There are many options when it comes to installing a new component on your bike. I decided to create my own adapter so the new computer could be installed on the OEM plastic. This required aluminum flat stock and a couple of fasteners, my bench vise and large crescent wrench for bending the aluminum. Also, I needed to purchase an inexpensive mounting bracket for the Trail Tech unit, from which I used the rubber grommets and aluminum inserts. Removed them from the bracket, and did not use the bracket. Installed the grommets into the new aluminum bracket I fabricated. The entire project looks great, incorporating the stock plastic, thus eliminating the need to figure out how to secure the number plate/headlight unit using stock setup. If you place an aftermarket bracket, it gets in the way of the mounting tang on the stock headlight unit. Creating your own mounting system avoids this problem, and allows everything go back together without cutting or modding the plastic. The key switch came from sicassracing.com and the stock keyswitch holder's diameter needed to be enlarged slightly to accept the larger diameter of the keyswitch. A utility knife made this pretty easy, just scraped off plastic until the hole was the right size. The photos pretty much speak for themselves. The installation was straight forward and the new computer adds a lot of value to the bike compared to the stock computer which was minimal and not easy to see. The installation retains the original appearance of the computer, maintains placement, uses the intended key mounting bracket, and keeps everything looking good. There are many ways to install anything. I'm sharing this in case anyone is considering updating their computer and adding a key switch. Plus, it was a fun way to spend an afternoon and evening. Key switch available from sicassracing.com and the Trail Tech computer is available from Trail Tech and many other parts providers. I found the best deal on Amazon.
To add detail, I twisted the ends of my fabricated bracket to change the viewing angle of the computer. The stock mounting angle was too vertical for my taste. This required some work with the vice and the crescent wrench. I drilled two 3/8-inch holes to accept the grommets and inserts from the bracket I purchased. I did not use the bracket at all, as it gets in the way of mounting the OEM plastics. The bracket also came with two metric bolts to mount the computer, which I used. The other two bolts that attach the fabricated bracket to the OEM plastic came from the license plate dangly thing, which was removed on the fist day of ownership. Finally, installation of the water temperature sensor was a matter of cutting a radiator hose and installing the unit with the provided hose clamps. All wires are easy to hook up. Trail Tech is made in America, the instruction book is one of the clearest and most helpful I've seen. No translation from Chinese into English. Thoughtful attention to detail with detailed instructions make the entire setup almost a no brainer. I'm impressed with the quality of this product. Some more photos of the water temp sensor installation below. I cut the hose with PVC cutters. Made a nice clean incision for the installation of the sensor. Below is the hose I'll cut for the installation of the sensor. Below... hose being cut with PVC cutters: And the final fitment with hose clamps installed, below. Overall, a very nice installation, easy to perform, and solid. I hope these photos and the information helps you if you're considering doing this for your bike. I always find the info on this site to be helpful, and have enjoyed learning about this bike and the fun of doing these mods. They all make a great machine even more fun and useful in my estimation.
Sorry, here's the last photo of the finished sensor installation. Removing the airbox cover made this easier to access, for sure.
Impressive install . It looks like the turn signal blinkers are incorporated. How about the low fuel light and high beam indicator . Does the Trail Tech have a way to signal a low fuel condition , and a high beam indicator.
The turn signals are not incorporated. There's a separate unit that can be added, which has a number of different functions. I'm considering it. The add-on does have the low fuel condition and high and low beam indicators. See more here about the indicator light dashboard by following this link. I'm not sure how it all hooks up, but if the product is anything like their computers, it should be well explained. Here
Follow-up mod... I incorporated an on-off switch into the plastic side panel, to activate the power up device. Switch on for power, off for "no power." Ha. This bike has power even in the "off" position. Some photos of the mod follow. The switch came from some electronic equipment I took apart. It's unobtrusive and I can always tell at a glance if it's powered on or not by the postion "I" or "0"... kind of fun. Soldered everything except the quick disconnects, which will have to disconnected to remove the side panel, since the switch is pressed into the square hole. Now I just need to see how the bike runs in the "on" position.
I like the Striker upgrade, I plan on doing something similar. Nice place for your map switch, I added mine to my handlebars. The bike must be completely powered down and the head light off to switch to the second map mode. I wasn't impressed with the key switch made by Sicass, it seemed too fragil and I wanted my key to match the neck lock. A 2011 Husqvarna key switch can be purchased for around 65 dollars which comes with a new high quality ignition, two keys and a new stem lock. Pretty simple to wire in and you can add accessory switching. Great postings Tom, keep them coming! 8000 A8900 Complete lock - switch page 39A - 2011 te449/511 parts catalog
