On a trip - no tach

I am on a ride right now. Just a quick trip to skiatook for dnner with the inlaws. Part way here my tach stopped working. Thoughts? This is on the '81 650.

 

Does the 650 have the electric or cable driven tach?

 

'81 = mechanical tach.

 

Cable is probably broke. Just my guess.
Gregg

 

That was my thought, but I could not remember, for sure, if it was mechanical. I am home now, time to do some reading. Thanks.

 

Your cable may be bad. I had my tach on the 650 gum up too. You may end up taking the gauges apart and do a clean and lube job. Might want to think about LED's while its apart if you go there.

 

if you leave all the other lighting on your bike stock (as I have except the headlight) change the INSTRUMENT LIGHTS to LEDs. What an incredible difference! I can actually SEE them.

 

I can actually see all the lights, but I do have problems reading the tripometer at night (as I found tonight).

I want to make new backgrounds for my gauges and paint the needle.

Now for story time:
Client calls computer tech support, informs the tech that the computer is not working, but is rather vague. After a few probing questions the rather perplexed computer tech begins to wonder if the computer has simply been unplugged. Upon asking the client to check the cables connected to the back of the computer the tech hears this:
'I can't do that, it is too dark to see back there, the power has been off for hours.'

In a similar manner the members of XJBikes.com read this:

"Tach cable? What do you mean tach cable? I don't have a tach cable connected to my tach... oh, do you mean this thing that looks like it could screw right into the threaded fitting on the back of the tach?"

Yes, thats right, the tach cable simply unscrewed itself.

Lessons learned: Just because the bike is as old as I am doesn't mean it actually BROKE; never assume and always check the simple (and simply obvious) things first.

 

I have reconnected the tach twice now and the nut keeps unscrewing. Should there be a lock nut? maybe time for some locktight?

 

My mechanical doesn't have a lock nut. Didn't use locktight either and its staying put. Did you get it on there good? Is your bike shaking like a Harley? Perhaps a cable lube is in order like its stressing or spinning (yea right) the casing which in turn loosens the burled knob that acts as a nut?

Have you mistreated your significant other or garage pals lately? (good practicle joke to keep unscrewing the cable.)

 

does it unscrew from the gauge? or from the motor?

 

Both.

 

I know for sure that it is unscrewing from the gauge. I guess I should verify it is not loose on the other end also. The bike has sat for awhile, I am sure I should lube all the cables. Thanks.