Speedometer Replacement, have read archives, have questions.

hello all,
because i have an upcoming multi-day ride w/some friends this labor day wknd, my speedo has seized...of course! i've been wanting to replace the original cluster and i guess this is pushing me off the fence.
i've read previous articles regarding this swap but have not seen any with larger-size replacement options. i'd like something in the 3.5" range if i go old school look or would consider the newer electronic offers such as vapor or acewell. i am a bit apprehensive of the install process w/ the electronic units.
also, the bike will not run if i simply remove the original cluster.
i'm asking for 2 bits of advice here:
1. how can i get the bike to run w/o the cluster?
2. need recommendations for speedo/tach replacements that are as easy as possible.
thanks in advance for your help!

 

I got my xj running w/o the atari but my explanation may take a couple volumes, so hopefully someone else has a more succinct explanation. As far as the speedo goes, Just look for a mechanical speedo that has a 12mm nut and a 2240:60 ratio and you're all set!

You can even find some mechanical speedos that have your oil/brights/turn indicators on the bottom. All you would need to do is take your existing indicator for each, cut the bulb off and wire to the new speedo.

Here's what I did on my rebuild...although these are the smaller mini gauges..

 

man, that looks really great! i'd be happy w/that setup. i think finding a speedo and tach will be easier than re-wiring the atari removal.
thanks for the pic!

 

Depending on your budget...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/82-Yamah ... 43a91ce15f

Note: You could reuse your back cover if it's in better condition than that one listed.

 

Done mean to steal the thread but does any one know what the tacho is measured of? And witch wires to the atari run the tacho?
Thanks
Al

 

Tach comes off the coil. Schematic shows the wire for the coil to the tach is grey (See attached pic, far right side in the center is the tach)



Just make sure your tach is for a dual-fire setup
( I think thats what they call it...) then you run one wire to ground, one to the grey, and another to a hot source (for your light inside the tach, in the above schematic they are using the brown wire for the power source) and you're good to go..
So you look for a grey wire up in the various plugs at the front of the bike, should be your coil wire..

 

Damn $100, 199 buy it now? You can have mine for $75

 

Re: Speedometer Replacement, have read archives, have questi

thanks for the ebay link, at least i know i can do a quick swap if needed.
i agree w/ pauluminous, seems a bit pricey.
anyways....here's what i did today.
i bought a vapor 704 and installed it. now that sounds pretty easy to most of you but for a guy whose kryptonite is electronics, it gave me pause but in the end, goodness triumphed over evil and all systems are working and calibrated.
i can definitely give a thumbs-up to the product and tech support (yeah, i had to call 'em twice).
i mounted it in front of the atari gauges for now and am still hoping for someone to chime in about how to remove orig gauges and still keep all functions routed thru them working.
thanks so far guys, your posts gave me courage to make a damn decision!