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Tach Gear Housing Oil Seal replacement w/pics

Discussion in 'XJ DIY How-To Instructions' started by bigfitz52, Jul 12, 2009.

  1. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    -The cable itself needs to be cleaned and lubed. Possibly replaced.

    -The instrument itself may need attention.

    Since you have a 550 Seca, here's the instrument cluster removal and teardown procedure: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14948.html

    Here's what you'll find in there, and how to lube the instruments: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15303.html

    And completely off this topic but since you have a 550 Seca, check this: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=31872.html

    More 550 Seca tips: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=36235.html

    Check out the "XJ FAQ Suggestions" forum. You'll find valve adjustment, rear wheel bearing, clutch, and Mikuni carb photo "how-tos" mostly all performed on one of my 550 Secas.

    AS WAS THIS, be sure to check it right away: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html
     
  2. seca550RK

    seca550RK Member

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    Thanks so much for the reply. I'm new to riding as well as to this bike, so I'm trying to give it a good check over and make sure its working as it should. I don't really know whats normal for these things so this forum is a great help. I'll make my way through the posts as it seems like a lot of the same problems come up
     
  3. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Welcome aboard. What's "normal" is that the people that owned the bike before you likely didn't keep up on the required maintenance; plus things like 30-year old brakes simply have to go.

    Start your own thread in "XJ Chat" when you have any more questions that arise, and we'll be sure you get some assistance.
     
  4. cg82

    cg82 Member

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    just used this thread to help replace my seals. Thanks a ton for the info guys!
     
  5. Alain

    Alain Member

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    Thanks for this. I nearly bought a whole new tachometer cable but ran into this article.

    Digging out the original seal #4 was a bitch though. I'm not sure if I actually got the oil seal out... because I dug the seal out to pieces... kinda like breaking your wisdom tooth and extracting it bit by bit.
     
  6. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    COME BAAAACK FITZ!!!!
     
  7. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

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    Just replaced my seals.

    Getting the old seal out and cleaning the residue from the housing is the hardest part. That 32 year old seal was essentially 'glued' in place.
     
  8. DenCon509

    DenCon509 Member

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    I, too, wish to do away with the mech tach (speedo, too); I'm looking for some kind of blanking plug/cap. I see no point in repairing something that I want to delete.
    I want to change instruments to electronic, with the hope of using the stock housings and inserting appropriate bits to retain as much of the stock appearance as possible.
    Is there a kit "how-to" for this?
     
  9. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Start a conversation with Chacal. He sells a blanking plug for the tach drive and includes instructions.
     
  10. DenCon509

    DenCon509 Member

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    Anybody have luck with converting to an electronic tach?
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2015
  11. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Yamaha did. You wont have the advantage of not machining the casting for a tach cable though, since your's is already done. Chacal sells a blanking plug for the tacho drive hole. After that all you need is a tach and the ability to find the grey coil wire.
     
  12. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Achievement Unlocked
     
  13. Rogan butler

    Rogan butler New Member

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    For some reason i cant see the pics?? Im having this issue and just got my seals but have no clue what im doing.
     
  14. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    3rd party sites no longer allow free image storage, and BigFitz has been away since 2014. Therefore, images are dropping out of old threads. It sucks.
     
  15. Rogan butler

    Rogan butler New Member

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    Im wondering how you disconnect the tach drive cable from thr tach drive itself.
     
  16. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    It unscrews. Lefty loosey.
     
  17. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    Never understood that mnemonic aid. With rotational movement, one side is always going left, clockwise or counterclockwise. If a screw is turned clockwise (tightey), the 6 o'clock part is going left...
    Matti needs a how-to on tightening screws. Look for "How to screw", it'll be in the Hangout Lounge.
     
    alFrumpus likes this.
  18. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    needed because of digital watches and clocks
     
  19. DaygloDavid

    DaygloDavid Active Member

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    Thanks to bigfitz52 for posting this thread with photos etc., very helpful. After 42 years and 57K miles, have had to replace #4 oil seal as it was leaking quite badly.

    Had previously ordered both #2 o-ring and #4 oil seal but not used the latter. In the UK, great next day service from Fowlers when ordering another #2 o-ring.
     

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