C-Volt LED Voltmeter on a '98 -'01 VFR

If you own a VFR then you've heard about their notorious R/R (Regulator/Rectifier) problems. The problem in older models is almost guaranteed yet even the newer models aren't completely cured of this problem. The best way to see how the R/R is working is with a voltmeter. Unfortunately most models don't come with them as original equipment, so you'll have to look at aftermarket options. I've looked around at many different models and found the C-Volt LED Voltmeter to meet all my needs. First and foremost it's waterproof, which is necessary for a commuter bike in the Great Northwet. It's completely self contained in a very small package with nice red (to match the bike of course) numbers to be easily seen during the day or at night. It's a bit pricey @$75, but it's a very nice unit so you get what you pay for. Check it out the Voltmeters (use IE) at i4cproducts.com, the model I bought is the CV100 LED. Let's hit it...

Supplies: exterior mounting tape (Home Depot), black electrical tape, heat shrink tubing, black wire loom, various electrical connectors depending on your wiring setup, wire cutters, scissors, and the tools needed to remove your fairings and possibly the windscreen.

1) First you need to stake out the mount location. There aren't too many locations unless you're ok with cutting a decent sized hole in your fairing. The unit comes with a mount for a real clean install, but I wanted it in a highly visible location and not so permanent. I chose right on top of the dash, it's very visible and an easy place to put it (it's also where I had the voltmeter on my '90).

Remove your windscreen and any fairings needed for the wiring. Drop the wire that's included with the unit down through one side of the front fairing. I then crimped the included electrical connectors onto the wire as shown, put heat shrink tubing on for insulation, and cut/installed the wire loom. I put 2 layers of electrical tape on the unit and all the way down the wire to protect it from the elements.

2) I then cleaned the top of the dash with some non residue cleaner and cut a few pieces of double sided tape. The arch in the dash required 2 layers of tape for it mount well, so I cut 1 big piece followed by 2 smaller pieces to keep the sides firmly mounted on the dash. Below I show the type of tape I picked up at Home Depot for outside applications and the first post install pic.

3) All there is left to do is hook it up. It's reverse polarity protected so you don't fry it and beyond that you're done. Here's the front and rider's view....this install gives me a great excuse for a smoked double bubble.

3) All there is left to do is hook it up. It's reverse polarity protected so you don't fry it and beyond that you're done. Here's the front and rider's view....this install gives me a great excuse for a smoked double bubble.