1981 XJ650 Tachometer

I need a 1981 XJ650 Tachometer - any one has one for sale trade? my Tac. needle is broken

 

Is it cable driven or electronic?

 

Cable driven.

 

My 1982 XJ650 Maxim tach is electronic.

 

I'll check at my dad's house this week, but I can't make any promises. I am sure I have one, just not sure of the condition.

 

80 & 81's were cable drive Tach
82 & 83's were electronic Tach

 

Thanks guys, and Turkey i'v got my fingers crossed

 

When you say the needle is broken, do you mean literally that the needle is broken or do you mean that it just doesn't read?

The reason I ask is that my old '81 had some noise issues with the tach so I took it apart. Come to find out, several spiders had made a home in the inner workings of the tach head. After a thorough cleaning and eviction of the spiders, it began to work quietly again. Oh, if you decide to clean it use a real light oil to lubricate the coupling.

 

The procedure in this article will work for Tachometer Needles too:
(If you don't have the "Touch" for high precision work ... a "Model Builder" easily found at a Hobby Shop will be eager to help you.)

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You can fix it ... you just need to put your Precision Hat on.
Mask the face of the Speedo off with some Aluminum Foil followed by some Paper towel.
Get some 5-Minute Epoxy.
Epoxy a Tooth Pick to the underside of the fragment.
Just to the butt-end and hold it perfectly straight until the Epoxy cures and the Tooth Pick becomes part of the former indicator that broke-off.

Next.
Mix a SMALL amount of Epoxy and use another Tooth Pick to "Coat" the glued-on Toothpick.
Build-up a nice "Bead" of Epoxy from the break to the tip of the glued-on Tooth Pick.
Cover the repair with a coat that will built-up and form the new Speedo Needle.

While the repair bead is almost cured and still a little bit flexible ... nip-off the end with a pair of fingernail clippers to the correct length.
Leave it alone after using a Razor Blade to remove any Epoxy that starts to drip-off and fall on to the paper towel.
In other words ... clean-up and "Shape" the underside ... flat.

When it's done getting cured ... do a final shaping and "Roughing-up" of the surface with a brand new Emery Board. Your wife should have plenty.

Once you have finally shaped and lightly sanded the surface ... paint it.

get the paint from the "Testors" (Trademark Brand) Paint Rack at a Hobby Shop.
The matching Red is: "Italian Red"
An alternative Needle indicator color is: Florescent Yellow.

While you are at the Hobby Shop; pick-up a tiny paint brush (Artist type) to use putting-on the paint over the repair job.

Don't try to get the repaired Needle painted all in one sitting.
Apply a first coat.
Let completely dry.
Emery board out any "Pulls or wrinkles"
Apply second coat.
The second coat might do the trick.

If it needs a third coat ... wait for the second coat to dry.

New Speedo Needle Indicator.
Cost: 10 Bucks or so!

Change the Bulb colors to anything that is available with pre-colored bulbs.
Red, Blue and Orange are nice.

Take your time and do a nice job.
Wibe the Bulb Holders with a Q-Tip soaked in Armoral.

PS: A two-tone Indicator with the tip painted a different color than the needle body is trick.
Use some 3M Vinyl Masking tape to mash-off the Red Line area of the tach and add some color to the tach.

 

Thanks guys, I managed to get my hands on an electronic tach. took out the needle had to drill the hole a bit but got it to fit. Tried it out but no response so will change cable and clean out inside (although I didn't see any dirt inside except some kind of dark gray powder.
Will update but any advice is welcome .

 

eBay. I just picked up an NOS speedo for $20. Just gotta keep trolling, instruments come up all the time.

 

shangovi, I found the tach today. If you are still interested let me know and I'll send you a pic. I don't know the condition, I took it off before I got the bike running, but it looks good. $10 will cover it and shipping for it. Just let me know.