will england :: Chuck Chiodini Audiovox Cruise Control Install on ST1100will england :: Chuck Chiodini Audiovox Cruise Control Install on ST1100Forward: Ah, cruise control on a motorcycle! Wouldn't you like to maintain a steady speed without constant throttle inputs and the hand cramping that accompanies it? How about maintaining a safe (maybe even legal) speed without having to continuously glance down at the speedometer and scanning for police? Instead you can relax and spend your scanning time for road hazards instead. The Vista-Cruise and O-ring type throttle locks work well for a few minutes of respite but cannot maintain a steady speed. What you really need is an automotive style cruise control that is a simple set it and forget it type device.
An Australian company, MotorCycle Setup (http://www.mccruise.com/), markets such a device. The problem of this unit is the cost of $390-$450 U.S. for an automotive cruise control unit that has been adapted for motorcycle duty. Why not save yourself hundreds of dollars and install an inexpensive, locally available cruise control yourself?
"Enjoy the ride....your speed is under control". I just finished installing an AudioVox CCS-100 cruise control on my '91 ST. This model of cruise control can be purchased from most automotive retail stores for under $100 and is available on sale from JC Whitney for $69. As installed, the cruise control works just like one in an automobile. Holds the selected set speed within 2 mph, effective from 2,250 rpm to 5,500 rpm. SET/COAST, RESUME/ACCEL. switches function normally just like on a car. Unit disengages when either brake is applied or the clutch is pulled in or the cruise control unit/engine is turned off.
I didn't post step by step instructions since the other sites do such a great job of it, but will write them up if the enclosed instructions and photos aren't clear enough. I cannot stress enough that although this project looks complicated, it isn't. Installation can be accomplished by anyone with basic mechanical/electrical knowledge with simple hand tools. This is the single best farkle I have done on the bike and makes long distance work a breeze while keeping those pesky speeding tickets at bay.
I, in no way, want to take any of the credit for this idea since it was not mine. All I did was play around with the ST installation to get it simple, factory looking and working 100% correctly. I have helped many Pacific Coast riders install this model of cruise control on their machines and will be more than willing to help any ST pilot do the same. Maybe add this activity to a ValveSTOC?
My initial inspiration for this project came from the excellent site http://www.angelfire.com/il/sproulpage/page13.html. Read this first!
A few folks on the ST1100 liST have also done this farkle and their advice was greatly appreciated, especially that of Dave Lawrence. Photos of my installation can be found at this Yahoo! photo album
These are the modifications to the above basic instructions that I used:
VSS and Magnetic Speed Sensors: Didn't install/use them as the servo is fed directly from the tachometer input from the Honda blue/yellow striped wire from #2-4 coil. Less hassle, less install time, works great. Just set up the DIP switches for a manual shift vehicle and use the LOW sensitivity setting for smooth cruise control engagement
Vacuum canister: Instead making one from PVC pipe, simply order JC Whitney part #81AU0346R, Vacuum canister, $9.99. It's compact, fits perfectly above the valve cover and under the left pocket fairing just aft of the depression made by the pocket. It also features a built in one-way vacuum valve = less hassles for little $$.
Servo: Mounted under the left side fairing, just aft of the crash bar and just above the lower cowl. Run the cable forwar and up near the radiator thermo-sensor, aft along the air intake hose, attach to cruise control bracket # 16 (need only the short section) bolted to the air cleaner cover. All components are located on the left side of the bike, cleaner installation and easier to work on without removing all the front-end plastic. Servo DIP switches are accessible for adjustment/troubleshooting without removing any plastic via the lower air vent on the left side fairing.
Servo control attachment: I found that on my bike, when I used the attachment points for the servo cable that some others have used for the ST (linkage running between the carbs), my beaded chain rubbed on the underside of the frame tube and carburetor linkage.
Another concern was the total pull length available for the servo cable was less than the recommended 40-45mm. So, I drilled and tapped the main throttle shaft (where the Honda throttle cable bellcrank attaches) of the primary carburetor so I could install a short bellcrank fashioned from cruise control part # 28.
This set-up advantages are: all throttle control cables are parallel, no binding on anything, can use the required minimum 7 beads on the chain, gives the full throttle swing of 40-45mm, easy to adjust, lube and service. Cost $10 for the machine work, carb removal is required no matter which attachment system you choose.
Wiring: I attached all servo wires to the Honda main wire bundle located under the left side cover. Looks factory, easy to troubleshoot, less wires running over the bike. The cruise control tachometer input wire (blue with noise suppressor) was routed further forward along the upper frame tube to attach to the Honda coil/ICU white quick connector just left and forward of the air cleaner cover.
Dash Control Unit: I mounted mine by drilling the Cap, NH285 on the left fender pocket. This part cost less than $5 so if you want to go back to stock or screw it up when drilling = no big deal. This locates the control unit just above the left knee so the cruise control can be set by feel without having to remove rider's vision from the road. This mounting position also keeps the green ON/OFF light of the cruise control out of line of sight that was bothersome during night operation.
Chuck Chiodini
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Created October 30, 2003 :: Updated Thursday, September 06 2018 @ 01:52am