Topic: Repro speedo & tacho?

[disco]

Hi Guys,

I bought a set of used Nippon Denso CB750 gauges off fleabay & whilst they appeared to be OK, neither of them operate properly. The speedo stops working at 40mph & the tacho at 3,000 rpm. I have new cables on both.

I'm thinking of just buying a set of the repro gauges that are around $100 USD each. Has anyone here on the forum got any real world experience with the repro speedo & tacho's? 

 

[pjlogue]

I haven't purchased repro gages so I can't offer a reliable source for them but, having restored my bike last year, I found some of the repro parts to be lacking either in proper function or form.  Some were not usable at all.  With an outlay of $100 each I would get them from a source someone on the board vouches for. 

The gages you got on flea bay might be salvageable if you open them up and clean them.  They are a simple design.  The spring inside can rust and cause problems and the damping can leak out.  Not much else to go wrong.  Opening them up and closing them back up is a pain but doable.

-P. 

[drumstyx]

Where are the repro gauges? Restored oem gauges run about $250usd each

[disco]

2 Fast Moto in OH. They're actually $78 USD, not $100 as I stated earlier!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201641516820?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[drumstyx]

I think I could deal with the slightly different looking faces, but the tachometers redline at 9500!! Such a good deal otherwise

[Grabcon]

Disco let us know what these are like if you decide to buy. I am interested as my speedo and tach are a little wonky although there physical condition is good they kind of flop around when they get warmed up.

For me the 9.5k tach is not an issue since that is what I have. But I also have a 150 mph speedo and from the cool factor that is an issue.

[przjohn]

I bought them, the speedo trip reset knob and stem fell off in the first hour. They now sit on a shelf as I restored the originals with the CB750 faces kit.

[jonda500]

I bought them both separately from the same seller (mph as I couldn't find any kph speedos at the time). The speedo performed flawlessly until I eventually replaced it with a genuine one. The tacho I had to replace straight away as it  turned out to be a 750 ratio one - I got a full refund for it after complaining several times that it didn't work right (I didn't know 550/750 tachos were different back then!). Also, the tacho had different, much shinier paint than the speedo 
Getting a matching working set for my 550 has been a bear! I have two more sets not in this pic - I can't believe how many different sets were used over the years! I'll send you the aftermarket set for the shipping cost if you want them?
John
The speedo has 1817miles on it...

[Davez134]

2 Fast Moto in OH. They're actually $78 USD, not $100 as I stated earlier!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201641516820?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I bought those same gauges for my 750. Chinese crap. They look good, speedo was OK, but trip reset stopped working shortly after buying. The tach is useless, after about a week, the needle would just bounce between 2000 and 7000 rpm back and forth. I was sent a new one figuring it was defective, but the same thing happened again. save your money and just restore some (its pretty easy and parts are available from cb750faces.com)

I got a set from Stev-o and just restored them. Here are some pictures in my build thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,139768.msg1740827.html#msg1740827

[disco]

Thanks Jonda! I've sent you a PM regarding the repro gauges.

I'll see how they go. If they self destruct then I'll try rebuilding the original ND gauges. I'm time poor at moment. Just finished rebuilding a K2 & got it registered last week. Only another two K2's waiting for their treatment & my K6 needs the front brake looked at.....it's never ending!!

[Terry in Australia]

2 Fast Moto in OH. They're actually $78 USD, not $100 as I stated earlier!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201641516820?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I bought those same gauges for my 750. Chinese crap. They look good, speedo was OK, but trip reset stopped working shortly after buying. The tach is useless, after about a week, the needle would just bounce between 2000 and 7000 rpm back and forth. I was sent a new one figuring it was defective, but the same thing happened again. save your money and just restore some (its pretty easy and parts are available from cb750faces.com)

I got a set from Stev-o and just restored them. Here are some pictures in my build thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,139768.msg1740827.html#msg1740827

+1, there were a lot of cheap crap repro's on ebay a few years ago and I bought some, and they were rubbish. I'd spend the money on a nice restored set from our member in Holland, he did my K0 gauges, and they look like new.

[PeWe]

CB750 K2?
Here is the deal for you! http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=246_251_183_98&products_id=3657&utm_source=submitmail&utm_medium=14

You'll get a bike for that!!! 

[disco]

Thanks PeWe,
I'll take them them. I assume that you're offering to pick up the tab?

[jonda500]

AU$2401.05  holy crap!

[Terry in Australia]

I know a guy who's got a NOS K0 tach in a box that he picked up with a ratty K2 recently. He only paid a few hundred for the K2, kept the cylinder head for one of his bikes, then sold the rest to me for a grand, and he's still got the tach. I think he did well...........

[disco]

Hi John,

Received the Repro Speedo & Tacho today in the mail. They certainly look the part. Haven't had a chance to take the bike out today, but not so sure that that the tach is reading correctly from my garage trial. It seems a little subdued compared to the original ND gauge. Will advise advise further when I get a chance to roadtest. However the gauges certainly look good good & if nothing else will look the part whilst I refurbish the originals. Thanks buddy!!

[PeWe]

I have a complete set Speedo + tach for my bike waiting for installation. NOS CB750 K6. The last buy was from France, only 230 Euro for the speedo (kmh) in mint condition. Std price seems to be around 400 euro each.

[Stev-o]

I got a set from Stev-o and just restored them. Here are some pictures in my build thread:

I still want those back, Dave!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

CB750 K2?
Here is the deal for you! http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=246_251_183_98&products_id=3657&utm_source=submitmail&utm_medium=14

You'll get a bike for that!!! 

1809.13 USD  Obscene.   

[PeWe]

CB750 K2?
Here is the deal for you! http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=246_251_183_98&products_id=3657&utm_source=submitmail&utm_medium=14

You'll get a bike for that!!! 

1809.13 USD  Obscene.   

If I order... add +30% for Customs and VAT for parts + shipping!

[Davez134]

I got a set from Stev-o and just restored them. Here are some pictures in my build thread:

I still want those back, Dave!

Going back to a quote that tormented me in my childhood "losers weepers, winners keepers"  . Thanks again for letting me hone my skills with those!

[jonda500]

Hi John,

Received the Repro Speedo & Tacho today in the mail. They certainly look the part. Haven't had a chance to take the bike out today, but not so sure that that the tach is reading correctly from my garage trial. It seems a little subdued compared to the original ND gauge. Will advise advise further when I get a chance to roadtest. However the gauges certainly look good good & if nothing else will look the part whilst I refurbish the originals. Thanks buddy!!

hey disco, bummer, I am very sorry the tacho turns out to have a lazy needle - I had no 750 to test it on...
I bought a 550 nipon denso tacho which has that problem, I get the feeling it reads at least 10% low compared to the nipon seiki which I had on the bike before.

Has anyone used otto instruments in Australia to get their gauges refurbished?
John

[Nic]

I sent mine to  Toowoomba in QLD, Rick Hyman, reckoned the best gauge refurb on ebay, total no hoper and rip off.
Last I spoke to him he reckoned he was giving up doing them, how come
I use speed hut GPS speedo and elect tacho now, needles are rock steady and tell the truth.

[PeWe]

I bought a Tacho from a bike scrap yard, said to fit CB750. It showed way too high rpm and I learned that CB500 has different tacho gearing. Late CB500 has same size and look as CB750 K6, look the same except for later redline.

[drumstyx]

I sent mine to  Toowoomba in QLD, Rick Hyman, reckoned the best gauge refurb on ebay, total no hoper and rip off.
Last I spoke to him he reckoned he was giving up doing them, how come
I use speed hut GPS speedo and elect tacho now, needles are rock steady and tell the truth.

Shame they cost a bloody fortune. I could build a cluster from an old smartphone for less!