1965 Atlas Tachometer drive unit ratio's

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Installing a tachometer on my 1965 Atlas. My gage "aftermarket" is stamped 4:1 Not sure what tach drive unit to purchase. 1:1 2:1 4:1 ???????
Seem to be getting conflicting information. Very confused.
 
The camshaft gives a reduction of 2:1 so a 4:1 tachometer needs a 2:1 drive gearbox the same as the early 20M3 Commando (as all Commando tachometers were 4:1).
(The original Atlas tachometer would have been 2:1, therefore, had a 1:1 drive gearbox.)
 
The camshaft gives a reduction of 2:1 so a 4:1 tachometer needs a 2:1 drive gearbox the same as the early 20M3 Commando (as all Commando tachometers were 4:1).
(The original Atlas tachometer would have been 2:1, therefore, had a 1:1 drive gearbox.)
What other ratios were used to drive Smiths tachos? The tach on my atlas seems inaccurate - reads fast - but not by a factor of 2. It's possible I got the meter head off a Triumph or BSA.

I do have the vertical, brass drive unit. There are angled ones for swept-back pipes but I don't know if they can be had new. I had one with the traditional (in USA anyway) Indian-head nickel replacing the plug in the end but I think it went with the bike I sold.
 
What other ratios were used to drive Smiths tachos?

The tacho drives were generally 1:1, 2:1, or 4:1.

The tach on my atlas seems inaccurate - reads fast - but not by a factor of 2. It's possible I got the meter head off a Triumph or BSA.

Possibly as there were also 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, etc. tachos, the tacho gearbox crank-to-cable output ratio should match the ratio printed on the dial.
 
From memory the ratio of the tacho on a Commando is 2 to 1. I found the tacho off an RG250 Suzuki is the same ratio, and looks identical to a tacho of an Italian racer of the 1950s. The gearbox on the back of the unit is reversible by undoing two screws. The tacho off an RGV250 Suzuki is electronic.
$50 at thec wreckers.
 
The tacho drives were generally 1:1, 2:1, or 4:1.



Possibly as there were also 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, etc. tachos, the tacho gearbox crank-to-cable output ratio should match the ratio printed on the dial.
Number on the dial is 3003/00A or possibly 004.
 
Number on the dial is 3003/00A or possibly 004.

According to the Smiths list the RSM 3003/00 would be the correct magnetic tacho for an Atlas* (from '64?). The "A" likely indicates a later replacement production run or minor alteration so would still be correct but probably not the original tacho.
*(Also 650, P11, N15, various Matchless, etc.)

Your RSM 3003/00A tacho, therefore, should be marked "RPM, x100, 2-1"...
1965 Atlas Tachometer drive unit ratio's


... the matching drive gearbox would be a 1:1 BG 1508/05.
 
According to the Smiths list the RSM 3003/00 would be the correct magnetic tacho for an Atlas* (from '64?). The "A" likely indicates a later replacement production run or minor alteration so would still be correct but probably not the original tacho.
*(Also 650, P11, N15, various Matchless, etc.)

Your RSM 3003/00A tacho, therefore, should be marked "RPM, x100, 2-1"...
1965 Atlas Tachometer drive unit ratio's


... the matching drive gearbox would be a 1:1 BG 1508/05.
Thanks, L.A.B. On GM speedometers that I've had apart, there is an adjustment for the spring to calibrate the speed correctly. If there is such an adjustment on a smiths magnetic tacho I could not find it. I have two of these, one I took apart intending to clean the face but never did. How would one check for accuracy? Maybe the one that's apart it better.
 
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