Third Gen Circle Punch Out on Fairing

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the circle punch out on the left fairing(right below left clip on) of 90-93 VFR's was for? It appears to be for an optional accessory gauge. I have two of these bikes and still wonder what this is for.

 

My VFR has a clock in that hole. It was there when I bought it 5 years ago. It has a cracked face, and I don't know if it works because I looked at it once, and the wires for it are not connected. I didn't reconnected them because I figure the previous owner disconnected them for a reason. I'm having other electrical issues with the bike right now, so I'm holding off on reconnecting it. It was definitely installed after the fact, because the wires running to it were not part of the original harness, but are ran directly from the battery, and to the frame.

I've actually been google searching for the last three days looking for a replacement for it, but I can't even find a clock for the VFR mentioned on any forums, on any website, anywhere. I was hoping someone made a digital replacement, because I think a clock is a must have on a bike. I've even looked through all the OEM parts diagrams, and can't find anything thats supposed to go in that hole. Am I the only one in the world that has a clock there? Does anyone know if anything else goes there, or where I can find a replacement. I'm working on the electrical system now, and once thats fixed, I will probably reconnect the clock. If it works, I'll probably replace the cracked face, and just use it. I'll post a picture of it here when I get back home.

 

3rd gen punchout

The clock for this year was a digital below the instrument cluster.

That circular punchout just fits the voltmeter for the GL1800 from Honda. Thats what I'm putting in it, wired directly to the relay for power off the battery.

Larry
VFRrider

 

OK, I have some pictures of the clock on my bike where that punchout is. You can see its got a custom wire running back to the battery connector, and connects to the wire harness right before the starter relay. Its got a ground wire that connects to the frame, and its got a black wire that runs back to the fuse box, I can imagine for backlighting. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement one of these, although I might actually buy that voltmeter and put it in their instead? I would still need a clock though. Oh, and just for kicks, check out the railroad tie foot peg compliments of my step-dad. When in a pinch, use whats at hand, lol.

 

I have always wondered about wiring up an Auto Meter clock for my 1993, but feared that a constant draw on the battery would be frustrating!! Thanks for the pictures kinome79.

 

That looks to be a VDO clock from a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz from a loooong time ago.

I think that it's not some sort of Honda OEM/accessory thing. The crimp on wiring connectors and a lack of a "plug". Certainly is in character with the railroad tie!:biggrin:

 

There's the eye opening insight I was looking for (even though I feel like an idiot now sense VDO quartz has been written on the clock face this whole time). Now when I search VDO clock through google, it shows all kinds of gauges (and clocks) that will fill that hole. Still think a voltmeter would be a better idea with all the charging prbs I've been having. Is VDO a type of gauge (like Voltage Driven Oscillator or something) or is it the name of a company? I can't find the answer anywhere. Now, if only they made a Voltmeter that has a digital clock in the middle. That would be something.

 

VDO is a german manufacturer, supplies gauges etc for VW, Porsche, BMW and many others. Your local parts shop should carry them.

 

Try this website. They have a wide variety of gauges including VDO, with online instructions if you want to take a peep on how to install.
http://www.egauges.com/VD2_main.asp

 

Just some quick research on eBay yielded some results. No direct matches for your clock, but all the VDO clock gauges I found were Porsche or MBZ. Some were pretty similar, and not much money.

I am certain that a voltmeter in that spot would be vastly more useful than an analog clock. I installed a $2.99 Wal*Mart digital stick-on clock on my first bike ('82 Yamaha XS400R, before digital was huge). Even had an "Inidglo" feature!!!

 

European VFRs had the clock in that space from Honda. North American ones didn't.

A lot of guys have fitted a Honda Marine Voltmeter:

 

Wow, recently I've been getting curious about the origins of my bike, and now I'm REALLY curious. Is it possible that my bike was originally imported from Europe? Its still in MPH, so probably not, but I'm sure going to be trying to look up the VIN when I get home.

 

Judging from the look of the clock and wiring, I'll bet anything that the P.O. installed that clock hisself.