An hour meter is an essential tool for keeping track of engine hours on your dirt bike. As an avid rider, monitoring the time your engine has been running allows you to stay on top of routine maintenance and know when piston changes or valve adjustments are needed. In this article and the video above, I'll be describing and demonstrating the full process for installing an hour meter in a hidden location on your bike.

We'll go step-by-step through removing necessary bodywork like the fuel tank, mounting the meter in a tucked away spot, connecting the pickup wire to your ignition system, and testing it out. The goal is to have the device securely installed while still maintaining access to components like air filters and batteries. With some simple hand tools and zip ties, mounting an hour meter is straightforward. So let's get started prepping our bike!

Preparing the Bike

Before installing the hour meter, you need to prep the bike by removing key components to access the mounting location. Start by taking off the seat and fuel tank, usually just requiring the removal of several 8mm bolts. Be sure to turn off the fuel before disconnecting the fuel line to avoid any leaks. On carbureted bikes there is just a straight fuel line, but fuel injected models will differ. With the tank removed, also detach any connected wiring like the map sensor.

Now you have clear access to clean the plastic mounting surface where the hour meter will be placed. It's likely dirty from normal wear, so wipe down the area to allow the meter's sticky backing to properly adhere. The goal is to find a hidden spot out of the way, like tucked right under your seat. This keeps it protected yet still accessible for periodic battery changes.

Mounting the Hour Meter

To mount the hour meter, you'll first want to position it in a hidden but accessible location. For this dirt bike, we tucked the unit inside the air box down by the battery. This keeps it out of sight but still allows access to remove the battery as needed.

After finding a suitable spot, run the pickup wire that connects to the top of the hour meter. We snaked it through the frame, making sure it doesn't interfere with any other cables or components along the way. The wire needs to reach the ignition coil to sense engine vibrations.

Once positioned, secure the hour meter using the adhesive backing provided. Apply firm pressure to adhere it to the surface. Also pull any loose pickup wire through the top of the unit and ensure none of it drapes where it could get caught or tangled. The meter and wire should now be firmly mounted in a hidden yet functional location, ready for connecting to the bike's ignition system.

Connecting the Pickup Wire

Connecting the pickup wire is a crucial step to ensure the hour meter tracks the engine hours properly. Start by wrapping the pickup wire three or four times around the HT lead, which comes from the ignition coil. Wrap it tightly so it makes firm contact. Next, use the included zip tie to further secure the wire to the HT lead, wrapping it around the top and bottom. Before tightening fully, pull both ends of the pickup wire to confirm it is taut with no slack. Tighten the zip tie firmly and trim off any excess. Test the connection by gently pulling on the wire to ensure it remains tight and does not slip off the HT lead.

Finally, tuck any leftover pickup wire back through the frame, securing it with additional zip ties as needed. Make sure no cables are obstructed. The goal is keeping the excess wire neatly out of the way while maintaining a solid contact point to the HT lead. With the pickup wire firmly connected, the hour meter can accurately read engine run time.

Completing Installation

To finish off the installation, replace the fuel tank back into place. Leave the seat off for now so you can check that the hour meter is functioning properly before buttoning everything up. Go ahead and start up the bike. By pressing the button on the hour meter, you'll see it display 0.0 when the engine isn't running. This indicates it is connected correctly. Once the engine kicks over, the hour meter will begin tracking RPMs and counting the hours. Make sure it is counting the hours to confirm it is sensing the ignition system properly through that pickup wire. The hour meter will continue counting hours whenever the engine is running, so you'll have accurate data for scheduling piston changes and regular maintenance intervals. When you are satisfied it is working as intended, you can go ahead and reinstall the seat. The hour meter will now accurately track runtime without needing access to it.

Conclusion

Installing an hour meter on your dirt bike is a straightforward process that any rider can tackle in their garage. As summarized in this article, it simply involves the following 4 steps:

• Removing some bike components to access the mounting location,

• securing the hour meter in a hidden spot,

• running the pickup wire to the ignition coil,

• tidying up the wiring.

While it adds another step to bike maintenance, having an hour meter provides valuable data for servicing your piston and engine hours. Rather than relying on total mileage which can be inaccurate if you remove your speedometer, the hour meter gives you precise engine run time no matter the conditions.

For any rider looking to keep their bike in top shape, installing an hour meter is a cheap and easy upgrade that pays dividends in the long run. Don't hesitate to add this useful gadget to your ride!

Author information

My name is Charlie Frost, and I'm no stranger to the adrenaline-fueled world of extreme enduros. Starting my journey at 19, I seamlessly blended trials and enduro racing, honing my skills through youth events and extreme races like the Tough One and Erzberg. When I'm not tearing through rugged terrain, you can often find me in front of the 24MX camera, sharing my passion and insights with fellow riders, as we delve into the exhilarating world of off-road racing.