My Tach has gone WACKO

[thewoodman]

We were out on an overnight this past weekend and upon starting up first thing Saturday morning, the tach needle was below the peg and upon starting would rise to the peg and go no further. What options are there other than replacement? Replacement is fine if there is nothing else to try. How would the needle get below the peg - stop in the first place? Has anyone else had this experience?

Thanks in advance.

[Ricky-D]

I'd suggest trying the regular things since it happened all of a sudden.

Battery, grounding, short circuit, fuses, internal light, the list goes on and on!

If the cause is not mechanical the answer lay in the electrical systems.

***

[Garland]

Check and see if your tail/brake light is working. The tach is on the same circuit to warn you the light is out.

[thewoodman]

Tail lights and stop lights work just fine / I sure hate grounding issues just like everyone else / any other clues would sure help.

thanks

[Daniel Meyer]

Do you by chance have a tank bag with magnets...that you toss on the handlebars while fueling? Or something else with a strong magnet that got near it?

That can swing the needle clear around. Done it to mine on several occasions with the tank bag.

You can swing it back with a magnet...not hard, but take a little playing around...power off while doing it.

[thewoodman]

Hey! That might be it. I do have a tank bag with magnets and I do toss it up on the handlebars when re-fueling. And I have a very strong magnet to try your suggestion. Ain't that an interesting turn of events.

I'll try it and let you know / thanks for this one / it just may do the trick

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Do you by chance have a tank bag with magnets...that you toss on the handlebars while fueling? Or something else with a strong magnet that got near it?

That can swing the needle clear around. Done it to mine on several occasions with the tank bag.

You can swing it back with a magnet...not hard, but take a little playing around...power off while doing it.

" Smarter than the average bear Boo Boo " . 

[RP#62]

Also check that the system voltage with the bike running is above battery voltage. A screwy tach is one of the signs of an alternator on its way out.
-RP