VFRDiscussion

I'm trying to find out if I buy the digital part of the instrument cluster from the UK that read kilometers will it read kilometers when its plugged into my bike? Basically what I'm ask does the PCM control how the digital part reads?

Aren't km/miles selectable therefore it doesn't matter???

I have no idea this is why I'm asking.
I bought a gauge cluster but the digital side has been in the sun and looks terrible. I wanted to replace it with a newer looking one.

First of all, the UK still uses miles...

I believe there are two different "TDK" speed sensor part numbers for KPH and MPH, which suggests that the instrument cluster wouldn't need to be different, but I don't know for sure.

Ciao,

JZH

From what I have learned, here is a tidbit of info for the class.
The digital display on the instrument cluster holds the info for the miles/km on the bike.
For a person to change the instrument cluster and keep the same mileage/km they have on the bike they need pull off their digital display from the cluster and send both newer one and old display to someone that knows how to transfer the info from the old display to the newer one.
That same person can change the display from miles to km without having the old display. They only need the old display to transfer the mileage/km.
Hopefully that makes sense.
I have found someone to do that for my very damaged display. He said as long as the chips are intact he can do it. My display is shattered on the front but the chips remain in good shape. It's just a shame I have to mail it to the UK to get it done.

Okay, I've confirmed that the 5th gen has the same TDK sender for all models, MPH and KPH, so you're good there. (The 4th gen is the one with different senders.) On the 5th gen, mileage and units info is stored in a small, read-writeable IC chip, a very common part which is used on hundreds of other vehicles. YouTube has dozens of videos about how it can be read, flashed and re-programmed. There may not be a specific video about how to flash a 5th gen VFR chip, but the chip itself is the common part, so whatever works to flash one (with the same part number/code) on another vehicle will work for your bike. See the classic video from "speedkar100" for a basic overview of the process.

Google tells me:

[Depending on your exact region and cluster variant, the IC number printed on the chip is typically one of the following:
1. The Manufacturer/OEM Part Number: HP 0418 001 (or HP 0418 011)
On the physical VFR800 circuit board, Honda utilized a custom-masked or proprietary-labeled chip manufactured by Honda's instrument supplier.
* HP 0418 001 is typically found on non-HISS (US/Canadian/Australian market) models.
* HP 0418 011 is found on European/UK models equipped with the HISS immobilizer system.

2. The Universal Electronic Component Equivalent
Because the "HP 0418" coding is a custom stamp, standard EEPROM programmers (like a CH341A, CarProg, or Digiprog) cannot read it under that name.
To read and write the HEX file, electronic repair technicians treat this chip as a standard 93C46 (or 93C56 / 93C66 depending on the specific firmware version) Microwire EEPROM chip.]

And eBay has various tools to help, such as clips that allow you to read/write to the chip when it is still soldered into the instrument panel PCB. (However, I hear that these are fiddly to use, and un-soldering may work better.)

A specialist, of course, has done all this dozens of times, has the tools and the knowledge of exactly what needs to be done--for a price. I have never done it. (But I reserve the option!) Good luck.

Ciao,

JZH

Wow, Great information. Thanks for adding that.
Mine has been shipped off to a guy that is confident he can put the correct mileage in the new/used one he sold me.

The newer LCD has been shipped back to me with my current mileage on it.
I'm excited to get a hold of it.