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Post by hudson on May 20, 2020 23:58:31 GMT -5
I found this promotional card on E-Bay and bought it just to get a closer look at the picture of the gauges. What is the red light next to the ignition key switch for ?There is a label just above it, but I can't read it even with magnification. All the M models I have looked at, have the smooth spot for the label above the chrome "S" logo. So my guess is a kick stand warning light maybe. The speed meter is in kilometers but it has red rear turn signal lens that I thought were early U.S. only ? Has some history on the back and shows printed in 1975.
Brian
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Post by Jess on May 21, 2020 0:14:04 GMT -5
Brian,
It is an overrev warning light. It never made it to production.
I have a cluster equipped with one in my collection.
I have never seen another.
Best,
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Post by hudson on May 21, 2020 0:37:14 GMT -5
Jess, What does the label say?
Brian
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Post by Jess on May 21, 2020 1:13:44 GMT -5
Brian,
Mine has no label, Sorry.
Best,
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Post by wayne on May 21, 2020 3:06:07 GMT -5
I've ridden an RG500 Japanese import with a similar red light. In that case, the red light was an overspeed light and apparently was a "thing" in Japan.
I can't recall what the speed was, maybe 80kph. Over that speed it lit up. A Japanese psychological deterrent to bad behaviour. While riding it, I had no idea what the light was telling me but as it wasn't part of the main instrument cluster, wasn't too worried. The owner explained it later.
Also don't know if it was government mandated.
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Post by kanonkopdrinker on May 21, 2020 6:38:45 GMT -5
NSU in their Ro80, and Mazda in their RX7, put in warning buzzers in an attempt to stop over-revving; Norton put in an ignition cut-out to prevent it …. I guess Suzuki (and Hercules) relied on the rider's vigilance?
David
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Post by hudson on May 21, 2020 9:56:28 GMT -5
Wayne, you may be onto something. On page 166 of the ( small ) service manual it shows a sensor in the speedo with yellow/red tracer wire and a connection to ground. Following it leads to a 4 wire connector under the gas tank. All of my bikes are early and have the panel mount electrical connectors -vs- free hanging connectors. This 4 wire connector is just to the right of the deceleration points relay. ( page 167) Wire colors are ( orange 12 volts ) (Black/W ground ) ( yellow/R to speedo ) ( Green/Red ends in headlight shell for the light in question maybe ) I think this 4 wire connector could have been for the relay to control a speed light. There is a single green/red wire next to the 4 wire connector that runs to the ignition key switch as parts of the warning light test position. All of the wiring harnesses I have include all of the wires but no speedo sensor, no light and no relay. Jess, I am curious of the colors of wires to the light on your cluster ? ( Orange - Green/ Red possibly) So is the picture of a proposed Japan model ? Red turn signals with Kilo Speedo ?
Brian
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Post by timpa136 on May 21, 2020 10:30:40 GMT -5
Interesting card .
I notice the parts book kick start lever and its placing.
I remember a 1971 GT-750 for Japan (from memory) with a tan, copper tank and the early intakes with a light .
With my eyes squinting, is the Oil tank labeled RE oil?? That is how I wrote a note in school and the inside headlight shell had the connector
bracket admittedly a prototype bike and paint scheme.
Hudson, you have a keen eye for detail.
Tim
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Post by charles on May 21, 2020 11:25:53 GMT -5
Remembering when. The Integrated Circuit rendered all of this superfluous. The IC may be the single most important invention of the 20th Century. "Over-rev? Let's just remap the Ignition Curve 'n stuff". We also used to read newspapers, or so I've been told by my Chat Buddies in Holland.
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Post by hudson on May 21, 2020 11:44:19 GMT -5
Tim,
I think this is the bracket you mentioned for the mounted connectors in the head light.
Brian
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Post by Jess on May 21, 2020 13:28:36 GMT -5
Never seen one of those brackets on a production bike... and I have number 3.
I have, however, seen several pop up as of late as a spare.
Best
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Post by wayne on May 21, 2020 19:34:40 GMT -5
Remembering when. The Integrated Circuit rendered all of this superfluous. The IC may be the single most important invention of the 20th Century. "Over-rev? Let's just remap the Ignition Curve 'n stuff". We also used to read newspapers, or so I've been told by my Chat Buddies in Holland. My Dad used to give hand signals for turning in our old Austin. I recall being in the car when we first saw the new fangled flipper indicators and Dad waxed lyrical about the convenience they provided. Mum would have none of it. "But what if they failed to work and you were about to turn?". Then what? Chaos and anarchy the implication.
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Post by timpa136 on May 21, 2020 22:06:01 GMT -5
Remembering when. The Integrated Circuit rendered all of this superfluous. The IC may be the single most important invention of the 20th Century. "Over-rev? Let's just remap the Ignition Curve 'n stuff". We also used to read newspapers, or so I've been told by my Chat Buddies in Holland.[/quote][/font]
Charles, I was gonna say , another over rev tactic seeing the VW reference as tiny exhaust and a tiny Carburetor. I remember going for
a ride in my neighbors transporter and there were shift marks in the speedo. It sounded like red line to me, he said that's just where to shift!
My roommate had a 66 Bug, I think, first year of the 1300. As soon as he put on a 2 BBL carb and an exhaust, he blew it up.... twice
Tim
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Post by timpa136 on May 22, 2020 22:13:10 GMT -5
NSU in their Ro80, and Mazda in their RX7, put in warning buzzers in an attempt to stop over-revving; Norton put in an ignition cut-out to prevent it …. I guess Suzuki (and Hercules) relied on the rider's vigilance? David relied on the rider's vigilance?Yes and the Suzuki mechanics and Salesman to a lesser extent had the responsibility of educating the new owner. BTW my REPU has a buzzer although I would not know. Tim
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Post by goandy on May 27, 2020 5:11:51 GMT -5
I don't need a light or buzzer for over-revving my RE5. I just listen for valve bounce.
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