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Author Topic: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4  (Read 3726 times)

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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #25 on: September 04, 2018, 08:33:32 AM »
Could it be that all the instruments have had the damper fluid dried up?

I'd still, at least, examine the cam engagement teeth.

Cheers,
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Offline robvangulik

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #26 on: September 04, 2018, 10:31:19 AM »
Quote from: calj737 on September 04, 2018, 03:42:32 AM
Fix it so its right as it was from the factory for EVERY bike.
I'm afraid that is not completely true, i've got a '70s test in my "library" which complaints about both the speedo and tacho of the cb750F1 going totally of the scale near topspeed, while those of the 550 tested simultanuously were quite accurate. I could scan and post it but that would only be useful for the few Dutchmen here...
Fun point is that the tester, now far in his seventies, is now a member of our Dutch Cbfoursohc club.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #27 on: September 04, 2018, 11:38:52 AM »
Quote
Fun point is that the tester, now far in his seventies, is now a member of our Dutch Cbfoursohc club.
That must be Guus then. :D
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Offline 43and countiing

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #28 on: September 04, 2018, 04:13:22 PM »
Thanks for all the feedback. I've since heard that the cable itself is picking up vibration at higher speeds. Is it possible to pull the cable out of it's housing completely, clean/lube the entire cable, and then re-insert it into the housing and reattach? I'm also going to try the sheepskin padding as suggested below.
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Offline robvangulik

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #29 on: September 04, 2018, 04:27:45 PM »
Quote from: Deltarider on September 04, 2018, 11:38:52 AM
Quote
Fun point is that the tester, now far in his seventies, is now a member of our Dutch Cbfoursohc club.
That must be Guus then. :D
Yep, van de Beek. Great guy to talk to!
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Offline calj737

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #30 on: September 04, 2018, 05:02:43 PM »
Quote from: 43and countiing on September 04, 2018, 04:13:22 PM
Thanks for all the feedback. I've since heard that the cable itself is picking up vibration at higher speeds. Is it possible to pull the cable out of it's housing completely, clean/lube the entire cable, and then re-insert it into the housing and reattach? I'm also going to try the sheepskin padding as suggested below.
Yes, it disconnects from either end by unscrewing it. Lube it up, then try again. Else, probably the damping fluid in the gauge itself.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline 43and countiing

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #31 on: September 05, 2018, 04:46:14 PM »
Update: So I pulled the cable, and packed it in the "Multi-lube lithium EP" grease I have. It is a soap base-lithium 12-hydroxystearate, NLGI No. 2 lb...basically a general-purpose grease for automotive and industrial uses.
Took it for a ride, and it was like new for about 20 minutes...easily getting to the 5500 rpm mark it couldn't do before, and steady all the way. Then, after crossing a few of the hated road-heave rises at the road joints, it broke loose again. (Even at that point, it worked perfectly during acceleration to 6000RPM)
The fact that this worked as it did makes me think that the issue is in the cable itself, though it is new.
thoughts?, and can anyone advise if there is a different grease I should use...this one does seem to break down after use and a little heat. Is there anything out there that holds it's viscosity (thick)?
My sincere thanks for all the useful feedback. I feel "close, but no cigar" yet...
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #32 on: September 06, 2018, 12:57:52 AM »
Have you tried speedometer cable lube?

It usually has graphite in it and appears black.

Cheers,
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline 43and countiing

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #33 on: September 06, 2018, 01:54:09 PM »
My concern with a graphite lube is that given, the gear runs into the cam, graphite...a rough material..would act like pouring sand into the engine if it made its way down there, which I think is inevitable...
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #34 on: September 06, 2018, 04:14:11 PM »
There is a seal that separates the cable lube from the engine lube.

It had graphite lube on the drive cable from the factory.

I don't know why you think graphite is abrasive.  It is a pretty slippery lube.

Cheers,
« Last Edit: September 06, 2018, 04:16:26 PM by TwoTired »
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Shaky tachometer on 1975 Honda 550/4
« Reply #35 on: September 07, 2018, 05:18:28 PM »
Know a guy in Australia who has developed/developing a drop in replacement for a tach or speedo with 2 auxillary functions with display in the gauge face you cut slots in the original faceplate.  The speedo uses a Hall Sensor for speed and the tach a signal from your coils. Should be in the $150-175/ea range when teething problems if any are resolved. The gauge needle is driven by a stepper motor, so no jittery readout...jut like modern tach and speedo designs these days use the stepper motors.
You have to cut into your gauge (disassemble it) cut the face plate with the template marked out for the face plate and reassemble. It reuses your instrument housing, faceplate, needle and it has two settings buttons that have to be housed somewhere accessible. I think the reset button is also external or you put a port in the back of the gauge where if it is needed it can be reached with some work. (beneath a tape cover)

His solution gives you modern electronics and no mechanical cable drives.
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