altimeter and temp gauge

[t_reister]

I have both on my '81, the altimeter seems to work but the outside temp gauge doesn't. Anybody have any tricks to get to work??

[littlebeaver]

I'm not sure what the altimeter is? If you are refering to the Voltmeter then I'm with you, the only temp. gauge on the 81 is for the engines temp...There's no outside air temp gauge on the bike that I'm aware of , perhaps yours has one but I'd like to see a photo of it...

[WingAdmin]

The Interstates came from Honda with optional gauges in place of the radio/CB displays: a voltmeter, air temperature gauge, altimeter, and clock.

The temperature gauge has a long, thin piece of metal that goes from the gauge down to the front of the fairing, in order to read outside temperature instead of the temperature inside the fairing. Unfortunately this long thin piece of metal is also quite fragile and easily broken, rendering the temperature gauge inoperative. More than likely that's what's happened to yours.

[littlebeaver]

Oh I did not know this, first I ever heard of it, learn something new everyday here ...thanks

[t_reister]

Here is a picture of the gauge set. It is on the fairing, up front. Left to right: altimeter, ambient air temp. gauge, volt gauge, and clock.

[littlebeaver]

Ah Man, mine doesn't have all that cool stuff, that's awesome of you to post a photo, I want that now I'm jealous again that's pretty slick man..Freakin auto gauges it looks like, I only have a voltmeter and a stupid lighter I never use cuss I don't smoke, voltmeter is like really old looking too.. still works though..

[t_reister]

Took my wing up on a mountain pass this last weekend and found that the altimeter is accurate. You can turn the face of the gauge to "calibrate" the gauge. Works like a champ!! Still haven't gotten the temp. gauge to work yet. I think I need a thermocouple for it, any ideas??

[BigSwede]

I have the same guages on my 83 Interstate, the temp gauge has a rubber hose with a very thin and delicate brass tube inside it connecting it to a metal bulb under the fairing. This bulb/tube has some kind of pressurised gas inside it that expands/contracts with temp change and moves the guage needle. I was working on the guage wiring and bent the tube one too many times and it broke... Hissed and released a cloud. And that was the end of that gauge.

I doubt it could be repaired but you never know, I replaced mine with a Cyberdyne digital guage from eBay.

[ChiefCass59]

Posting to this thread instead of starting a new one. My new to me 1982 Interstate has 4 gauge cluster in fairing and all work! Problem is Ambient Air Temp reads 16-20 degrees warmer than actual air temp indicated by phone, bank signs, weather apps, etc. Does anyone know if there's a calibration screw or other adjustment for this single gauge before I go to the effort of trying to fix it? Yeah, I'm a bit OCD but mainly just can do math in my head anymore <grin>.