XJ650 Speedo

I have a 1982 xj650J. It has one of those ridiculous 85mph speedomoters on it. Does anyone know what happens to it if I go say, 90 or 95? Will the guts come flying out? Or will it just break? And can I swap it out for one of the higher speedometers without too much headache.

Thanks for any help

 

Ive maxed out my speedo plenty of times and the needle just bounces around between 80 and 85. Ive done this on all my cars that have the stupid 85 speedos too. Speedo still works so I don't see any reason to worry about it.

 

I do it regularly with no problems. I think those speedos are way off too. I havent confirmed it with GPS, but at 85 on the speedo doesnt feel like I am going that fast.. Anyone confirmed accuracy?

 

Drove around today looking for a speed trap to check if my speed is close. I couldn't find one anywhere. GPS is a good idea, I should bring that with me next time im out to check my newish gauge cluster.

 

Pretty much any metric bike speedo from that era will work.
I have an FJ speedo on mine.

 

I never liked the original speedometers that only go up to 85 mph. I've since installed one from a Honda that goes up to 100 mph and I burried the needle on that one too. Guess I need one that goes up to 120 mph!
Most of the speedometers from Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, or Kawasaki will work on these bikes if you can find a way to mount them. The cables ends that go into the speedometer seem to be a universal fit with most of them.

 

There is no direct mechanical connection from the cable to the "guts". It just spins a disc with an embedded magnet around another disc that is attached to the needle so there is very little force on it. In fact, the mechanical tach works the same way.

 

Speaking of speedo swap...

Here's my new intrument cluster on my XJ650.

The odometer reading is not the same as my original - I didn't want to break it trying to change it. The tachomenter shows a different red line also. I just have to remember that pinning the tach is now red line.

 

what type of cluster is that? where did you find it?

Fred

 

I can answer that. It's a 550 Seca cluster, and it's really easy to fit a speedo from a newer Yamaha into it with some minor grinding of plastic...





As for the odometers: If you carefully slip a fingernail between the segments from behind you can separate one from the one next to it that it's indexed by and roll it to the next "notch." In other words if you want to change the "100s" position you need to lift it away from the "10s" it won't affect the "1000s" unless you roll it past 9. THIS MUST BE DONE VERY CAREFULLY I only go one "click" at a time, and didn't "chance it" with my new NOS 150mph unit.

 

I believe it came off an '82 XJ550 SECA. I got it from eBay. The instrument cluster had a mechanical tach which I, with much difficulty, replaced with an electronic tach from a 1985 XJ700. The red line is different but I'm not much for pinning the tach anyway.

I only have to run the wire to the fuel level sensor and it will be finished. The instruments anyway - I don't think one is ever completely done with these older bikes.

 

I just noticed something else...

That's not the original tach for that cluster. The original tach for the 550 Seca would have a 10K redline just like the one in my pic. Someone before you figured out how easy it is to swap instruments in those...

 

Hey Fitz, a few questions...

What bike did you get your speedo from? And is your tach mechanical or electronic? If electronic, where did it come from? What about that cool little clock under your keys?

BTW, aren't you missing some flat washers on your cluster mounting bolts? <grin>

 

Sorry, it looks like YOU figured it out. You type faster than I do...

 

gitbox a few answers: The speedo was NOS in a box off eBay. The BOX was for a Seca 750 speedo, which is how the seller had it listed, which it ain't. No 750 owners bid, so I got it for $20. I'm reasonably sure it's from an XJ900. I had to amputate the trip odo reset (for now) to get it to fit.

Tach is an original mechanical Seca 550 tach with the needle repainted to resemble the one in the speedo. I HAVE a more closely-matching electronic tach from an FZ or FJ600 (the needle is white, but I got needle paint) I haven't installed yet.

The clock is a Formotion "stick on" made specifically for motorcycles; see http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15443.html for my details; the Formotion website is http://www.formotionproducts.com/ It wasn't super-cheap but it's really a quality piece.

And nope, those bolts didn't have flat washers under them originally, so I didn't feel the need to add any. (I did replace the flat washer/lock washer/nut on the BOTTOM with a self-locking flange nut to make reassembly easier, but you can't see that.)

You should be able to wire in the voltmeter (if you haven't already) and possibly even get the fuel gauge functioning.

Also, I replaced the "dash lights" (only) with 5-LED superbrite white 1394 equivalents, it really makes a difference.