microTach+ tachometer help win at Salt Flats

Team NRHS sets 3 new AMA records and fastest American V-twin (186+ mph) at the 2009 Bubs at Bonneville international speed trials held Aug 30-Sep 3, 2009.

Here is what Aaron Wilson had to say about the microTach+ Tachometer:

Your micro-tach works wonderfully!

I've never been able to get conventional electro-mechanical tachs to survive the rigors of salt flats racing. Even while they work, the needle bounces around too much to give real good feedback about just exactly what the motor is doing. And they're so large that they need to be mounted up high, which both hurts aerodynamics and makes them hard to see, you have to look at them through your eyelids when your head is down.

So this year, after my nitro bike ate yet another expensive tachometer, I decided to try one of your micro tachs. I JB-Welded it onto the left handlebar adjacent to the fork tube. It's right in my line of sight, all I have to do is glance down to see it.

I was worried I wouldn't be able to see it in the bright light of the salt flats. Well, not only could I see it fine, but it was a rock-steady readout. I was able to see exactly what the motor was doing.By having such perfect feedback about the rpm I was achieving, I was able to dial the gearing in perfectly. Gearing the motor right allowed me to just nip some very fierce competition for the "Fastest American V-Twin" prize at the 2009 International Speed Trials by Bub.

I'm getting another one for my wife's race bike. Thanks much for the great product, it solved a very big problem for me.

A big Congradulations to Aaron and his team and I am glad that Speedway Instruments could be a small part of your win!! Check out NHRS at http://www.nrhsperformance.com/

Digital version microTach may stops after 5000 rpm

I have resolved an issue with the digital version of microTach's produced before July 2009. The issue occurs on Harley bikes model 2007 or later.

Harley changed the coding on the digital bus signal in 2007. The result is that the microTach will operate normally in range 0-5000 rpm. At greater than 5000 rpm the microTach will only display the last reading of 5000 rpm, ignoring messages above 5000 rpm. (5500 on sportsters)

MicroTach's produced after July have resolved the issue and operate normally across the full range.

If you have the issue on your bike, I will replace the unit with an updated version. The simpliest method for replacement is for you to order a new digital version online at my website www.speedwayinstruments.com. Please indicate in the transaction or via email that this purchase is for replacement issue. I will ship out a new unit ASAP. Once you have the new unit; pull the old one off and replace with the new unit. Mail the old unit back to me and I will refund the full cost of the previously ordered unit. The old unit must be returned within 60 days of ordering the replacement unit in order for me to process the refund.

If you have any questions or issue please email me.

Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

Justin

microSpeed production on hold

A couple month ago, I put a hold on all microSpeed production. Primarily it was due to 3 factors.

1. Touchscreen sensitivity was not consistant in all environments
The touch screen temporarily stops working, if there is excessive moisture on display or user; if casing is touching other metal. This was causing alot of customer issues and I wanted to solve the root problem before exposing more customers.

2. I had at least one field failure of unknown cause. I suspect there was a data corruption in the internal memory. This could potentially happen if the bike was turned off while still moving.

3. I had difficulty manufacturing the units. Because the 3 digits of the display are seperate components I would sometimes get epoxy leaking in between the digits and it would look bad.

I still have some units left which I plan to use to support the ~40 customers out there using the microSpeed Speedometer in cause they have issue.

I am working on resolving these issues and moving back into production again; however I don't know exactly when that will happen.

Stay tuned if your interested

Ironheads and old style distributor

If your wondering if the microTach will work on your older distributor style motorcycle. The answer is YES. But you need to request a special tachAdapter with more filtering than the standard tach adapter that ships.

Order the standard adapter direct from www.speedwayinstruments.com then send me an email at info@speedwayinstruments.com and request a distributor version of the Speedway Instruments tachAdapter.

New Instructable!

I decided to try Instructables! It is a great DIY project sharing site.

So I made an instructable about how to install the microTach+TM tachometer on any 2004 or Later Harley-Davidson motorcycleClick here to goto their website.

Or check out the Embedded Instructable below


Install Speedway Instruments microTach tachometer on 2004-later Harley-Davidson Motorcycle - More DIY How To Projects

Make sure to leave your feedback!

Thank you,

Justin
www.speedwayinstruments.com

Updated FAQ

So I seem to be doing a really poor job of keeping this blog updated regularly. I will try todo better. A couple things to update everyone about.

1. I updated the FAQ to include info about the microSpeed speedometer. Especially of interest is about the touchscreen interface.

2. Last month seemed like a really bad month for folks with standard version microTach and tachAdapters. I talked to a few guys having trouble with the tach jumping around (ie. from 10 - 25 at idle). So I modified the tachAdapters to do more filtering and sent them out new ones. That seemed todo the trick. So if anyone else has an issue with their microTach jumping around please let me know and I will send out a new tachAdapter.

3. All new shipments of tachAdapters will have increased filtering.

Thanks everyone for their feedback and support

Justin

microSpeed videos now on YouTube

I am slowly making progress getting the microSpeed Speedometer published. I made 4 video's for the microSpeed speedometer.
1. On the Road
2. Normal Operating mode
3. odometer Pre-set
4. Calibration and Configuration

I am also working on getting the product page up on www.speedwayinstruments.com. I expect to have something by next week.

Check out the videos on the Speedway Instruments Channel of YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/user/SpeedwayInstruments