895085&panoid=iYJVH0hjW6Vnd5VNRmV1nA&cbp=12,345.56,,0,0

 

The hose that the t-joint is connected to, I think is the one that leads to the reservoir. There's another hose that might be coming from the carburettor to the thermostat but I doubt that's the one.

 

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/gohjohan/DSC_0386.jpg

 

From the picture, the golden coloured thing with white strips is the t-joint. The top part of the "T" is the sensor leading back to the gauge and the nozzles are 6mm nozzle 'cos the internal hose diameter's 6mm. I think in total, it cost $4 for the t-joint and the nozzles to connect the hose. The reading in the end is still the same as connecting on the surface of the radiator 'cos the t-joint is exposed to the outside air, so there's some cooling effect if riding late at night and in the rain.

 

I don't know if that's the correct place to put the sensor, but at least I can still get some reading.

Edited March 31, 2011 by gohjohan
Added extra info