Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Carbon Footprint

We've fabricated a new "dashboard" out of carbon fibre sheet.  We still need to install/drill the two "idiot lights" for hi beams and neutral as well.  The location to the right will allow clearance for the speedo drive cable (so it doesn't foul on the headlight bezel).  Our version 1.0 in aluminium can be seen above.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Wiring

While the Cafe Kids were off playing basketball (both the boys' and the girls' teams did quite well, by the way), Mr. S spent some alone time with the wiring harness on the cafe project.  The goal was to minimize the "rat's nest" of wiring that was to be tucked into the headlight bezel.  The 8-pin white block connector that can be seen needed to be eliminated, as well as a pile of extra-long wiring that was redundant, now that the handlebars were much lower.  Over the next 3 hours, wires were cut, soldered, and new "proper" bullet connectors from longtime supporter XS650 Direct were utilized.


The end result was that everything still worked, and we are able to get the lightbulb and reflector onto the headlight bezel.  The trim retaining ring is being painted (color-matched to the tail), so that will be installed later.  Next steps are fabricating a new gauge panel (out of carbon fiber sheet), installing and bleeding the front brakes, and cleaning up the wiring at the rear of the bike.  We also need to wire in the rear brake light switch in order to pass safety.  It's coming along....!