1984 Interstate going naked

From basic novice to the hard core cutomizing. Sharing tips, tricks and knowledge. Feel
free to ask question or give us your "2 cents".

Moderators: sunnbobb, Neil, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Gashog
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:07 am
Location: NW Florida

1984 Interstate going naked

#1

Post by Gashog »

I have a 1984 1200 Interstate that I am thinking about stripping naked. I know the instrument cluster is not going to work without building some kind of good looking housing. I have the gauges and complete pod from a Honda V45 Magna. After calculating the number of wheel rotations in a mile of the two front wheels, I found the difference is about 1 1/2 rotations. I think that is close enough to be usable. Both are electronic tachometers. The Magna pod has a water temp gauge, the rest are idiot lights. Has anyone tried this pod on a 1200 naked conversion?
s-l1600 (7).jpg
s-l1600 (7).jpg (61.82 KiB) Viewed 476 times
s-l1600 (3).jpg
s-l1600 (3).jpg (58.18 KiB) Viewed 476 times
User avatar
Gashog
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:07 am
Location: NW Florida

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#2

Post by Gashog »

I am a mathematical idiot. The difference in tire rotations in a mile is actually about 19 rotations. Had to get that last cup of coffee in me this morning to see my mistake.
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31305
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#3

Post by rcmatt007 »

the 1200 interstate has a mechanical speedo/tach. you can use one off an 1100 as it is nearly identical to the 1200 standard speedo/tach
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
User avatar
Gashog
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:07 am
Location: NW Florida

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#4

Post by Gashog »

But,,,But,,, I already have this one. Some call me cheap. The other people agree.haha
User avatar
Gashog
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:07 am
Location: NW Florida

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#5

Post by Gashog »

1984 GL1200I has electric tach and mechanical speedo same as the Magna dash I have. Speedo cable has same end, the only problem I see is the different wheel diameter.
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31305
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#6

Post by rcmatt007 »

you are right, the tach on our 86 is electric. remember when you calculate the wheel diameter it is with the tyre mounted, not just the size of the wheel without tyre
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#7

Post by Track T 2411 »

I may be wrong, but I think you will find that the speedos themselves have the same ratio, and the differences are in the speedo gearbox...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
User avatar
Gashog
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:07 am
Location: NW Florida

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#8

Post by Gashog »

I hope that's right on the speedometer ratio being the same. I looked up both tire sizes and the circumferences. My math has gotten a little rusty in my old age. At 63 I still think I am 18 sometimes. Hoping this will work since I already have it. Cash is tight. They both use the same speedo cable. The rest is just tracing the wires to the idiot lights and hopefully the temperature gauges are the same.
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#9

Post by Track T 2411 »

The good thing is that Honda just loves to use the same parts for different bikes and years. You might find that much of the wiring colors even match...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
User avatar
Gashog
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:07 am
Location: NW Florida

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#10

Post by Gashog »

I know the speedometer faces look very similar.
s-l1600 (2).jpg
s-l1600 (2).jpg (47.58 KiB) Viewed 428 times
s-l1600 (7).jpg
s-l1600 (7).jpg (61.82 KiB) Viewed 428 times
Shadowjack
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 654
Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 11:07 am

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#11

Post by Shadowjack »

Honda has had standardized wiring colors since the beginning. They had to keep adding colors with new circuits, but the basics are all the same. The cluster colors will match.
Honda speedos generally run 5-7% high, although I'm not sure about the odometer. You might be within the margin of error.
I wish I'd seen this before I spent last winter adapting an '84 Interstate tach into a CB900C housing. Still not done...
User avatar
Gashog
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:07 am
Location: NW Florida

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#12

Post by Gashog »

I had thought about that with this setup. Then I decided that they should read the same as both are four cylinders. Just a dab of red paint at 7500 rpm will make me happy. Now I am wondering what else I can steal off of the Magna. Coils? Ignition box? Voltage Reg/Rectifier? Fenders? Headlight? Lots of possibilities. Maybe even the gas tank-open it up underneath.
00V0V_iYDwt0fPXIN_600x450.jpg
00V0V_iYDwt0fPXIN_600x450.jpg (48.3 KiB) Viewed 409 times
User avatar
Easter
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2999
Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
Location: South of Houston 100 miles

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#13

Post by Easter »

I have a BMW speedo I was thinking of installing on one of my builds. Connections are the same as GL but would they have the same ratio? I don't know but the way I tested was to put a fresh battery in my DeWalt drill and clamp it onto the speedometer cable, then run it at full power from the drill. Both the stock GL speedo and the BMW speedo registered 40mph. So my conclusion was that the DeWalt runs at 40mph with a full battery. :flamer
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
User avatar
Gashog
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:07 am
Location: NW Florida

Re: 1984 Interstate going naked

#14

Post by Gashog »

That sounds like a great idea. I think I might check my Makita and see if it will beat your Dewalt-haha It is a really good idea. I will do that. Thanks.
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing UnderGround CustomiZing”