Speed/Tach cluster - power issue - '82 XJ750 Maxim

I will be replacing my speed/tach gauge cluster since the current one on my bike was damaged when the previous owner laid it down, but until I have the replacement, I'm having a small "issue" - actually 2 issues but they most likely are related.....

This has only happened 1 time and I have ridden the bike 3 times since this occurred..... While traveling down the road the bike started to "cough". At first I was thinking engine or bad gas since I just filled it. However, I noticed the RPM gauge would drop to ZERO each time it "coughed". I came to realize the bike was actually shutting off & on. Like I was playing with the kill switch. Since the speed/tach gaugle cluster housing unit is broken - I tapped it thinking loose wire.....welll the bike died right then.

After pulling safely off the the side of the road, I shut the bike off with the key, sat there for about 30 seconds thinking of my options, turned the key and everything came back on. I started the bike back up and drove off. I haven't had any problems since then.

Issue#2 - I actually seen this prior to the above. When I hit a bump, the warning lights on the gauge cluster will "flash" run through a self-check and reset themselfs. This has/is happening during my last 3 rides. (it doesn't help that I live on a dirt road) The bike won't shut itself off, just run through the self check phase of start-up.

So what do you think?? Loose wire? Bad connection?

As I mentioned, I will be replacing the guage cluster soon. I've bought one - just waiting for it to show up.

Thanks -yet again- for your insight!!

 

Loose wire or bad connection somewhere...........and unfortunately, difficult to diagnose. Start at the fusebox (which may in fact be the problem), and work your way forward from there...........lots of gauge harness connectors inside the headlight housing "bucket", too!

 

Given the beasts injuries prior to your ownership, I'm voting you have a loose connection somewhere. Chacal has given good advice, start chasing the wires, one at a time, from point A to point B to ensure physical integrity.
I need some parts to fix an existing 82 Max 750 cluster I have, I'd be interested in your old cluster. PM if interested.