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Cliftech Design V-Gauge Lite Manual

A pocket gauge for the harley-davidson v-rod
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V-Gauge Lite
A pocket gauge
for the
Harley-Davidson V-Rod

Introduction

Have you every wondered:
● How hot is my engine (coolant temperature)?
● What was the highest temperature reached?
● Why are the fans on (or off)?
● What is the average fuel economy (mpg)?
● How does the instantaneous mpg depend on speed, wind, RPM, riding position, etc.?
● Did my last performance modification affect fuel economy?
● How many gallons of fuel are really left?
● How accurate is my stock fuel gauge?
● How many seconds from 0 to 60mph?
● What are my 60', 330', 1/8, and 1/4 mile times?
● At what RPM am I really shifting?
● What was my maximum speed?
The V-Gauge Lite is an electronic instrument specifically designed for the Harley-Davidson
V-Rod. The concept of the gauge is simple: use a 3-wire hook-up (ground, 12V, and digital bus)
to listen to the data running across the serial data bus. It comes with a pre-installed connector
ready to plug straight into the computer diagnostic port on your bike. Its compact size means
that it can be easily carried in your tool pouch or a jacket pocket. A small Velcro attachment
allows it to be quickly installed in any visible location on the front of your V-Rod all the time or
just when you need it.
© 2008 Cliftech Design

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Summary of Contents for Cliftech Design V-Gauge Lite

  • Page 1: Introduction

    ● At what RPM am I really shifting? ● What was my maximum speed? The V-Gauge Lite is an electronic instrument specifically designed for the Harley-Davidson V-Rod. The concept of the gauge is simple: use a 3-wire hook-up (ground, 12V, and digital bus) to listen to the data running across the serial data bus.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Units adjustment mode .................. 15 Gear calibration mode..................17 Speed calibration mode .................. 18 Fuel calibration mode ..................19 6. V-Gauge Lite installation..................21 Wiring the gauge ..................21 Mounting the gauge ..................22 Sunlight visibility ..................23 Weather resistance ..................23 7.

  • Page 3: Specifications

    ● Adjustable speed calibration in % ● Adjustable fuel use calibration in % ● Adjustable pulley calibration (1-255 teeth, 26-30 typical) Figure 1 – Screen map of the normal operation of the V-Gauge Lite. V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...

  • Page 4: Button Controls

    The following section describes these in more detail. Start-up screen When the V-Gauge Lite is first powered on by turning the bike’s key switch, a start-up screen is displayed. This screen is shown in Figure 2.

  • Page 5: Run Screens

    V-Gauge), it can still be helpful in tuning the optimal shift RPM. REMEMBER The gear position is calculated from the ratio of bike speed and engine RPM. For this reason, it only reads correctly when the clutch is engaged (lever released). V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...

  • Page 6: Digital Rpm Screen

    The second run screen, shown in Figure 6, is similar to the graphical screen except that the RPM bar chart on the lower line is replaced with the digital RPM. Figure 6 – The RPM bar chart is replaced with the digital RPM in the second run screen. V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...

  • Page 7: Temperature Screen

    The lower line is the average fuel economy since the trip odometer was last reset (see V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...
  • Page 8 Figure 9 – The fuel economy screen showing both the instantaneous (live) and average fuel economy. The average value is reset by clearing the trip odometer (see previous section). V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...

  • Page 9: Drag Race Timing

    The V-Gauge Lite is no substitute for a track timing system but it can be a handy tool for measuring the effect of modifications on the bike’s performance. Remember that, since the speedometer pulse sensor is in the transmission (not on the front wheel, for example), rear tire spin will cause incorrect distance readings.

  • Page 10: Timing Data Screens

    1130CC.COM / 1250CC.COM Figure 10 shows a map of the V-Gauge Lite functions to which the drag timing screens have been added. To enter the drag timing mode, hold the upper button for at least 2 seconds from the RPM graphical screen shown in Figure 4. The bike must be stopped. This will switch the V- Gauge Lite to the drag data review screens, allowing you to see the measurements from the last run.

  • Page 11: Maximum Speed Screen

    Note that 0-60mph times greater than 9.9s will not be displayed correctly. This should never be a problem with the V-Rod! Figure 15 – Maximum speed screen. V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...

  • Page 12: Rpm Shift Point Screen

    Figure 4. When a 1/4 mile has been covered, the gear position read- out is replaced with a small checkered flag, as shown in Figure 18, to indicate that the run is complete. V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...
  • Page 13 Note, however, that the data is not stored until it is reviewed for the first time. If the V-Gauge Lite is powered down before looking at the data from a run, it will be lost and the data from the previously stored run will be retained.

  • Page 14: User Calibration

    1130CC.COM / 1250CC.COM 5. User calibration The V-Gauge Lite does not directly measure the speed and the amount of fuel used but uses the values reported by the V-Rod’s computer control system (ECM). So, why may calibration be needed? There are a number of variables that could affect the accuracy of the reported values including gear ratio and tire size.

  • Page 15: Serial Number Screen

    Temperature Fahrenheit ( Celsius ( Celsius ( Table I – Summary of the three unit display modes. Figure 23 – The RPM graphical screen in metric units mode (compare to Figure 4). V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...
  • Page 16 Figure 25 – The coolant temperature screen in metric units mode (compare to Figure 7). Figure 26 – The trip odometer and fuel usage screen in metric units mode (compare to Figure 8). V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...

  • Page 17: Gear Calibration Mode

    26 to 30 teeth. The gear calibration screen, shown in Figure 18, allows the number of teeth to be adjusted from 1 to 255. This value must be correctly entered in order for the V-Gauge Lite gear position display to be correct.

  • Page 18: Speed Calibration Mode

    (%). Method #1: 1. Place the V-Gauge Lite in one of its normal operation screens that display the speed and measure the actual speed of the bike using another reliable source. This could be done by pacing against another vehicle or, much better, using a GPS receiver.

  • Page 19: Fuel Calibration Mode

    1. Fill the fuel tank as near as reasonably possible to the top of the filler neck. 2. Place the V-Gauge Lite in the fuel management screen (see Figure 8) and reset the fuel use to zero by pressing and holding the upper button.
  • Page 20 1130CC.COM / 1250CC.COM After adjusting the fuel calibration, press both button at the same time to advance to the RPM shift point screen. Once reaching this point, as shown in Figure 20, V-Gauge Lite returns to normal operation. IMPORTANT NOTE: Performance add-on products such as Gil’s Box or the Power Commander intercept...

  • Page 21: V-Gauge Lite Installation

    1130CC.COM / 1250CC.COM 6. V-Gauge Lite installation The V-Gauge Lite is supplied in a small plastic housing as shown in Figure 31. It is a lightweight and durable package which will win no design awards but which serves the intended purpose.

  • Page 22: Mounting The Gauge

    Mounting the gauge The V-Gauge Lite is supplied with a short length of self-adhesive Velcro that can be used to mount the lightweight instrument at any convenient and visible location on the front of the motorcycle. Since the gauge is so light, it does not require a completely flat surface for secure attachment.

  • Page 23: Sunlight Visibility

    However, since it is not equipped with a backlight, there is no night time visibility. Weather resistance The V-Gauge Lite is not specifically designed to be weatherproof and there was no attempt to make the housing water-tight. This said, however, occasional exposure to rain should not cause it serious harm nor interrupt its operation.

  • Page 24: Complete Screen Navigation Map

    1130CC.COM / 1250CC.COM 7. Complete screen navigation map V-Gauge Lite Manual V1.2 © 2008 Cliftech Design...

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