Old motorcycles are the untamed frontier of information screens. Motorcycles have made significant advancements in instrument cluster design since 20 years ago, often lacking basic instrumentation like fuel gauges and speedometers. However, there is still potential for enhancement, and many contemporary motorcycles are equipped with an ECU module that can provide additional data, as demonstrated by [mickwheelz] in his supplementary motorcycle display.
This screen is designed for a contemporary Honda off-road motorcycle and relies on an ESP32 module. The ESP32 connects directly to the ECU through a diagnostic socket, unlike other comparable setups that communicate through a CAN bus. All the bike’s functions such as engine temperature, throttle position, intake air temperature, and neutral gear can be tracked. Additionally, [mickwheelz] incorporated an external GPS sensor for displaying GPS speed and location along with other data.
[mickwheelz] gives recognition to a couple of people for progressing in the Honda ECU. [Gonzo] used a Raspberry Pi and a basic screen to create a similar build, which played a key role in collecting the information for this project. If you need a display for your vintage motorcycle without an ECU, consider using a Nixie tube speedometer.
