1981 xj650H Maxim Speedometer and Tachometer not working

Hello! This is my first post here, but likely wont be the last. I've recently purchased a fairly abused 1981 Maxim, it's my first motorcycle and I bought it for the sake of having a project to learn on.
I've got a huge list of problems with her, but moving forwards, first on the list;

Neither the speedo or the tacho were working when I bought it, the owner included replacement cable for each in the purchase, I installed both today, and the light is now coming on at the top of the guages but neither needle will move, regardless of RPM or MPH. Is this likely to be an electrics issue or something mechanical in the guages?

 

If it's cable driven, and it's not moving then either:
1. The cable's bad or not engaging at 1 or 2 ends
2. The gauge is bad
3. The sending gear is bad or not engaging

Cable driven gauge isn't electrically driven

 

Thanks for the response, this may seem stupid (This is my first time working on a bike) the metal "plug" at the end of each line, that can be pushed in and out of the sleeve freely, does that need to line up and fit into a slot inside of the port or can you just screw the line onto the threading and be done? When I installed them, those little metal plugs got pushed up inside of the sleeve as I screwed them on, it seemed unavoidable really.

 

If you pull on the point one one end, it should pull the other end. If it doesn't, your cable is broken.

Both ends are square, and need to fit in the square hole in the respective drives.

 

Ah, not sure why I hadnt thought of that, thank you for the response, ill take them back off and check them.

 

Also to note, the insert should have a metal stopper on one end, that has to be on the bottom(drive end) to hold it up far enough to engage inside the gauge.
Also, remove cable from the drive end, -and spin insert by finger while holding upward, try left and right rotation, if the needle won't at least wiggle, the gauge is faulty.
Hope this helps

 

I took the tachometer cable out, checked to make sure it wasnt broken and reinstalled correctly and the tach needles moves now! Albeit fairly slowly.. but better than nothing I suppose. Lost daylight, but Ill check the speedo tomorrow.

 

Got the speedo reinstalled, the cable was broken. It works great now, thanks for the help!

 

Yaaay!!!

 

Good stuff