Adding a temperature gauge
 

Has anyone successfully added a temperature gauge to a naked curvy and been pleased with the results?

There seem to be a few after market “nail-on� gauges available, but they seem a bit of a mess. All I want is some indication that the bike is warm enough to give it some welly. I often do short journeys (2-3 miles) and tend to err on the side of caution so sometimes do not get to enjoy myself for fear of killing the engine if it’s still below temperature.

Obviously lots of short journeys will not do it the power of good anyway so last thing I want to do is give it even more stress by over-revving it before the important bits have got up to temperature.

I assume I could replace the thermostat that drives the over-heat LED and fan controller with one that has a variable output, or alternatively I’ve seen one that screws in place of the oil filler cap and actually measures the oil temperature which at the end of the day is more important than the water.

Not too bothered if it is a truly calibrated scale or just a 5-segment LCD so that I know it’s warm enough to have some fun.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Or do I just give it 5 minutes and go for it?

Re: Adding a temperature gauge
 

If you replace the sensor on the front of the engine to a variable one then how would you still control the normal LED on the dash.

I know the TLs have a sensor on radiator to control the fan. And the oil temp is actualy indicated on dash. So just slightly diffrent from the SV but mabey an idea there of what could be done.

This any use ?

From SVrider.com(Tips and Tricks/how to's)



Tips & Tricks / How to's
Installing a temperature gauge on your SV 650.
Date: Wednesday, August 23, 2000
From: Tom Bartels
Use a Auto Meter Brand # 2532 12volt w/light. use a dash mounting bracket and mount it on the side of speedo remove chrome cover to bolt to the gray plastic replace cover. Remove the sending unit for the red overheat light at the thermostat housing & install the sending unit for temp gauge same threads. Locate a switched 12 volt wire & follow installation sheet.

Tom Bartels

Cheers
Ben

The easiest way is to get a Moto-Detail temp gauge from MPS. Try 'oil temperature gauge' in the search facility. These screw into your oil filler hole instead of the plug.

About £25, and takes 1 minute to fit yet you still have the dash indicator.
It can be removed and used on your next Suzuki (should you be foolish enough to move on from the SV :wink: ).

Or do you want something up in easy view all the time?

Ideally I'm looking for something I can mount by the existing clocks so I can keep an eye on it. You can get a few from custom builders and boat fitters, but they are generally designed to go into a dash so the back end of them (usually hidden) looks a bit "industrial". I'm sure there must be something out there that does not cost a fortune and will do the job.

The only real mountable options seem to consist of me nailing a bit of plywood with a hole in it which would somewhat spoil the look of the bike. Maybe some carbon-look plywood would lend it a sportier finish? :roll: