Tach/Speedo and Cables

Since I bought my 650, the tach and speedo have not operated properly. They are illuminated, but do not function as meant to. My tach has been attached properly, and fastened on both ends, and yet still reads nothing. I have yet to hook my speedo cable up because at the wheel where I am to connect it, there are frayed wires and nowhere for the "drive" of the wire to insert.

What do you suggest, KZ Gurus? Any cheap aftermarket tricks? Easiest and kindest on the wallet possible would work out great

How about some photos of these frayed wires?

It sounds to me like your cables are broken (at least).

Hey there, I am pretty sure that is my old bike! I was wondering what happened to it. Yeah when I had it the tach and speedo never worked. The speedo drive at the wheel was shot and I bought a working drive and cable off of ebay to install but never got around to it but I did give it to whoever bought it along with a lot of other misc. parts. The cable was rusted to the drive so that is why you might still see frayed wire coming out of the speedo drive, I had to yank the speedo cable off and the rest is just rusted in there. As for the tach, I can't remember the deal with that but I am pretty sure it was a bum cable as well.

Are you in the Tulsa area?

Post edited by: 77Davo650, at: 2007/09/24 11:48

Yeah, after looking at the bike in your avatar closer, that WAS my old bike, I can tell by the seat I glassed and the "custom" tail. As I recall, the guy I sold it to swapped engines so you might also verify what year your engine is as well because the 77 electronics were different from the 78 and on models.

You might also appreciate the history of the bike from me...(link below)

davoarts.googlepages.com/entrance232

Post edited by: 77Davo650, at: 2007/09/24 11:56

Yep, I am in the tulsa area, 91st and Yale to be exact. I HAVE seen your history on the bike! It was pretty cool to go look at. I have found some problems with wiring, and yea, jumping the solenoid is crappy, but kickstarting it, no big deal. I have issues that need to be worked out, so if you have some free time ever and are willing, by all means teach.

My sons tach (1978 KZ 1000 A2A) didn't work when we got his bike going. Cables and drive checked out fine. I opened up the tach assembly and after 2 drops of oil from a precision oiler and a little limbering up, tach works like a champ. Speedo problem was old age. It reads about 6 mph faster than he's going.

Your speedo sounds like you have a piece of an old cable broke off in the drive. Does your speedo show anything if you spin the cable with an electric drill. Caution here: don't spin the drill to fast and a reversing drill helps. It seems like when I do this the drill is always turning the wrong direction.

It did, and I just pulled it out with a pair of adjustable clamps, win time for me.

However, how do i know where the key is that slides into the notch on my cable? Do i feel for it or just simply plug it up and it should work??

Teach me wise ones.