My current two projects are for my motorcycle. They include a few moving mechanical parts, a couple of L12 actuators, and some electrical stuff (wiring, relays, DC-DC converters and switches)…
Project no.1: Flip-down licence plate
I’ve allready installed the mechanical parts here, so I’m really just waiting for the actuator to arrive. The actuator pushes a rod that is connected to the back of my licence plate. The licence plate itself is hinged at the bottom. Thus, when the actuator extends, the licence plate flips down - and of course when the actuator retracts, the licence plate flips back into normal position again. The L12 (type “i”) uses a clean 12V to power the motor, and 0-5V to control the rod position. I’ve tuned in my DC converter into giving 1,9V output, which will make the actuator extend by about 40% (just enough).
Project no.2: Laser jammer a la James Bond
This project is similar to project no.1, only this time my laser jammer will move into operating position at the flick of a switch, and then retract into a practically hidden space whenever I don’t want it to catch unwanted attention. I got hold of a simple sliding mechanism that will allow the laser jammer to move forward/downwards by about 45 degrees when the jammer is in use, and retract backwards/up (again, 45 degrees) when it’s in “stealth mode”.
I’ll post some pics as soon as I get along with the project. For the record, I have created these projects because I think it’s fun to build something that doesn’t come with an installation manual, because I’m a gadget freak, and because I love my motorcycle - NOT because I’m going to use the gadgets to try getting away with speeding or anything like that…!
I have a lot of gadgets indeed. The bike is a 1997 Honda CBR1100 XX SuperBlackbird. Check the tech details on bikez.com if you like. Here’s a list of the gadgets that I have installed (so far) :
GPS (SatNav)
Digital radio (we don’t have XM/satellite broadcast in Norway, but we do have DAB)
Comms
Walkie-talkie (8 km range)
Shiftlight (flashes whenever rpm’s exceed 10.000)
Gear indicator
Voltmeter
Ambient temp display
Heated grips
LED converted indicators front/rear
Decorative LED lights inside fairing
R/C garage door opener (two rapid pumps on the brake pedal activates it)
The switches for the flip-down licence plate, the laser jammer mechanism, the bling-bling LEDs and the heated grips are located next to the fuel tank, in front of my knees (2 swiches on each side). All four switches are rubber coated (rain proof), and the ones for the flip-down licence plate and the jammer also have little hinged protection caps over them, to prevent me from accidentally knocking them on/off.
The killswitch for the laser jammer (to kill the jamming signals) have been wired through the headlight flasher button, so that I don’t have to move my (left) hand from the handlebar to kill the jammer (thus allowing the police to get a reading on me, AFTER I’ve made sure I’m riding within the speed limit). Speed fines are insane here in Norway…!
The switch for the garage door opener is activated by two rapid pumps on the brake pedal. I only barely need to touch the brake pedal in order to activate the brake lights (which I’ve hooked a pulse modulator to, by the way)…
Finally, the Push-To-Talk switch for my walkie-talkie (small red knob) is located on my left handlebar, as you can see in pic no.1…
Yup, a whole lot of switches, that’s for sure. And a whole lot of fuses, relays and wires too, mind you!!
By the way, I’ll definately look into the “Knight rider” modification. Would be awesome if I could have conversations with my bike on those longer boring trips. Thanks for the tip!
Here’s a video that shows the flip down licence plate on my bike. I had some initial problems with controlling the Firgelli actuators, but it seems that everything is working fine now. Check it out: youtube.com/watch?v=2FGPsIkbHAQ
I’m really curious now to see the bike… send photos! Sounds James Bond-ish. Aside from the actuators, have you incorporated any other gadgets in this or previous bikes? My favorites are still the Campagna T-Rex trike and the Ariel Atom - I’d modify those inside and out.
A couple of updated photos from underneath the seat. There is no longer room for the little OEM toolbox…
The white square box contains a couple of 12V relays, a capacitator and current limiters for the Firgelli actuators. I’ve wired it so that I can operate the actuators about 15 seconds after the ignition is turned off. After that, the flip-plate automatically goes into normal position, and the lidar jammer goes stealth
