javz Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 If there is one thing I REALLY don't like about the later model 'Birds, it must be the instrumentation. The older 'Birds had it exactly right with the all-analog meters, why Honda had to go and fit the digital combination meter is completely beyond me. Has anybody ever tried retrofitting the older analog meters to a 2003 - 2007 model Balckbird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 If there is one thing I REALLY don't like about the later model 'Birds, it must be the instrumentation. The older 'Birds had it exactly right with the all-analog meters, why Honda had to go and fit the digital combination meter is completely beyond me. Has anybody ever tried retrofitting the older analog meters to a 2003 - 2007 model Balckbird? Wow. I like the newer look...wish I had it on my '99. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I don't know of anyone that's done it, but it shouldn't be a problem. There are some how-to's floating around with directions of how to put digital gauges on the older bikes, just reverse the process. One short section of harness and the year-specific temperature sensor should do it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javz Posted December 24, 2011 Author Share Posted December 24, 2011 If there is one thing I REALLY don't like about the later model 'Birds, it must be the instrumentation. The older 'Birds had it exactly right with the all-analog meters, why Honda had to go and fit the digital combination meter is completely beyond me. Has anybody ever tried retrofitting the older analog meters to a 2003 - 2007 model Balckbird? Wow. I like the newer look...wish I had it on my '99. To each his own, as they say; I just find the digital readings more difficult to interpret at a glance, and why the speedo has to be limited at 299 km/h also does not make much sense. To make matters worse, mine won't read past 180 km/h; it can be reset to read the maximum (299 km/h), but now it's an extra bother and costs, whereas the analog meters just looks good to me, and a quick glance at where the meters are pointing gives me a much better idea of what's happening. A few times I opened up my 'Bird, and once you're past the speedo's maximum reading, you have to guess at how fast you're going, by the only analog meter on the dash, i.e. the rev-counter ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceman_40 Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Never heard of anyone going from Digital to Analog before. I'd much prefer the digital myself. Is there a issue with your speedo that is only goes up to 180km/h or is it restricted somehow because of import into your country? A quick glance at the analog speedo will tell you generally how fast you are going, but if you are moving fast taking the time to read the numbers that are so close together takes much more time than glancing at the digital numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javz Posted December 28, 2011 Author Share Posted December 28, 2011 Never heard of anyone going from Digital to Analog before. I'd much prefer the digital myself. Is there a issue with your speedo that is only goes up to 180km/h or is it restricted somehow because of import into your country? A quick glance at the analog speedo will tell you generally how fast you are going, but if you are moving fast taking the time to read the numbers that are so close together takes much more time than glancing at the digital numbers. I don't think it's an issue with the import into the RSA, I've been told that I can have it reset, will try it when the next major service is due; up to now I've been living in the country, where there are plent of wide open spaces and you can indulge your need for speed, but where the proper Honda service centers are also few and far apart. Now I'm living in the city, where you need to watch what speed you're doing at all times, but where the Honda service centers are more easily found ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmacza Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Never heard of anyone going from Digital to Analog before. I'd much prefer the digital myself. Is there a issue with your speedo that is only goes up to 180km/h or is it restricted somehow because of import into your country? A quick glance at the analog speedo will tell you generally how fast you are going, but if you are moving fast taking the time to read the numbers that are so close together takes much more time than glancing at the digital numbers. I don't think it's an issue with the import into the RSA, I've been told that I can have it reset, will try it when the next major service is due; up to now I've been living in the country, where there are plent of wide open spaces and you can indulge your need for speed, but where the proper Honda service centers are also few and far apart. Now I'm living in the city, where you need to watch what speed you're doing at all times, but where the Honda service centers are more easily found ... Hi there... I'm in Midrand. Welcome to the nuthouse ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strek Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I don't know of anyone that's done it, but it shouldn't be a problem. There are some how-to's floating around with directions of how to put digital gauges on the older bikes, just reverse the process. One short section of harness and the year-specific temperature sensor should do it for you. I agree. I haven't done either conversion myself but have read one of the how to's. I seem to recall that when going from analog to digital that you also had to solder in a resistor. I think it had to do with getting an accurate reading out of the Temp or Speed but don't recall for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Para045 Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 If there is one thing I REALLY don't like about the later model 'Birds, it must be the instrumentation. The older 'Birds had it exactly right with the all-analog meters, why Honda had to go and fit the digital combination meter is completely beyond me. Has anybody ever tried retrofitting the older analog meters to a 2003 - 2007 model Blackbird? A man of like mind I have a 98 XX and always figured if I updated to a 03-07 XX I would want to swap the instruments as I prefer the analogue as well I don't know of anyone that's done it, but it shouldn't be a problem. There are some how-to's floating around with directions of how to put digital gauges on the older bikes, just reverse the process. One short section of harness and the year-specific temperature sensor should do it for you. Yeah I've seen a couple of those and it doesn't seem too hard, should actually be slightly easier possibly :icon_think: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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