Motorcycle electrical equipment: Mo.Unit control units, relays, sensors, and Motogadget adapters for custom and cafe racer bikes
The electrical wiring is the nervous system of a motorcycle, and on a custom build, it is often the most dreaded task. An original wiring harness from the 1970s–1990s accumulates decades of DIY fixes, dubious connections, and outdated components. Even on a modern motorcycle, original relays, fuses, and connectors have a bulky physical presence that hinders purification projects.
Overhauling the electrical wiring is not an option in an ambitious customization project: it is a necessary step to ensure the motorcycle's reliability, the cleanliness of the installation, and compatibility with modern accessories connected to it. At Blackpines, our selection of electrical equipment is primarily based on Motogadget, the Berlin-based manufacturer who revolutionized motorcycle customization electronics and covers all the necessary components for a complete or partial overhaul of the electrical circuit of a custom, cafe racer, scrambler, or bobber motorcycle.
Mo.Unit Motogadget: the electronic control unit that changes everything
The Mo.Unit from Motogadget is the central piece of any serious motorcycle electrical circuit overhaul project. This compact unit, less than 10 cm long and 53 mm wide, concentrates all the functions of a modern electrical control unit in a tiny volume: management of lights, turn signals, horn, starter, stop light, and all auxiliary functions, via wear-free semiconductor switches that replace all the relays, fuses, and connectors of a conventional wiring harness.
The Mo.Unit Basic is the entry-level version. It has 12 programmable inputs and 10 outputs, integrated LED-compatible turn signal management (no more hyperflashing issues). It features electronic protection against short circuits and overloads, replacing conventional fuses.
It accepts both push-button controls (for Motogadget miniaturized mo.switch controls) and conventional toggle switch controls. This provides welcome flexibility for projects that want to maintain simplified wiring without necessarily investing in Motogadget controls.
The Mo.Unit Blue is the premium version, identical in its basic functions to the Basic but enhanced with Bluetooth connectivity to the Mo.Ride smartphone application. This connectivity unlocks advanced features: keyless start via smartphone, integrated anti-theft alarm, trip logbook, configurable maintenance alerts, and remote input/output diagnostics.
For high-end custom projects aiming to integrate modern technology without anything being visible, the Mo.Unit Blue is the ultimate tool. Indeed, the motorcycle starts with a touch of the screen, without an apparent ignition switch or key in the handlebars.
The Mo.Unit installation is solder-free thanks to the crimp connectors provided in the kit. Each wire connects by insertion into the dedicated connector and tightening. The documentation provided by Motogadget is clear and illustrated.
On our blog, we offer a complete guide for Mo.Unit installation in French to accompany the step-by-step installation of the mo.unit. It is always recommended to create a complete wiring diagram before starting the assembly, listing all components to be powered and their respective power consumption. Good preparation is key to a clean and error-free installation.
Motogadget adapters: plug-and-play integration on modern motorcycles
The Motogadget adapters allow the integration of components from the Motogadget ecosystem, such as Mo.Unit, Mo.Lock, m.switch controls, and Mo.Blaze lights, onto specific motorcycles with advanced electronic management, without interfering with the original wiring harness.
These adapters are particularly valuable on modern motorcycles such as the Triumph Speed Twin and Bonneville from 2019 onwards, Royal Enfield 650s, BMW R nineT, and F series, whose electronic communication protocols are proprietary and do not tolerate cutting or modifying the wiring harness without risking disrupting vital functions (ABS, traction control, engine management).
Each adapter is developed for a specific motorcycle model and a specific Mo.Unit version. It connects in parallel to the original wiring harness using connectors identical to the factory ones, ensuring reversible installation and perfect electronic integration. For the BMW R nineT, the Mo.Hub kit, which combines a wiring harness adapter and a distribution hub, is the most comprehensive solution. Indeed, it connects Mo.Unit, mo.switch, mo.blaze, and Motoscope in a perfectly coherent ecosystem, with the guarantee of compatibility tested by Motogadget on this chassis.
Sensors and probes: the eyes of your dashboard
The sensors and probes measure the physical parameters of the motorcycle, such as speed, oil temperature, oil pressure, engine speed, and transmit them as electrical signals to the onboard instruments.
On a custom build using an aftermarket gauge, these sensors often need to be replaced or adapted to ensure correct data reading, as the signals generated by the original sensors are not always compatible with the input protocols of aftermarket gauges.
The magnetic speed sensor is the most universally used component on custom builds. A magnet is attached to a brake disc screw or to the wheel hub; a Hall effect sensor, positioned a few millimeters away, detects the passage of the magnet with each rotation and generates an electrical pulse interpreted by the gauge as speed. This system is compatible with almost all Koso, Daytona, and Motogadget gauges, and works independently of the motorcycle's original electronic system. This makes it particularly suitable for builds based on old motorcycles where the wiring has been completely redone.
The oil temperature sensor and the oil pressure sensor monitor two critical parameters for engine longevity. On custom motorcycles with exposed engines (vertical twin, flat twin, single cylinder), these sensors screw directly into the oil pan or into the engine's oil pressure gallery. Their thread diameter (M14×1.5 or 1/8 NPT depending on the engine) must match the original drilling thread. The transmitted signal is usually a resistive or 0-5V analog signal depending on the type of receiving gauge.
Control units and relays: simplified wiring for a clean installation
The control units and relays form the intermediate layer between the Mo.Unit and existing electrical components when a complete wiring overhaul is not planned.
The LED flasher relay is the component most frequently replaced when changing turn signals: an LED-compatible electronic relay, calibrated for a consumption of 1 to 20W per turn signal (compared to 10W for incandescent bulbs), eliminates hyperflashing without additional resistors. On motorcycles where the original flasher relay is accessible and replaceable, which is the vast majority of motorcycles from the 1980s onwards, this is the cleanest and most economical solution.
Starting relays protect the starting circuit from overcurrents and activate the starter via a low-power signal from the start button or the Mo.Unit. On old motorcycles where the original starting relay is out of order or non-existent, a standard replacement relay or a universal Bosch relay performs the function without modifying the existing wiring.
Building your wiring harness: tips for a successful installation
Overhauling a motorcycle's electrical wiring is an accessible project, but it requires method and preparation, which can be summarized in three essential steps:
- The first step is to make a complete inventory of all electrical components to be kept or replaced: lights, turn signals, speedometer, horn, starter, alternator, battery.
- The second step is to draw a complete wiring diagram indicating the consumption of each component. The sum of the consumptions must remain within the limits of the motorcycle's alternator and battery capacity.
- The third step is to choose cables of suitable cross-section for each circuit: the general rule is 0.75 mm² for signal circuits (lights, turn signals, horn), 1.5 mm² for power circuits (starter, headlights, heating resistors), and 2.5 mm² for high-consumption circuits (starter). All connections must be made with quality crimp terminals or connectors. Twisted connections covered with electrical tape are absolutely to be avoided on a motorcycle subjected to permanent vibrations.
FAQ - Custom motorcycle electrical equipment
Is the Mo.Unit compatible with an injected motorcycle with ABS?
The Mo.Unit is primarily designed to replace the electrical harness of signal, lighting, and starting circuits. On modern motorcycles with injection and ABS, the engine management harness (injection computer, ABS, sensors) must generally be kept intact. The Mo.Unit does not replace it but is connected in parallel to manage auxiliary functions.
On simple carbureted motorcycles with electronic ignition without ABS, the Mo.Unit replaces almost the entire original harness. For complex motorcycles with multiple ECUs, specific Motogadget adapters are often available. Contact our team to assess feasibility for your specific model.
Do you need a professional electrician to install a Mo.Unit?
The Mo.Unit installs without soldering. All connections are made with crimp terminals provided in the kit. However, it requires careful reading of the documentation provided and a basic understanding of electrical circuits (polarity, fuses, controlled circuits).
A custom builder who has already worked on motorcycle harnesses will install it without major difficulty, allowing one day of work for a complete wiring. For a beginner in electrical work, it is recommended to be accompanied by a professional or to follow the Blackpines installation guide available on our blog before starting.
What is the difference between the Mo.Unit Basic and the Mo.Unit Blue?
Both versions have the same electronic management capabilities, 12 inputs, 10 outputs, integrated protection, LED compatibility. The major difference is the Mo.Unit Blue's Bluetooth connectivity, which manages all functions via the Mo.Ride app on a smartphone: keyless start, anti-theft alarm, diagnostics, logbook, and maintenance alerts.
The Mo.Unit Blue also allows you to configure advanced functions (turn signal timing, alarm sensitivity, output definition) directly from the app, without having to use the physical programming sequences required on the Basic. If your project integrates Mo.Lock or Mo.Pressure, the Blue is essential.
Is an LED flasher relay enough to eliminate hyperflashing?
On the majority of motorcycles where the relay is accessible and replaceable, yes. An LED-compatible electronic relay detects the actual consumption of each turn signal, even very low, and maintains a constant flashing frequency of 60 to 120 beats per minute, in compliance with regulations. The only precaution is to check that the LED turn signals mounted consume more than 1W each. Indeed, some very economical single-LED turn signals fall below the detection threshold of certain relays. On motorcycles with advanced electronic management (Triumph from 2016 onwards, certain BMWs and Ducatis), the relay is not enough: dedicated adapters or compensation resistors must be used.
