Idle hands: assorted projects

[datsunfreak]

On 3/11/2025 at 9:43 PM, UnderControl said:

 

 

Clicked the easy button for this project, but it's quickly become the standard for re-wiring old bikes. Planning to stick with original switches, although I'll need to source a replacement for the right side. Otherwise I'd like to get the headlight mount and front signals swapped out and probably call it good there for this go around.

 

 

I would love to know how this goes. Rewiring is one of the things keeping me from building an old bike. I'm not scared to rewire a car, but a bike is a bit intimidating...

 

Also, is the one you are using the version with bluetooth keyless start? 

Edited March 13 by datsunfreak

[datsunfreak]

They make some killer switchgear too! 👍

 

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/motogadget-m-switch-switch-housing-for-78-bars?rrec=true

 

This information could be dangerous... for me...  😆

[UnderControl]

They sure do, and some of the best looking indicators on the market. Considered a full set of just the indicators would set me back more than I have into the m.unit and wire kit, I'll skip those for now. Keeping the original switches does mean I either have to get a little clever about the wiring, or learn to live with slightly different functionality.

 

This is just the basic version, it's discontinued, but floating around at some retailers/eBay. the wiring kit is from revival cycle. I don't want an app for every little thing, and as far as I know the app is 90% for doing the base configuration. It can also be used like a key, but so does my key or any other RFID device you could want. The alarm feature can notify your phone, but only in Bluetooth range so really limited.

Edited March 13 by UnderControl

[UnderControl]

Got started on making the proper tray.

 

 

[datsunfreak]

18 hours ago, UnderControl said:

Keeping the original switches does mean I either have to get a little clever about the wiring, or learn to live with slightly different functionality.

 

This is my concern. We've rewired a lot of cars, but the one time we did a Datsun and tried to use all of the OE switches, it was a mess trying to get them to function exactly as they did stock. We just went to all aftermarket switches after that. 

[UnderControl]

If it helps the manual makes it sound like classic Japanese bikes are the only problematic switches. At this point m unit installs on basically anything are well documented, and with aftermarket switches should be basically plug 'n play.

 

Funny/sad story about the harness that's in my 620. Got it from a buddy after he scrapped an mx6 project he could never get running. Took me longer than I care to admit to figure out that the Datsun ignition switch is wired differently from the Chevy switches the harness was designed for. Friend was down right angry (at himself) after I told him how I fixed it.

[UnderControl]

Electronics tray now has a hole in it.

 

 

Got started on the actual box as well. Maybe should have trimmed it up a little before starting to tack it together.

 

 

Some other parts rolled in. Maybe the most interesting of which are these cheap knockoffs of those moto gadget indicators I like.

 

 

I feel like these might be larger than the nice ones, but they are 10x cheaper and are cleaner than the stock ones. The headlight bracket will be getting replaced as well. Not sure how I feel about the white running light, but do like that the white shuts off when the amber signal is triggered. Definitely think I'll end up painting the area of the lenses that would otherwise shine toward me.

 

Clip of testing the lights.

 

https://i.imgur.com/bl6idBv.mp4

 

 

 

 

[UnderControl]

Box tacked to the tray, and hooked the starter wire up to check for fit. While it reaches with room to spare, I may still make a new one a little longer to tuck the wire behind the frame better.

 

 

I did make this a bit deeper than the cardboard version to have more room for activities. Also left the front off until I have the wiring mostly in.

 

 

Followed that up with more disassembly.

 

Edited yesterday at 02:35 AM by UnderControl

[UnderControl]

Running out of bits to remove.

 

 

This is supposed to be a quick rewire job, so I should probably actually work on the wiring part.

 

 

Got the switch wiring figured out, and it's really not all that bad to keep 99% of the original functionality, while being able to eliminate 5 wires out of the left switch. In my case I'm choosing to be ok with the kill switch being wired backwards, while being a fun joke for would be joy riders. Also got the base configuration setup.