Hi All,

I've got two little projects I'm contemplating for my motorcycle:

Gear position indicator:
The motorcycle actually has a factory sensor for this, but it doesn't display anywhere (must just be used as an input to the ECU for something). As such, I'm not quite sure how to tap into this existing sensor and turn it into a display as the sensor works by having vastly different resistance readings depending on which gear is selected. Is it likely that it determines the gear position by applying a known voltage and then measuring the voltage drop?
In general, how would I start going about integrating the existing sensor into a circuit that displays a number or letter (N, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)?

Quickshifter:
For this I actually have a strain gauge sensor that is used to detect the pressure being applied to the shifter to change gear. Additionally the fuel control module installed on the bike already has a fuel cut 'quick shifter' capability - you just need to have a momentarily closed switch to short the two terminals in order to activate it. I'm thinking that a solid state relay is the key bit I would need for this....but in general, how would I go about designing a circuit that allows me to close the path of those two terminals, based on an input voltage from the strain gauge sensor?

In both cases, I'd like to use a circuit that has elements that are as robust as possible in terms of their exposure to vibration and elements, so I'm assuming solid state is what I should be thinking of...

EDIT: I'm not sure if this falls under the restricted topics category since it's more of a bolt on than a modification....not like I'm playing with an ABS system or trying to tinker with the traction control or something...

 

The owners of All About Circuits has elected not to host discussions of automotive electrical system modifications/enhancements due to safety concerns, the potential of legal ramifications and the possible circumvention of vehicle regulations at the state and federal level.

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You might find answers to your questions in one of these forums:

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=54400

Another good forum that shares many of the same membership is http://www.electro-tech-online.com/ . Good luck.