Schwinn Computer Question

I hate to be negative, but I tried two different electronic computers (albeit neither was a Schwinn) and neither would work while the engine was on. Too much field interference from the magneto. I toyed with the idea of trying to work up some shielding, but I think it would require totally insulating/isolating the motor from the bike frame, but the mag is strong enough, I am not sure the insulation would have cured the field effect, as the trip computer/speedo works on very small current anyway. One of the shielding fixes I considered was using sielded CAT5 cable from the sensor to the computer, and fabing an insulated steel or aluminium 'box' in which to mount the computer to try to shield it from the mag; it might work, but a whole lot of effort. I just found an old mechanical speedo on e-bay for $10.

Having said that, I've seen some posts that some folks have made the electronic ones work, so maybe you'll be ok. As to your actual question, long as you do a quality splice of the sensor feed wire (I suggest soldering the re-splice and applying either heat-shrink tube or silicone for a good seal) the shorter wire should actually be better, not worse (less line loss).

Good luck!

I have had more then a few of those and only had a problem with one. Think it was just the batt but never messed with it. Had them on both 4 and 2 strokes. Don't see why it would not work, shortening the cable but dunno fo-shore

Really like your "trunk" Gonna get around to getting one of these some day. Would work as a cooler too.

ActionPacker® Cargo Box / Bin | Rubbermaid

my $10 walmart schwinn speedo acts up and resets while starting,but after the engine is running it works.
when i had a basket on the front of my bike(i dont have a basket in front now) i mounted the speedo on the front edge of the basket and ran the wire up the side of the basket which is 1 foot from the hadle bars and the speedo worked perfect. so theres your answer,keep the speedo and wire away from the handle bars,cdi any other cables or wires. im working on a long plastic bracket to get the speedo and wire farther from the bikes handle bars and im sure it will work better.

I had a Blackburn Delphi speedo that was always resetting and locking up. I changed it out with a Cateye Velo that I have had no problems with at all. Never tried shortening the wire on either of them.

All my bikes and all the bikes I have built I use the Schwinn speedo and have never had a problem with any of them. But no I have never tried to cut the wires to shorten them.

Sounds like Schwinn and some of the better ones may be shielded internally and are better quality, as they are working for many folks. The ones I had were Hong Kong cheapies (you get what you pay for!). I personally think the problem is the field effect from the magneto, as the electronic speedos work by sensing a small permanent magnet passing a tiny detector coil sensor. But whether it is high voltage pulses from the ignition or magneto field effect...the fixes are the same! Isolate and shield.

i HAVE TRIED 4 DIFF SCHWINN ONES FROM WA MART, AND NONE WOWKED FOR ME.

Mine went through the washer and dryer once and still worked lol it scared me at first

My cateye velo 5 is rly good..

I had all kinds of problems with the $10 Schwinn computer and just gave up, then I paid $30 for a Cateye Velo5 computer and all the problems where gone, I did'nt worry about where I ran the wire just put it on.
I was about to take the Schwinn computer back to Walmart and tell them it was broke and get my hard earned $10 back but then as a last chance put it on my pedal bike and it works great there not a hitch, so I guess I'll keep it and when I build another motor bike I will spend $20 more and the computer problem will be fixed.

And don't try and shorten it just use string ties and hide it.

Oh and the Cateye computer will tell you your "calorie consumption" even though you did'nt even pedal the bike, you just sat there the whole time, a nice plus Haaa.

I purchased a $15 Bell speedo from the bx. I only put a couple miles on it before my rear wheel failed. But I have not had any problems. Yet.