Gear change indicator fitted ............... 2006 Suzuki C50 Boulevard

Hi all,
I'm glad I found this forum earlier today, I have been looking on the internet for information about fitting a gear selected indicator to my C50 (2006).  No matter where you look, there is only basic info, no technical info available.  One big problem that I needed to overcome was where to pick up the neutral switch sensor from, yes the system works fine without this, but the only time it shows neutral (0) is at switch on.  Reading what info there is about the problem other riders have encountered, it is necessary to get the signal from the gear indicator (neutral switch) or as close as possible, this is due to diodes in the circuit.  Within 10 minutes of joining this great forum I had the info I needed, I found where the sensor (switch) is located (beneath the secondary gear cover), and which wire to tap into, (BLUE).  Great all's well.  Not a big modification, but a worth while one for less than £10.

By the way, total time for fitting, just over 1 hour, not counting the fabrication of the bracket.  +ve, -ve available behind headlamp (spare socket).   Run leads up from the two supplied sensors, extend white wire to reach gear (neutral sensor) and make all joints behind headlamp, in the dry!
I made a bracket to hold the two sensors on from aluminium, this is shaped like a reverse "C" with a kink in the upright section to bring the top plate where the sensors are fitted a little closer to the gear linkage rod, bolted using the foot board rear bolt.  The supplied magnet is mounted to the gear change linkage rod, epoxied and cable tie.  Even though I say so myself, a very neat job.  The display is mounted on the right bar, tucked up tightly against the brake fluid reservoir and mirror stalk, this only needs to be cable tied only to the bar using the cable where it exits the display.
I will post pictures when I'm able.
I've not worked that easy bit out yet!!!!

glad your enjoying the bike and the site

Thats great well done to you on doing this, well impressed  

Good job mate  £10 for a gear indicator is very cheap!

It's just a matter of shopping around on ebay, they're all as near as hell the same, it's just a case of how many gears your box has.  They range from under a tenner to well over forty quid, unless you want a fancy electronic computerised all singing, dancing gizmo, so as far as I can tell they all do the same thing.  Just a matter of thinking the installation out first, if I change my mind with mine, there's nothing drilled, cut, or permanently added.

Good points made there John.

Gear indicator now fitted, tried and tested, and works a treat.  If any one fits one, please make sure the magnet sensors are as far apart as possible.  If not you will not get 1st, and 2nd showing on the display, but 3rd shows as 2nd, 4th as 3rd, 5th as 4th.  This baffled my for ages, then the penny dropped, the neutral sensor switch was still grounded until the very last mm of travel then the switch goes open circuit.  To solve this, I put it in 1st and propped the lever in that position and moved the sensor towards the magnet until it gave 1st, then repeated for 2nd.  Gave it a few tries, all good neutral = 0, 1 through to 5 both ways, I then epoxied them in place to my home made bracket.  I've found the easiest way to get the ground (blue) wire, was to open the plug, strip about 1 1/2" off the wire for the gear sensor (neutral), inset it into the socket end of the plug (blue wire) and keep it close to the side of the plug, and push the plug together.  No cutting, or joining and it's weather proof.

Excellent mod done John, thanks for the brilliant write up.

Good Job John