How to dissassemble Tach on 1982 XJ650RJC?

Greetings All!

I'm trying to figure out how to fix the broken needle on my Tach. It's an 1982 XJ650RJ (Canadian edition) with the electric Tach. I've removed the chrome cover from the back, but once that's off I can't figure out how to remove the black rim holding the glass in place.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Lucky

 

it's in a plastic can, right? Here's one method:

Make a few vertical scribe marks on the "can."

Using a razor saw (hobby shop item) carefully cut horizontally through the can about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom.

Repair your instrument.

line up the scribe marks and glue the can back together. You can use 5-minute epoxy, 2-part "plastic welder," or an epoxy for plastics. I also recommend reinforcing the joint with some of that heavy-duty "peel-n-stick" aluminum furnace tape; it is impervious to temperature changes and quite stiff.

 

Sorry, nope! This appears to be all steel. Took the chrome can off (simple - two bolts), and underneath the mechanism casing is all metal. The black rim that holds the glass in place actually seems to be molded over the lip of the can. Hard to explain, I'll take a few pictures and post them. I know it's not the same Tach/Speedo as was on the American edition of the '82 Seca... Maybe it's the same as the UK version?

Cheers,
Lucky

 

aargh. The rim is "stomped" on; speedometer repair shops usually have the means to stomp a new one on for you; whether they're willing is another story.

I would be sure you have a way to get it back together, then you can mangle the edges and get into it that way.

 

Re: How to disassemble Tach on 1982 XJ650RJC?

You're right, it's stomped on. One pic is of disassembled Tach, other is of rim stomped onto the edge of the can. At this point, I'm wondering if I might be able to just cut across the rim to get it off then maybe use something like JB Weld to put it back together again?

Any advice or suggestions would be really appreciated :?

Cheers,
Lucky

 

Re: How to disassemble Tach on 1982 XJ650RJC?

You could get it apart that way, but when it's assembled, it compresses a thin rubber gasket between the rim and the can. I don't think you could accomplish that and have JBWeld hold it. I'd take it to a speedo shop and ask them if they could reassemble it if you get it apart.

 

I've had limited success by gently prying the back of the gauge ferrule (where the ring meets the can) apart, with a small screwdriver you don't care about anymore, and slowly working around the diameter. In this way, the damage will be hidden by the beauty ring and you can squeeze it back together after affecting repairs.

 

Thanks for the tip, BigFitz. Since there's no speedo shops in the area (unless you were referring to bathing suits ), I might have to try Robert's method. I'm wondering though if carving tiny slits into the stomped portion of the rim with a dremel might make it easier to remove. If it works, I'd essentially be bending a series of small metal tabs rather than a continuous piece.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again,
Lucky

 

I like the "tabs" idea a lot.

 

I've found that if you wrap the outside with a piece of tape so you wont scratch it. Then put a large hose clamp around the black beazel just up to the bottom of it, tighten it up. Then use your small screwdriver to pry up the tab holding it onto the plastic. This way you wont deform the roundness of whats visible when you put it back together.