Smiths electronic Taco

XTINCT said:

That is totally unacceptable. Why would anyone want a tach or speedo that could not be used in the rain. I was considering such, but now it is off the list.
Thanks for the heads up.

Click to expand...

I agree as well. I'm so fed up with the stock speedo drive failures, I was actually planning to slog through the goofy instructions,
http://kullendesign.com/smithgaugewebsite/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Smiths-A4-Wiring.jpg

hook up 8! wiring connections
http://kullendesign.com/smithgaugewebsite/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Smiths-A4-Wiring2.jpg

find the never-illustrated "toggle switch" (which I don't believe is actually a toggle switch), and spend $400 (one must buy the "accessory" sending unit for $90 to make it work).
I can barely imagine the frustration of having to unhook and replace one just cause it got rained on. And if it took a Pazon unit out with it? No bloody way I cd put up with that.

Why are some of these branded Puca? They all seem to be coming from Caerbont?
https://www.caigauge.com/history-of-cai

Hi Peeeleven,

i bought few months ago also a electronic Smiths tachometer from AN UK….just to get rid off the leaking tachometer drive.

I did all the wiring new on my commando with a self planned self colour coded wiring using some power relays and my old 3 position key-switch from a HD XLR: off-ignition on-ignition and light on


The light of the tachometer worked but the pointer jumped up and the down with the engine running…. Sometimes to zero then worked steady….then rpm depending: jumping up and down and steady again…..drove me crazy!


I thought the wire that is going out from the ignition module [me having a Pazon smartfire] is damaged somehow.

Then I wired the tachometer with the second possibility directly to the ignition coil.

Same working incorrectly result! ...I was realy fed up with this instrument!!!



BUT: long story short:

It was my old ignition switch….had a loose connection inside the switch!!!

The switch worked fine for the ignition….worked fine for the lights…..
BUT not for the new electronic tachometer. Seems that the electronics in there are more sensitive….

Peeeleven, check also the ignition switch!


Cheers, chris

If you are not hung up on the look of the original gauges there are other alternatives. I am considering something like this. I am not endorsing this product. I am just pointing out what kind of stuff is available now.


https://www.motosport.com/trail-tech-voyager-gps-computer-kit-stealth

Gentlemen do not motor about in the rain.

1up3down said:

Gentlemen do not motor about in the rain.

Click to expand...

HEY who are you calling a gentleman????

1up3down said:

Gentlemen do not motor about in the rain.

Click to expand...

Fairies and poseurs don't ride in the rain. Men do what they need to do.

I would never fit an electronic tacho to a classic bike. It is so bloody wrong ! If you do that you might as well buy yourself a nice brand new Honda, it would show you have better appreciation of what is good.
If you want something which looks right for the classic period, buy a tacho off an RG250 Suzuki. It has the classic flexible mount and the cable-driven gearbox on the back. Whenever I see a commando 'attention to detail' is what I really like. When you fit an electronic tacho to a Commando, you have lost the plot.

acotrel said:

I would never fit an electronic tacho to a classic bike. It is so bloody wrong ! If you do that you might as well buy yourself a nice brand new Honda, it would show you have better appreciation of what is good.

Click to expand...

Do you even know what the electronic Smiths tach look like?

Well I bit and they do look very close to real. Almost a grand Cdn. into them and sender unit and electrical problems , could be my wiring efforts due to the pathetic instructions needing a magnifying glass to read the tiny fuzzy letters. Need clearer instructions in North America language.

acotrel said:

I would never fit an electronic tacho to a classic bike. It is so bloody wrong ! If you do that you might as well buy yourself a nice brand new Honda, it would show you have better appreciation of what is good.
If you want something which looks right for the classic period, buy a tacho off an RG250 Suzuki. It has the classic flexible mount and the cable-driven gearbox on the back. Whenever I see a commando 'attention to detail' is what I really like. When you fit an electronic tacho to a Commando, you have lost the plot.

Click to expand...

I suppose you feel the same about electronic ignitions and modern tires?

You might be happy living in the past but I'm not.

Brooking 850
both my electronic speedo and tacho have been 100% waterproof and no condensation but make sure the rubber cover underneath is fitted, and I block off or seal redundant cable holes and leave a drain hole, if not waterproof they,re faulty so return them.

Peeeleven
try fitting the tacho signal wire direct to the coil terminal rather than to the dedicated electronic tacho wire from the ignition unit, can,t recall if it,s + or - this has worked for me using Pazon, Trispark and Boyer units.
This is only for the miniature twin lead coils generally used with these units by the way, no idea with a stock type twin coil setup.

KiwiNeill said:

Brooking 850
both my electronic speedo and tacho have been 100% waterproof and no condensation but make sure the rubber cover underneath is fitted, and I block off or seal redundant cable holes and leave a drain hole, if not waterproof they,re faulty so return them.

Peeeleven
try fitting the tacho signal wire direct to the coil terminal rather than to the dedicated electronic tacho wire from the ignition unit, can,t recall if it,s + or - this has worked for me using Pazon, Trispark and Boyer units.
This is only for the miniature twin lead coils generally used with these units by the way, no idea with a stock type twin coil setup.

Click to expand...

All sorted now , connected the trigger wire onto the same - Neg terminal on the coil as the wire from the Pazon unit. So far all working well . The reason I replaced my old one was because the needle broke for the second time and I'am not wasing any more cash on getting a wanky smiths magnetic instrument fixed. I did think about putting a pair of Chrono's on but the plan was to put them on my G15csr.

I think the electronic tachometer is a good early warning device, mine started playing up, and I thought ‘here we go, gotta return it, argue, etc”
Long story short... I had a damaged terminal in the ign housing. I fixed that and the tacho worked perfectly again.

I really like the rock steady needle and accurate, reliable, nature of them. So much so, I also fitted a pair to my Bonnie and have another pair going on another project.

Sadly, being something of a fairy and poser, I cannot report on their wet weather durability other than to say they’ve survived the odd shower and being parked outside in overnight rain.

Shed the fairy poser guise Nigel and head out in the rain for some informative feedback !
I would like one, just want to make sure they will hold up in the wet
Regards Mike

Sounds like the Electronic clocks are built to the same weather proofing standard as my originals...just washed my bike and can see condensation under the 44* yrs old Taco glass.

My freshly overhauled magnetics look great and work great if you keep it below 6omph. After that they start with the
wiggling. Annoying. But it could be the drive, the cable or the head. Enough! Ill have to man up and try at least the
speedo.