Building My Custom Dash Display --> This Is Gonna' Take A While!

[Bill Havins]

In another thread I indicated this winter I am going to build a Custom Dashboard Display for my Valkyrie.  The work has begun! 

One of the toughest parts of taking on a project like this is finding the blinkin' connectors that Honda used in the wiring harness.  I mention this because the first thing I have to do is tap into the wiring that goes into the OEM display unit.  I'm not willing to cut into the wiring harness and cover things with electrician's tape.  So I'm building a "jumper" with "taps" built in; that will allow me to hook instruments (e.g., oscilloscope, CAN Bus "sniffer", etc.) into the wiring and the display will still be connected.  When I have all of the "data" I need I'll remove the jumper and put everything back like it was - "no harm, no foul."

To build the jumper I had to find the 24 pin connector that Honda uses to connect the wiring harness to the display.  After more than two days of searching I finally found it.  It's a 24 Pin connector made by Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Inc.  Here's the data sheet for the part - http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/206/SJ100271-25184.pdf.  I have also ordered a receptacle for the "other end" of the jumper.  And all of the crimp terminals I'll need to "populate" the connector.  But I'm finally over that hurdle!  Yippee!

I'll update this thread as I make progress.  And I'll share the data I get (like the "true" speed sensor pulse count, etc.) as I go along.

Onward and upward....

Bill

[Verismo]

Bill, you take on some of the coolest projects.   Can't wait to see the progress!

Jason

[Robert]

Try this and see if what you want is there




http://www.cycleterminal.com/motorcycle-connectors.html

https://easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Connectors/connectors.html

[Bill Havins]

Robert,

Those are great people.  I've done business with both of them.  But the connector I posted above is not on either of their sites.  Heavy sigh.

I have the JAE connector on order.  And its mating parts.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Bill

[Bill Havins]

Hello to all!  Here in the U.S. many of us will sit down with family today to share a Thanksgiving meal.  Me?  Since we are, er, older, and since the kids and their families have distant family functions, I'll be working my part time gig from 4:30 this afternoon until midnight-thirty.  Then it's back to work at 7:45 tomorrow morning.  Covering for others can be a bit wearing at times.  Oh well.

Regarding the Dash Display - the CAN bus on our bikes, uhmmm...  It doesn't do a thing.  It would appear that Honda used a Goldwing F6B(?) wiring harness on our scooters.  It includes a 12 pin connector hidden under the left radiator cowl; this connector is designated as an "optional" audio connector.

As far as I can tell, the CAN bus from the Combination Meter on our bikes is the source of the CAN bus.  The Combination Meter communicates with the "optional" audio connector - that's all.  So, it is meant to communicate vehicle speed information to an "optional" audio device so the audio device can adjust its volume as vehicle speed increases/decreases.  Okay then.  CAN bus is a "none issue."

The design process continues.  I am really pleased with where it's heading.  I'll reveal more when the concept is complete - this one may go commercial.

Bill

[pago cruiser]

Hey Bill,
Sounds like an interesting project - don't know where you are going with this, but I have figured out that the F6B wiring harness is way different that the Valk.  The ECU is different as well.  I also wondered what that "audio" plug was for.

If you need more than a few extra bits and pieces, there are used F6B wiring harnesses on ebay - but none (yet...) for the Valk.  Good luck with the project!

[Robert]

Good news about the can bus line that should make things a bit easier. Just wondering if there is a scanner that the factory uses and if you can pickup on all the ins and outs from a connector that the factory has. The interface at that point would only be a software issue.