
83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
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83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
The tacho is needle is nice and steady until 5k then starts moving upwards very slowly whilst waving about a little the engine is accelerating fine. Weird fault as it's electronic isn't it. Anybody else had/has this problem? 

1983 Suzuki GSX 1100SD, 2000 Suzuki TL 1000R & 2007 Kawasaki GTR 1400
- Kryten
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Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
That’s not a problem I have heard of before, I’ll add it to all the other interesting ways that the Kat Tacho goes waffy.
I did speak to someone who advertises in the Classic Comics about doing Speedo/Tacho repairs. He just laughed and wished me luck
Mostly it was around the tacho as it was an odd way of doing it, and the components are ageing.
I am surprised that no one has come up with either a modern work around or even a full replacement in the same binnacle.
Replacing the tacho would pretty much entail rebuilding the whole ensemble.
I did speak to someone who advertises in the Classic Comics about doing Speedo/Tacho repairs. He just laughed and wished me luck


Mostly it was around the tacho as it was an odd way of doing it, and the components are ageing.
I am surprised that no one has come up with either a modern work around or even a full replacement in the same binnacle.
Replacing the tacho would pretty much entail rebuilding the whole ensemble.
Jim
750 SZ (Not So) Skruffy Kat
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750 SZ (Not So) Skruffy Kat
1000 SZ in bits
7/11 SZ Long term
T509 Back on the road!
It was a New Day yesterday but, by God, it's an Old Day now!
- fossie
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Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
Common issue on POP UP Katana's aswell.. Basically 40 year old electronics , before the modern circuit board type ..and relies on capicitors/resistors that are wearing out ... There was a post on our old site but It's gone now , though I will look through old sticks as it may be there . But if anyone can come up with suggestions now please do.
Last edited by fossie on Mon Jul 21, 2025 10:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Uncle Bob
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Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
My 400 does the same. I saw a repair post years ago which unfortunately I didn't save, but it was a resistor that was the issue ( I think it was low Ohm 5W roughly).
Someone (I think it was Callyboy) sent me the remains of a popup tacho ages ago, so I could take a look and take some measurements. My plan was to look make a new frequency to voltage converter but I didn't get very far!
Someone (I think it was Callyboy) sent me the remains of a popup tacho ages ago, so I could take a look and take some measurements. My plan was to look make a new frequency to voltage converter but I didn't get very far!
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Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
Excuse my ignorance as a non native english speaker: are we talking revs or speedo needle in tne first post?
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Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
I thought it was a rev counter if mechanical and a tachometer if electronic. 

1983 Suzuki GSX 1100SD, 2000 Suzuki TL 1000R & 2007 Kawasaki GTR 1400
- fossie
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Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
That may be so ..but most people know the needle that shows speed is a speedo and one that moves with the engine rev's is a rev counter ....

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Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer
Fair point



1983 Suzuki GSX 1100SD, 2000 Suzuki TL 1000R & 2007 Kawasaki GTR 1400