KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: KXcam22 on June 21, 2006, 04:03:12 PM
-
I'm sure a few members already have one of these bicycle computers installed, but I thought I would post this for those who haven't seen one. I could have used some tips.
A bicycle computer makes for a cheap, easy and accurate way keep track on your ride. I installed this one last year and it has been great. A bit depressing at times, since it tells you exactly how (& how far) you rode and not how you "thought" you rode. Cost about $15 for the computer and a buck for some super magnets. Here's how:
Get a computer that goes to 100mph. Some don't go that high but your KX500 does. A wireless one would be easier but all the ones I looked at said 24" max sensor to computer and I needed nearly 48". I should have tested one but didn't. I mounted the computer to my crossbar pad with a strip of velcro.
Use a small neodymium supermagnet; Took me a week to find one. I drilled a depression (not a hole) in the disk with a 3/8" drill, filled it with JB weld and stuck the magnet in. Very secure.
I soldered some old headphone (small 2 conductor) wire to the sensor wire to extend it and then ran it in a piece of teflon sensor pipe (the kind used for a auto mechanical oil pressure guage) parallel, and taped to the brake line. The teflon pipe ends almost at the brake reservoir and the wire jumps across to the crossbar pad.
Sensor mounting was the only tricky part. Took me 3 tries at making a bracket before I got one that put the sensor close enough to the magnet. I used a "U" shaped aluminum strip that bolts to the brake line mount. It's well protected in this position. The sensor is taped to the other side of the "U". Calibrate the computer for your wheel circumference and you are done. Enjoy. Cam.
-
Cam, that is the sweetiest mod I've seen. An excellent job! That would have to be a mod done to my KX... when I get another one. :-)
-
Nice job! It's the coolest feeling whan you fab something clean and functional that no one else offers!! You need to contact Destry's team for a team mechanic position!!!!
-
Cam, cool idea. Any money saved is money earned. Like getting your house paid off. Once I did that my wallet started to look like I was working a second job. If you have any more money saving ideas we WILL listen.
Danger
-
Cam, as usual you come up with great stuff! :-D
Thanks Alan :-D :-) :-D :-)
-
Dead link removed.
This could help.
( This post modified by Admin., reason: Dead link removed, live link installed. )
http://www.terrycable.com/
-
kxcam22
your either really smart or have alot of time on your hands but great idea ill def put it to use this summer!
-
If your not smart I don't think you could come up with a good idea like cams with all the time in the world.
-
what kind of computer did u use??????
-
I have a question for this, how do you calibrate it!? I have a bicycle spedometer I've had laying around for a while and would like to use it for an enduro this coming weekend but I have no papers for calibration. Maybe someone can help me out?
-
Roll the wheel to align the magnet with the sensor. Put a chalk mark on the tire where it meets the ground and a mark on the ground. Roll your bike forward one full revolution until the line on the tire is on the ground again (sensor and mag should be in alignment again) make a line on the ground. Measure the distance between the lines on the ground. That gives you the distance for each revolution.
-
Hey ebers17, are you riding the Scrub Pine enduro in NJ?
-
Hey thanks for the help guys, I'm going to sort it all out thursday so I'll let you guys know how I make out!
Flyin Hawaiian, I'm going to ride the Wayne County Enduro in Fairville, NY. Its co-sanctioned with NETRA so you might know some people coming up this way maybe if your from the NJ area