82 tach not working right

[7mmBR]

Symptom is tach has slow and inadequate response, slugggish response, never bounces any little rev. It will climb slowly to I think the correct reading. I improved it a bit by servicing the cable; Removed the assembly from cam cover and it looks fine there, detectable single point of wear on the slow gear there. Cable ends are intact, turns freely, about 1cm end to end play inside it so Im sure cable is good. Started to remove gauge but still attached by lighting wires and with fairing, I stopped for fear of pulling them out and not being able to get them back in! Any tips on repair? I may decide I can get by without tach, not a hot dogger

[Larry Zimmer]

Has the bike been siting long? Such as through a long cold Winter. or, perhaps, 2 or 3 years? I had what I'd say was/is a similar issue with the speedo on my old Suzuki. 10 miles down the road and all is well. I'm thinking that it is the damping oil becoming a bit tacky with age and weather. However, given that it all appears to get 'well' with running, much easier than any repair. Just a thought. Hope it works out for you.

[7mmBR]

Thanks I'll just leave it then and hope for the best, can manage without it. Bike was supposedly ridden until last fall, but symptom seems consistent with viscous fluid, which I didn't know was in there

[wyly]

When rebuilding my 79 I recall carefully prying open my tach for the same reason. I'm assuming that originally there was a factory lubricant that was in there that had turned into a thick gel over 30 years. I cleaned it out put it back together and it's been fine ever since.

[7mmBR]

thanks guys I'll open 'er up and have a look

[EMS]

Do not open the instrument!! Just be patient and run the bike, it will most likely recover.

[7mmBR]

OK that sounds easier, at least for now. Ambient temperature will take a shot up soon here which can only help