from stock gauges to new tachometer and speedometer

Dear all,
a new question regarding my xj550 seca.. that is evolving to a cafe-style bike (i've just mounted a clubman bar Tommaselli Condor and i've just ordered a thruxton seat cowlthat i'll mount on a modified stock seat)... i'll post some pics as soon as possible.

Now I would like to know if I can substitute stock gauges with a new tachometer and a new speedometer.

i found this online shop:

http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-accessor ... ory_id=8.1

and I like this speedometer (Part #03-0746):



and this tachometer (Part #03-0745):



I know these items are for Yamaha XS650 models, but do you think is possible to mount it on my xj550 seca too?

If yes, do i need to buy speedo/tacho cables too?
Are speedo/tacho connectors and the same (i know there are electrical connections issues)?


again, sorry for my english and Thank you in advance for any input,
mbertazz

 

just a thought electrosport

 

Yes those gauges will work just fine on your bike. I looked into those gauges (just the speedometer) and decided to got one off Ebay instead at a fraction of the cost. The thing I liked about those gauges you mentioned is the fact that they have the LED indicator lights already in them. I had to fabricate my own indicator lights under the speedometer mount, which turned out to work pretty well.

 

thank you PainterD; do i have to buy two driving cables too or can i use xj550 cable?
in any case, if i want to buy backup cables, which i have to choose from here (there are two model for each color...) ?

thanks

 

What year is that Seca? My '81 has mechanical tach and speedo, so the gauges from mikesxs.com are not a drop in replacement, right?

 

Those guys have some slick gear! a little on the pricey side, but I imagine you get what you pay for.

 

my seca ia a '82 model, but i think you're wrong: both speedo and tacho are mechanical cable driven imho...

someone really sure can help on this?

 

All 550's are mechanical speedo and tacho.

You should be able to hook up an electronic tacho to the ignition system/coils and do away with the mechanical side.

Make up a blanking plate for the removed tacho drive and your off and running.

If I was replacing mine, electric tacho would be my choice. :wink:

 

I'm not sure on mine yet, but it looks to me like I'll be needing a little longer speedo cable on mine. I would think if you're mounting the speedometer and tach at the stock location, the cables will reach. I have mine a little higher than the stock gauges to be able to see it over 4" risers.
You can go with the electronic tach and do away with the cable, would be my suggestion.

 

digital speedo is the way to go
no bouncing needles no oil the cable no drive gear hassle
and their always right

 

So. Is that a tricky install?

 

Super easy. I have one.

 

you have to fab up a little bracket that goes under a fender bolt to hold the sender unit thats about 1/2 x 1/2 x 1 and use some double sticky tape to put a magnet on the wheel and thats it
once it's on you can't see it

 

If you want something all-in-one, try these:

http://www.acewell-meter.com/

I've got this one on my streetfighter and it works great:

http://www.acewell-meter.com/c0_1.php?pid=7

 

I zip-tied my pickup to my fork and drilled the disc for the magnet and aligned them. Done deal. 3 minutes.

 

Hi all,

I installed one of the acewell units and will use them on all of my project bikes. They are great.

I spoke to the tech support at electro sport and they told me to replace one of the disc bolts with the magnetic bolts included in the package. Then to create a bracket to mount the sender to the forks. Well, the bolt they sent was the wrong size bolt so I had to mill a hole in the head of one of my existing bolts and inset a magnet. Then I used the existing bracket from my old tach cable to mount the sender on. I pluged the end of the braket so that bearing grease wouldn't ooze out of the end and I brazed a piece of 16 guage sheet metal onto the bracket. I tapped the holes to recieve the screws included in the acewell package. This worked out great and no need to drill holes in your bike or use ugly (no offense) zip ties.

I am also currently working on a dash/ console that will house the acewell and cover the triple tree head and wires that were once hidden by the original guage set. It will have a polished finish. I will post pics and offer kits to those interested when I finish the project.

 

Hi everybody,
Can anyone tell me exactly how to wire an electronic tachometer in my XJ550 TCI's? Or should I hook it to the coils?
I've been looking everywhere for a wiring diagram with no succes.
I would really appreciate your help.
Thanks a lot.

 

What type of new tach are you using? With the Acewell ones you have a tach wire that you can either wrap around the #1 plug lead to get your signal, or hook directly into the tach wire (if your bike has an elec tach).

 

Hey Hillsy,
My bike had a mechanical tachometer, but I've been dealing with oil leaks from the tach gear for the last 12 years. I've tried to fix it several times with new and original O-rings, and every other peace in there, but it kept leaking. So now I've sealed the hole thing up and changed the guts in the tach for electronic ones, but I'm not quite sure where to get the signal from.
You are saying I can use the #1 spark plug? Is there another way?
Thanks so much.

 

Just a note - I remember reading somewhere on the forums that the way some of the XJs fire, electronic tachs getting info from a coil will read differently than the mechanicals, in most cases. I can't remember if they are 1/2 or 2x the actual RPMs, but there is a difference.