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Message started by luckylouie82 on 08/21/14 at 10:50:02

Title: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by luckylouie82 on 08/21/14 at 10:50:02

I have seen several posts on installation of aftermarket tachs. Mostly on cafe builds etc. The guy I bought my bike from messed with idle speed and I don't trust my ear enough to get it right. My question is: I've heard conflicting stories that It takes a particular tach to work accurately on single cylinder machines. Is this true? Or will any tach that plugs into the ignition coil work? Thanks for the help everyone.

Also, I've heard the advice, "if bike runs at 9 mph in first with no throttle then your idle is good." Well, I'm kind of a heavy hitter, 240lbs if I get the idle up to where it takes my butt 9mph the motor is racing!

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by Dave on 08/21/14 at 12:27:20

On flat ground.......it shouldn't make too much difference what you weigh.

Your'e engine should sound like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QImRxzVz3hg

Dave

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by Spamy on 08/21/14 at 12:50:28

Most of the tachs should work also. The difference being how many cylinders. But I think it comes down to how many times the coil fires per revolution. Some fire twice.

If its just to check 1 time couldnt you just use some Kragen dwell meter to read it? They can go pretty cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/151275611016?lpid=82

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by Dave on 08/21/14 at 13:54:06

Most modern 4 stroke engines don't use distributors.....so the plug sparks every revolution, even though the engine only fires every other revolution.

Modern tachs are normally programmable for the number of pulses....and you will only have trouble if you attempt to use some old tachometer that is not programmable.

However...unless you want a tach all the time....there is really no reason to install one just to set the idle speed. Set the idle so that it sounds like a sewing machine....

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by luckylouie82 on 08/21/14 at 14:27:44

Thanks everyone. I just hear horror stories about being set too low causing damage. Don't want to starve the old girl of oil. Question dave: Idle is 1100 rpm recommended, why would it sound like 500 bpm?

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by Dave on 08/21/14 at 18:18:06

342D3B332134372D313D606A580 wrote:

Because the engine only fires every other revolution.....you don't hear a bang when the engine is on the exhaust/intake revolution. So....500 beats per minute of exhaust explosions would be 1,000 rpm.

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by luckylouie82 on 08/22/14 at 06:43:18

Awesome, thanks again everyone!

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by kuri77 on 08/22/14 at 18:47:02

And if you want one that works contact Ryca the guys that make the cafe racer conversion of the Savage. Had mine on 2 years now, no problems and easy to hook up.

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by Todd James on 08/22/14 at 22:32:06

Here's a picture of the Ryca tach on my S40.
I used a piece of aluminum angle, a couple of
u-bolts, and rubber grommets.
As kuri77 said, its easy to hook up and it works well.
I have more detailed pictures of the installation
if you are interested.

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by Kris01 on 08/23/14 at 20:10:27

I'd be interested in a little more detail. I like that location.

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by Todd James on 08/23/14 at 22:27:15

I'm on the road right now.
I'll try to get the detail pics of the
installation posted Sunday night.

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by jcstokes on 08/24/14 at 06:45:42

Lucky Louie, if you get one of the cheap aftermarket tachs, consider a white face black dial one , if face/dial cover isn't a significant issue. They are the same make/price as the black face white dial and should be easier to read at night.

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by luckylouie82 on 08/25/14 at 08:18:40

Thanks all, I'll look into the Ryca and other options. Not really interested in making it a cafe, just an option I'd like. Todd if you could give some advise on install and pictures, that would be tons of help!

Title: Re: Aftermarket tachometers?
Post by Todd James on 08/25/14 at 20:19:17

I just posted the Ryca Tachometer installation details and pictures in
the Technical Documents/Reference Section.
I thought it would be better over there where others would find it.

Link:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1409022095