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Author Topic: Speedo/ Tachometer work  (Read 5311 times)

Offline Tiedie

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Speedo/ Tachometer work
« on: August 19, 2026, 08:06:18 PM »
So my speedo is ticking miles as if they were tenths so adding up fast. Anyone have any recommendations to repair or refurbush.
While im at it I'll send in my tach to get done at the same tims it bounces and has that famous glass fog in cooler weather.
Thanks in advance for any help making a decision where to send.
« Last Edit: September 07, 2026, 03:36:06 PM by Tiedie »

Offline Tiedie

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Re: Speedo work
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2026, 01:48:04 PM »
Ok so I sent Speedometer out for repair they got it on a Friday Augest 28 and was repaired on Tuesday the Sept. 1st. Got it on Sept. 5th.
While I waited on it I did some/lot of  research about the bouncy Tachometer. Since most of our bikes are older and they recieve a dirty or unstable electrical signal form the ignition coil.
So I started with the black ground wire at the coil that goes to the Tach and cut and spliced in with solder and shrink wrap one 10k Ohm resister in that. IF the bounce is reduced we will see, if not then I'll be replacing that 10k ohm with a 47k ohm resitsor.
Then I pulled the ICU module off and cleaned the contacts, while that was off I separated it from its mounting bracket and cleaned with alcohol wipes and reapplied new Heat Sink to it and reinstalled everything.
Then I replaced the OEM (I think) plug wires and caps with new 5k Ohm resistor plug caps. Coil was black and no cracks.
Relocated the Battery Negative cable with a 21 inch 4 Gauge from Battery cables usa one end with a 6m lug and the other end 12m lug and ran it to the right side motor mount /header hanger bolt. Nice and neat with a solid ground.
While I was there removing the negative cable from the transmission breather bolt I replaced the Speedometer cable and put in another washer onto the breather to act as a battery cable lug. I took it on a 4 mile trip and things looked good. Tomorrow I ride to work and see how everythig does.
Ride safe!
« Last Edit: September 07, 2026, 07:41:53 PM by Tiedie »

Offline dostoy320

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Re: Speedo/ Tachometer work
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2026, 10:50:42 AM »
Can I ask where you had your speedometer work done? My speed and trip meter work, but the odometer just kinda vibrates through random numbers.

I heard good things about Overseas Speedometer and reached out for a quote. Rick Broth replied that they no longer "work on bikes" due to lack of parts.

Offline Tiedie

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Re: Speedo/ Tachometer work
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2026, 07:07:13 PM »
 I had Joel Levine down in GA do it it was much more reasonable than the others out West. He has  a website and will call you. Turn around was he got it Thursday and sent it back out the next Tuesday and I got it on Saturday. Sent out August 24th 2026 and got it back September 5th 2026. Not a bad turn around time.

Offline dostoy320

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Re: Speedo/ Tachometer work
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2026, 09:39:21 PM »
Thank you!

Offline Paul H.

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Re: Speedo/ Tachometer work
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2026, 10:56:07 AM »
Tiedie, Just a fallow up. Did the 10k resister solve your tach problem? I'm having a widely fluctuating tach (84 R65) and plan to do a contact clean up as you outlined. Snowbum's article on the VBMWOA site suggest replacing the capacitors on the tach circuit board but did not suggest a resistor from the coil. I have seen that suggested for other electronic tachs so hoping for a simple fix. Thanks
I'm just along for the ride.
R50/2 1967
R65 1984
K75RT 1992
Norton ES2 1962

Offline Tiedie

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Re: Speedo/ Tachometer work
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2026, 07:17:59 PM »
Hey Paul just saw this so hopefully it helps.
Ok here's the scoop on my situation. The 10k did ok but I changed it out with a 47k ohm 1/2 wat resistor and it calmed down greatly. Now let me also say that I'm running a Siebenbrock 860 power kit also so that produces a bunch of noises.
That's out of the way. I am also having bean can issues sooo switching to the EME digital ignition kit and new .3 ohm coils , which hopefully will help tame the tach too. But am planing on doing the capacitors in the tach too. I have all the parts on order and they should be here in the next few days. The tach  capacitors I'll tackle this winter or sooner.

I have extra 10K and 47k I'll be happy to send you a couple if you want.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2026, 04:41:57 AM by Tiedie »

Offline Paul H.

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Re: Speedo/ Tachometer work
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2026, 12:35:07 PM »
Hi Tiedie and all. First thank greatly for the resistors but as it turns out I didn't need them. I had already  carefully cleaned and lubed the speedo. Hardest part is getting the bezel on and off but ultra sonic clean and reassembly went well. As far as the bouncy tach I like you went through all the contact points and cleaned them up and a new smear of dielectric grease (Dow Corning 4 Electric Insulating Compound) This is from Snowbum's excellent article on electronic tachs.

"Problems in bike's wiring &/or in the ignition circuitry; even some green corrosion in the ignition coil towers or kill switch, etc., can cause weird readings ...be sure those are not the problem!  Only good way to be sure the KILL switch is not at fault is to bypass it, temporarily ....although if cleaned, and then symptoms gone, you found the problem.  Green corrosion is particularly annoying and problematical, as it can help create a 'diode effect'."

There was a bit of corrosion on the coil connections but my last stop was the kill switch. Took it apart and beside a dead bug there was a good deal of green corrosion on the copper disk meeting with the steel spring. 30 years in a shed took its toll. Cleaned it all up as above and yesterday went on a 50 mile test ride. Tach and speedo were perfect! As new, solid and not a hint of wobble. Call me a happy camper.
I'm just along for the ride.
R50/2 1967
R65 1984
K75RT 1992
Norton ES2 1962

Offline Tiedie

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Re: Speedo/ Tachometer work
« Reply #8 on: Today at 04:29:19 AM »
Awesome, I was glade to provide the resistors since I have more than I needed.