Last Straw...82 550 Maxim Tach Drive

Well, after completely replacing the seal and o-ring and reconditioning the housing and getting a new tach cable, the drive lasted about 200 miles leak free. Now it is dripping again.

So...what bikes had the electric tachometer in the round gauge pod type? And does anyone have one? It is about time to plug off the mechanical drive hole to prevent leaks, and hook one up to the coil wires.

Has anyone done this and what is all involved? I need to take care of this asap.

Thanks.

 

I had a similar problem with my tach drive housing leaking on my Seca after I replaced the oil seal and o-ring.

My problem turned out to be the tach cable screw-on cap coming loose from vibration after riding a couple hundred miles.

I installed a rubber o-ring between the flange on the tach cable and the cap. The o-ring prevents the cap from coming loose and I haven't had any more leakage in over 500 miles.

It's a pretty cheap fix that might solve your leak too. If it doesn't your only out about $0.35.

 

you unscrewed the cable and slipped an o-ring in the cap on the cable, then screwed it back on?

Mine does vibrate loose.

 

Right.

I found an o-ring that I could stretch over the flange on the cable so that it was between the flange and the cap. Then I screwed it back on and it hasn't come loose since.

 

I am having the same problem on my 82 XJ550, but I think the problem is in the o-ring around the gear assembly that connects the tach cable to the engine body. Take out the allen wrench hex nut that holds the retainer clip (after taking off the cable if you want) and pull straight out on the whole assembly, which is about two inches long and has a gear that was deep inside the engine. You'll notice an o-ring between the gear and the outside. I think mine is leaking there, and I don't know how to replace that one without replacing the whole gear assembly.

 

That o-ring I replaced with a generic one and that didn't work, then I replaced with the Yamaha part and it works great. The oil seems to be seeping by the seal around the gear shaft. When I tighten the tach cable it stops, but then the cable nut gets loose and it leaks again.

 

I have replaced the inner seal and outer o-ring twice with factory parts and still have the leak and the collar loosening up. I even went so far as to replace the gear housing and polishing the gear shaft. No dice. I slipped a thin o-ring around the gear housing and the collar still loosens up after a while. I cleaned the outer threads and collar very throughly and used a dab of low-strenght (purple) Loctite and haven't had the collar slip off yet. I simply accept my bikes character now, drips and all.

 

well I put the o-ring in there last night and tightened up the threads with a little teflon tape. We'll see how long it takes to leak now.

 

in an odd turn of events...

I pulled the threaded sleeve and cleaned it up with brake parts cleaner, and did the same on the accepting threads in the housing. I then slathered a coat of high temp RTV on the threads of the sleeve and screwed it in. After wiping off the excess, I then re-installed the tach cable with the o-ring still between the cap and the flange of the cable and let it dry overnight. I went on a 250 mile ride yesterday and didn't lose a single drop of oil. The cable attachment did not come loose either. My conclusion was that the oil was getting by the outer circumference of the oil seal and not the center around the gear shaft as I suspected. After sealing this in so it had no way out, the leak was gone. Now I will just have to wait and see how long it will last this time.

Thought I would update the thread. I am not 100% convinced this is going to be a permanent fix, but it is a start. As for replacing the gauges with that electrosport part, I am thinking about it, but I was also approved to purchase a newer Yammie (FZ6)...so I might not be keeping the bike.

 

Yell here on XJ if you're really getting rid of it. I know there are people who'd want to keep an eye on it.

 

it will be posted if I decide to sell. Probably later this year, during the winter sometime.

 

Excellent news for you, but hate to hear that I'm losing a 82 XJ550 Maxim cohort! Mine keeps rockin on. It's a babe.

 

not lost yet. I still haven't decided yet.

 

keep the faith, but if you move on, let me know what ya got. i don't know what could be better than my 550 , but who knows! (no i don't have any 8-tracks)