Topic: Tach Cable Seal Leaks - One More Time....

[mark]

Sure enough... these darn things leak. My bike, the parts bike, and a spare top end - all 3 dripping from the tach cable.
I just read through a number of threads on this subject, and believe that I have finally found the problem.
OK... a couple of problems. (a) 30+ year old rubber seal hard as a rock and just plain worn out...... BY..... (b) a shaft which could double as a file.



At left - a chainsaw file. Center - stock shaft. Right - shaft with sealing area polished.
My photo, unfortunately, does not do justice to how truly raspy the stock shaft is - where the oil seal rides.

The seal runs on the rough part between the flat end and the bearing surface.
I spent about 5 minutes with small bits of 320, 600, 1500 grit wetsand paper to make the sealing part of the shaft nice and smooth and shiny.
An original replacement seal and a new o-ring for the holder complete the job.
It took longer to take the pic and type this than it did to fix the problem.


Happy trails.

[mustangcar]

thanks for the polishing tip,every tip is much appreciated,will get around to wetsanding it with 2000 grit sandpaper,i guess this is wise with anything that spins around and rides on a rubber seal

[Johnie]

I have noted some guys have trouble getting the new tach oil seal in place.  I replaced my entire tach cable and cut the old end off.  Now I use it to install the new oil seal.  Works like it was made for that purpose.