Instruments/Clocks Alternatives

[Skybone]

OK, so I don't own a TRX just now, but currently actively looking for one, preferably standard, that may well possibly become "cafe racer'd" in the not too distant future.

I know the "Cafe Racer" thing is starting to be kind of like the "Streetfighter" thing in the late 90's, where everyone who was anyone was "Streetfightering" their bikes in one way or another. But I'm not that bothered, I always have, and always will love the look of the Caff Racer, my first bike on passing my test many moons ago was in fact a grey import SRX600 (single front disc MkII version), and I think that the TRX would make a fantastic looking retro Caff Racer when done well, as some of the pics on here prove. Anyway...

I was wondering what alternative instrument/clock arrangements were available, and more importantly, how to fix them in place. Thing is, I'm no fan of digital clocks, especially for a caff racer style bike. Are there any analogue alternative clocks or clock mountings for the standard TRX gauges that anyone knows about?

I saw a fantastic looking TRX on eBay some time ago with a set of SRX clocks fitted, which looked fantastic (especially after owning an SRX), but on reading some threads here, you'd have to sacrifice either the temp guage or rev counter. Has anyone tried fitting the clocks from a Triumph Speed Triple ('97-'01 T509/955i)?

The plan (so far) is to get another bike, take my first bike off the road over winter and get some work done on it (shock/swing arm/wheels/etc), and still have a bike on the road to ride. Then when the first is back on the road, I take No.2 off the road and "tastefully" modify it to a Cafe Racer (the plan is also to make it all hopefully reversable!) sometime next year.

[trixynut]

Anything can be made to fit, depends how much work you wanna do.
I'd be inclined to stick with Yam parts. More likely the speedo cable would work etc.
Often wondered if the nice chrome clocks of an XJR would work?
As Yams do share lots of bits, a starting point may be to see what other models use the same front wheel speedo drive as the TRX.
If you like cafe racers, google Iron and Air website in the USA, they do some tasty builds.

[tz8nnx]

If you want to go "Cafe" then you probably don't want to go digital right?
I put a square Acewell unit on - has an add-on sensor that fits in the mechanical speedo drive - when I "monsterised" my front end.. unfortunately only the newer units have the temperature gauge. I toyed with a set of later Monster clocks (often on Ebay) but the Ducati mounting didn't look like it would work on anything except a Duke.. one thing I can share though is that the Bandit 600 fork diameter is the same as the TRX, so I used the Bandit headlight carrier (need shortening and re-welding) for the Monster Headlight unit I sourced (also from eBay)... its much like the SRX headlight mount and 10000000 times better than the fork clamps that most Cafes spoil their creations - with like using Ace Bars instead of clipons .. The Clutch lever from a TDM will carry a mirror (again SRX items fit if you want it looking "factory")..
Of course you could try using an entire Bandit or Monster (if you want USD forks) front end I suppose if you want a classic look... but that goes a bit beyond changing the clocks I guess.

[misterdimwiddy]

May have been my TRX you saw on ebay a while back. It didn't sell I am pleased to say. It was either sell or put it on the track and that's what happened.

I still have SRX clocks but heavily modified to suit my bike.

I replaced the original SRX rev counter with the TRX temperature gauge and then replaced the SRX speedo with the TRX rev counter. I did use the TRX speedo in place of the tacho at one point. So now running with no speedo but my TRX doesnt see any road use. I did have to machine a ring to mount the TRX temp gauge but it looks neat when complete.



The headlight is from a 600 Diversion; a really nice chrome shell with 7" Cibie Z beam lamp, an excellent unit.

The Diversion mount was used with some cutting and welding needed but again gave a tidy result. I have not got that many pics but have added a few to give the idea.





XJR1300 chrome indicators all round went straight on. Gave a nice cafe racer type look rather then street fighter.

Now with YZF front end I have the same clocks but may well run with a fairing soon and get the original clock mount back on. I needed to CNC some split clamps to fit the fork legs to get the clocks on here.



On a different note, stumbled upon this beauty while looking through TRX pics. My wife always tells me I am stuck in the 80's when real bikes weighed 530lb dry and had a 120/80 on the rear. How I'd love to build something like this...........



If I can be of further help let me know.

[Mincehead]

Interesting beastie, GSXR 1127 over bored, smoothbore keihin`s, fireblade forks and 16" (by the look of it) front wheel. Does anyone recognise those front and rear calipers? (AP perhaps?)
The discs look like AP full floaters 320 mm, an old CB750 or 900 Bol d`or main frame and tank / seat, again modified with twin flush fit filler caps, obviously a custom sub frame.
Nice swingarm but I don`t recognise it, perhaps a modified stock box section arm off another Japanese, fantastic titanium or possibly brushed stainless exhaust system, and all in all very well put together.
A bit different too as the normal route for the GSXR motors would normally be a Kawasaki frame (Kawasuki). There`s a few nice GSXR motored Kawasuki`s up here in Scotland, one of the guys that races at my home circuit used to race a Bob Moss alloy framed varient for years, sit up and beg style, over 170 brake from the Y.P.E tuned motor. He still has it although it`s not been raced for a few years now.
Bob`s made some lovely Kawasuki`s, here`s one that was up for sale a while back, read through the description on the add.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... true&rt=nc

[Skybone]

May have been my TRX you saw on ebay a while back. It didn't sell I am pleased to say. It was either sell or put it on the track and that's what happened.

I still have SRX clocks but heavily modified to suit my bike.

I was very, very tempted by that bike, but didn't have any available fundage to try my luck (plus I'd not mentioned my idea to SWMBO at that point!). Wish I'd kept my SRX now though (even though it was a complete bugger to start! ). Have limited fundage now, and just waiting to hear back on a bike within budget (fingers crossed).

If you want to go "Cafe" then you probably don't want to go digital right?

Thing is, I'm no fan of digital clocks, especially for a caff racer style bike. Are there any analogue alternative clocks or clock mountings for the standard TRX gauges that anyone knows about?

I have seen a 'fightered TRX with the original clocks, mounted on the headlight bracket on here (dixonj's black 'un), which looks like a superb idea for a Cafe style bike.