Author Topic: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach  (Read 3230 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline tinyrobot

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 276
  • Mock it up before you Fock it up!
    • ChiVinMoto
Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« on: March 04, 2008, 12:12:26 PM »
During my cb750k8 rework I am going for a more unpolished, dirty, race aesthetic.    I would love to use a Motogadget classic but that kinda ridiculous since my bike didn't cost that much.  I am looking for something to work with out the stock tach cable.  I have looked for Smiths, Scitsu, Motogadget, and Elliot here in the US without much luck.  The Autometers are too big for my liking.

Does anybody know a "Race" inspired tach that will work of the coils and preferably back lit?

Here are my search parameters:
4 cyl.
10,000-12,000 range
2.5-3" dia.
back lit
cost less than $200US
*edit:Analog needle display*

I think this will be a hard fins, but I'm hopeful.
Thanks guys
« Last Edit: March 04, 2008, 01:04:59 PM by tinyrobot »

Offline dusterdude

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,488
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2008, 12:44:27 PM »
me too,if anyone finds one,let us know.
mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
1998 cbr600 f3

Offline scondon

  • No way my run was THAT slow, must be an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,137
  • Mmmm......tasty bugs
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2008, 01:03:13 PM »
  Check KOSO website (Canada). I got a really good mini tach for $125 and they actually called me to discuss my ignition set-up and needs. Too small according to your specs, but everything else matches. Most electric tachs I've come by need at least a Dyna S ignition in order to read(points/condensors signal is too "dirty" from what I've been told)
Give me..a frame to build a bike on, and my imagination will build upon that frame

Offline lordmoonpie

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,053
  • Feal the Fear and do it anyway...
    • Moonpie
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2008, 01:05:55 PM »
If you want scitsu, talk direct to the manufactureres - they're still well in business in the UK. They are Dawson Harmsworth Limited and can be found using:
Address: PO Box 3606, Sheffield, S6 2YZ, UK
Telephone:  +44 (0)114-233 7460
Fax:  +44 (0)114-232 4232

They don't have a website - proper engineering company  ;D

Prices used to be around the £120 mark for a tacho with onboard battery so about $240USD. With shipping it might be out of your price range? Great blokes though and sometimes have secondhand items for sale.

oh - and they run fine off points/condensors. Had one on my Ikuzawa Honda which ran points/condensor
1994 Ducati 888 SP5
1951 Ducati 50cc Cucciolo
1981 Yamaha XV750 SE

Offline tinyrobot

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 276
  • Mock it up before you Fock it up!
    • ChiVinMoto
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2008, 01:06:52 PM »
I have checked KOSO and liked the GP type, but it is pretty overkill for me.  I also edited my OP to included an Analog needle display.  I have a Dyna S ignition currently too.

Offline tsflstb

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 918
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2008, 01:20:23 PM »
since you've got the dyna-s already, this one may work. 

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2DG2870&N=700+115&autoview=sku

I've got one mounted up, but I think I'm suffering from the dirty points signal at higher RPM.  Under 5K, it works perfectly.  I'm debating getting the Dyna-S to solve the issue. It would be interesting to know if it works - I don't see why not.


Offline tinyrobot

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 276
  • Mock it up before you Fock it up!
    • ChiVinMoto
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2008, 01:53:47 PM »
The summit is a pretty nice solution and dirt cheap.  Do I have to worry about waterproofing with automotive tachs?

Offline tsflstb

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 918
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2008, 07:30:01 PM »
That summit tach has a button through the face that changes the backlight color.  It would probably need a small grommet or a dab of clear silicone around it to survive a good shower.  Other than that it seems pretty well sealed.

Offline tinyrobot

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 276
  • Mock it up before you Fock it up!
    • ChiVinMoto
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2008, 07:13:29 AM »
bump for any other suggestions

Offline tinyrobot

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 276
  • Mock it up before you Fock it up!
    • ChiVinMoto
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2008, 11:20:25 AM »
So i found a Yamaha AT2 tach that fits the build.  Does anyone know the gear ratio on these?  Is it 4:1 like the CB750?

Reason I ask is because the tach is smaller that the stock, has the oil and neutral light in it, redl ines at 8 and goes to 10.  Pretty much everything I want, but I have know clue if these will work on the Honda.

here is the ebay link of the one I'm watching:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230229798349&rd=1

Offline scondon

  • No way my run was THAT slow, must be an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,137
  • Mmmm......tasty bugs
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2008, 11:47:41 AM »
 That's a cable driven tach if I'm not mistaken. Wires are just for the lights, no?
Give me..a frame to build a bike on, and my imagination will build upon that frame

Offline tinyrobot

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 276
  • Mock it up before you Fock it up!
    • ChiVinMoto
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2008, 12:25:38 PM »
Yup cable driven.  I am fine with that, I thought it would be nice to clean up all the cables, but finding a tach that does what I'm looking on the cheap is tough.  So, maybe I settle for something like this if it works?

Offline eurban

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,625
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2008, 01:00:31 PM »
You can get a mini mechanical tach and mini speedo for the 750 from various suppliers.  Not sure if that is what you are after but here is a pic of a tach from Cycle Recycler . . . .

Offline KeithB

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 455
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2008, 04:26:48 AM »
Nanahan Man

Offline Bikebuff

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 207
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2008, 05:39:31 AM »
I'm interested in Tinyrobot's quest as I too am looking for something a little smaller than the stock gauges.  Hey TSFLSTB, did Summit Racing also have a matching speedometer?  I'm walking out the door for work now and am short on time.  Anyhow, for $33 plus shipping for the tach, it may be worth starting there. 

Let us know Tinyrobot if that Yammie tach works.

Offline tinyrobot

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 276
  • Mock it up before you Fock it up!
    • ChiVinMoto
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #15 on: March 12, 2008, 09:50:21 AM »
will do, if I don't get out bid on it  ::)

Offline fonz

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 28
  • Satan is my motor.
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #16 on: March 12, 2008, 03:04:57 PM »
I may be mistaken, but I think the cable-driven Yamaha tachs were 5:1. I made the mistake of winning an ebay auction for one only to find this out after it was shipped to me. The thing's still sitting in my garage; I'll check it when I get home tonight.
If you run an automotive tach, I suggest running a very thin bead of clear (or black, if it's got a black bezel and face like mine) around the angle where the lens meets the bezel.
I'm trying an automotive 4-cyl on mine. They're set for 2 pulse like a modern sportbike, so it should work in theory...

Offline bwaller

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,485
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #17 on: March 12, 2008, 06:18:44 PM »
These may be bigger than you wanted plus more work than you're willing to go through but I used 400F gauges. Somewhat smaller (3.25") and one pound lighter than the 550/750 units but the same quality instruments. I had face plates made from Lexan (so I could keep the originals) and had a friend make new decals with redline changes etc.





 

Offline color me gone

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #18 on: December 12, 2011, 11:06:08 AM »
Sorry for digging this thread out of the past, but I keep running across it when searching for tachometer options.
Is that a 400 tach on a 750?  From what I've read in the tech section 650/750 tach ratios are 4:1 and the 550 and under bikes are 20:3.
I'm wondering if a 400f tach would work on my 550 with a 650 cam, in place of the 650 gauge.  Nice job on the faces, those look slick.

Offline veloracermike

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 540
Re: Looking for a "Race" inspired tach
« Reply #19 on: December 12, 2011, 11:26:05 AM »
Check out the Dime City Cycles website...they have several options both mechanical and electric.
WTB 400F Motor! PM me if you've got one!!!!!!!