83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

For discussion for any of the above bikes.
Bluesman
Club Member
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:14 pm
Location: North Wales
Been thanked: 4 times

83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by Bluesman » Mon Jul 21, 2025 1:48 pm

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

User avatar
Kryten
Club Member
Posts: 1750
Joined: Sun Dec 26, 2010 11:13 pm
Location: North Norfolk
Has thanked: 112 times
Been thanked: 242 times

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by Kryten » Mon Jul 21, 2025 6:36 pm

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 :lol: :lol:

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
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!

User avatar
fossie
Club Member
Posts: 5078
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:16 pm
Has thanked: 167 times
Been thanked: 694 times

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by fossie » Mon Jul 21, 2025 8:33 pm

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.
CLUB Chairman


My Gallery

User avatar
Uncle Bob
Site Admin
Posts: 1789
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:05 pm
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Has thanked: 618 times
Been thanked: 232 times
Contact:

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by Uncle Bob » Mon Jul 21, 2025 9:15 pm

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!

User avatar
Pedda
Club Member
Posts: 1506
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Stadtlohn, Germany
Has thanked: 52 times
Been thanked: 195 times

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by Pedda » Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:39 pm

Excuse my ignorance as a non native english speaker: are we talking revs or speedo needle in tne first post?

User avatar
Pedda
Club Member
Posts: 1506
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:21 am
Location: Stadtlohn, Germany
Has thanked: 52 times
Been thanked: 195 times

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by Pedda » Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:39 pm

Tacho is speedo in german.

User avatar
fossie
Club Member
Posts: 5078
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:16 pm
Has thanked: 167 times
Been thanked: 694 times

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by fossie » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:29 pm

Rev counter .. Drehzahlmesser. ;)
CLUB Chairman


My Gallery

Bluesman
Club Member
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:14 pm
Location: North Wales
Been thanked: 4 times

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by Bluesman » Wed Jul 23, 2025 10:08 am

I thought it was a rev counter if mechanical and a tachometer if electronic. :roll:
1983 Suzuki GSX 1100SD, 2000 Suzuki TL 1000R & 2007 Kawasaki GTR 1400

User avatar
fossie
Club Member
Posts: 5078
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:16 pm
Has thanked: 167 times
Been thanked: 694 times

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by fossie » Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:23 pm

Bluesman wrote:
Wed Jul 23, 2025 10:08 am
I thought it was a rev counter if mechanical and a tachometer if electronic. :roll:
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 .... :lol:
CLUB Chairman


My Gallery

Bluesman
Club Member
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:14 pm
Location: North Wales
Been thanked: 4 times

Re: 83' 1100 Katana SD - Tachometer

Post by Bluesman » Thu Jul 24, 2025 6:56 am

Fair point :lol: :lol:
1983 Suzuki GSX 1100SD, 2000 Suzuki TL 1000R & 2007 Kawasaki GTR 1400

Post Reply