Handlebar Simplification

[MotoCreations]

I've probably run the most minimal bar controls on my DesmoDevil series of bikes the past few years.  Either right side only factory switch or my own starter/hi-low.  (I use a Motogadget gauge in my headlight pod itself w/3 idiot lights)

I've just went to production with a product called "Switchlets" that are plug/play and replace the factory switchgear.  Options for right side control are starter only or starter only / kill switch.  Left side is hi-low -or- hi-low/turn signal -or- hi-low/turn signal/horn.  It's taken a bit longer to get into production as I couldn't find a high quality mil-spec switch that I know would work for years (million plus actuations) and also be sealed and that didn't also require micro-relays.  We ended up actually modifying an industrial quality switch that met our specs, but now has buttons that can easily be used with winter gloves but still look cool.  As for looks / size / etc -- nothing sticks above the bar itself and only one fastener required.  Initially will be anodized in black or silver with stainless buttons. (Polished optional)  There will be some short production runs of other colors available as we go -- there are a few surprises here!  Hopefully the first production set will be on Ducati Island at MotoGP this year on a customers S4R w/BoomTubes and then we will release to the general public -vs- internal customers I've known for years.

Due to the slimness and cool factor of the Switchlets, we are also making our own dual-media handgrips and a few other parts for the handlebars (bar ends, bar end mirrors and reservoirs).  A set of the grips are being tested now by someone who commutes on a daily basis on their Monster -- so hopefully a few more weeks and then we will  push to production also.

Pictures will be posted when something is "production ready". 

[stopintime]

I'm not sure if I should tell, but something is moving downstairs when you're telling about your new products  - a few more and I'll be done for the evening

[toaster]

im still gonna try and figure out what i can do myself.  i came up with a great idea when i pulled away one of the keys on my laptop.  it just all depends on whats underneath.  even if i cant make that work, there are lots of ways i can think of to make it happen.  only problem i will see in buying something thats available like motocreations is doing is the price. 

like his sig pic says: "what did you build today?"  and another famous quote to describe bikes: "built not bought."   i would do my best to build it myself instead of buying it.  in all honesty i didnt even plan on doing something like this until we started discussing it so much, and now its gone from a idea and helping someone into a challenge for me to figure it out myself.

[MotoCreations]

like his sig pic says: "what did you build today?" 

Definitely go for it -- and I'm saying that honestly.  It's how I got started in this industry.  A crazy idea about a "Ducati morphed into something that Harley Davidson could possibly have built if they had bought Ducati".  It wenty crazy from there and thus I had to build it from the Photoshop idea and customer deliverables that followed.

Today it is no longer about building "one off" items or projects.  It's about how to design, prototype, test and manufacture products for distribution US / Europe and Asia.  Sometimes I liked the old days much better as I only had to appease myself and didn't have to refine and test a product to death before manufacture and release to the public.

One bike to look at is Stuart's / FlightCycles did for Warren (aka Spidey) for bar controls.  He had to adapt a bunch of relays to make things work (as most aftermarket HD ones require) -- but it's a great start.  (look at http://www.duccutters.com)

The coolest are what Exile has done in incorporating the buttons beneath the rubber grips themselves.  Not easy to use but they are the ultimate in stealth.

Mat / 13Choppers has adapted the Climax controls (pictured above in someone elses post) on a few of his Ducati powered choppers.  They worked great but I never thought they integrated well with the Ducati design language itself.

Definitely post pics as you go and have fun with it.

a few more and I'll be done for the evening

You have a wet clutch on your S2R800 -- wait until you see what is happening with that one!

[toaster]

You have a wet clutch on your S2R800 -- wait until you see what is happening with that one!

dont say stuff like that.  i have a 04 800 and ive seriously thought about selling it to get a different bike JUST for the dry clutch.  send me a pm with the info about what you plan on pricing this "kit" or whatever youre gonna call it so i can start saving my money.

[stopintime]

You have a wet clutch on your S2R800 -- wait until you see what is happening with that one!

Yeah, I know  It's like going on a blind date, with the hottest girl your friends have ever seen. Can't wait 

When you miss the old days - please think of all the enjoyment YOU provide for other Monsteristi - must be fulfilling

[nkryptit]

Those switches seem like the kind you find on a lot of plastic tube flashlights....and I think those are only a few bucks...maybe they could be re-purposed.  Or these:

http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/catalogs/c261/P168.pdf

[MurDuc]

thats not necessarily what i was thinking about.  the way i would wanna do it will look just like a normal grip.  those all have a different look to them, plus they are all metal and rubber, not just rubber. 

the idea you had about cutting the hole then covering that with latex will look like a regular grip and not give away the fact that there is stuff on the inside.  that was the point of this whole thread.  plus i dont see spending 300 bucks on a set of grips if i can do it myself for less than 20-30.

Actually, the Grip Ace slip on is just black rubber.



You can't really tell anything unless you look closely at the bottom of the grip, and see the 4 pressure switches, or the wire running from it.





Being an elec tech myself, it's not the switches that are the issue/cost. It's the brain. You only have four clutch side buttons that operate every possible switch on your bike. (Aside that throttle side kill switch I'm thinking.) Starter, Blinkers, Headlights, Brights, Horn, other lighting effects, etc. You have to have a control unit for that. Logic in, control voltage out. For the nice clean one piece grip with a pre-done wiring assembly, plus the control unit, $299 ain't that bad. That's less than a bling clutch cover, plate and springs. Not that I can afford either ATM.

The only thing you'll have left to deal with is choke/fast idle.

There is a thing or two I'd change on it if I made it as a custom job, like running the wiring inside the handlebar, but it "seems" like a well thought out product with a nice clean look.

.02

[MurDuc]

I've probably run the most minimal bar controls on my DesmoDevil series of bikes the past few years.  Either right side only factory switch or my own starter/hi-low.  (I use a Motogadget gauge in my headlight pod itself w/3 idiot lights)

I've just went to production with a product called "Switchlets" that are plug/play and replace the factory switchgear.  Options for right side control are starter only or starter only / kill switch.  Left side is hi-low -or- hi-low/turn signal -or- hi-low/turn signal/horn.  It's taken a bit longer to get into production as I couldn't find a high quality mil-spec switch that I know would work for years (million plus actuations) and also be sealed and that didn't also require micro-relays.  We ended up actually modifying an industrial quality switch that met our specs, but now has buttons that can easily be used with winter gloves but still look cool.  As for looks / size / etc -- nothing sticks above the bar itself and only one fastener required.  Initially will be anodized in black or silver with stainless buttons. (Polished optional)  There will be some short production runs of other colors available as we go -- there are a few surprises here!  Hopefully the first production set will be on Ducati Island at MotoGP this year on a customers S4R w/BoomTubes and then we will release to the general public -vs- internal customers I've known for years.

Due to the slimness and cool factor of the Switchlets, we are also making our own dual-media handgrips and a few other parts for the handlebars (bar ends, bar end mirrors and reservoirs).  A set of the grips are being tested now by someone who commutes on a daily basis on their Monster -- so hopefully a few more weeks and then we will  push to production also.

Pictures will be posted when something is "production ready". 

Ooooh. I didn't see this till I posted.
Will be looking forward to more info on this.

[nkryptit]

Don't know if anyone is still interested, but I found these while bored and thought of this post.

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8720#