Has Anyone installed a Tachometer on the CT?

Adam-NLV

Adam-NLV

Well-Known Member
I’m looking to find a small, accurate, affordable tachometer that can be installed on this bike. Surprisingly out of all the CT pictures I’ve seen, near stock & modified, I can’t remember ever seeing a Tachometer install. Was curious as to why, because this would be very useful information :mod: ! Especially when running different sprocket combination, and monitoring engine performance.

[FONT=&quot]*seen lots of aftermarket motorcycle tachs, but way to big , way to expensive.[/FONT]
 
HymieP

HymieP

Member
I don't have any suggestions on "cheap and/or affordable" since all the quality ones I researched are JDM Takegawa. E-mail MSZ@ honda50.com and he will hook you up.
 
fatcaaat

fatcaaat

Well-Known Member
Here are some ideas

I have a Koso RX1N on one of my CT's (well, soon anyway)
I've had a tinytach on one (but not all that accurate)
Takegawa 2" version..very accurate until it blew up
Trail Tech Vapor (still running this one and love it)

I am planning on a speedo/tach combo on another bike in the future..I will probably run an Acewell.

All of them are in excess of $100...the Vapor and Acewell being the cheapest.
 
6

69ST

Well-Known Member
There's a simple answer to your question. Of the three parameters "small, affordable & accurate", you can reasonably expect to get two of them...unless your definition of affordable is flexible. A small bike as the basic platform, presents one harsh operating environment for electronics. Throw a minimal 6v electrical system into the mix and the choices are limited. If you're looking for cheap and don't care about the aesthetics, then Vaportech & Koso are going to be your best options. Any of the better gauges, including Autometer, Dakota, et al will set you back $250, minimum. The most accurate analog tachs for a 6v motor will be cable driven Kitaco or Takegawa offerings, both well above the $250 mark.

Here's a possible option for $40.
 
Adam-NLV

Adam-NLV

Well-Known Member
racerx said:
There's a simple answer to your question. Of the three parameters "small, affordable & accurate", you can reasonably expect to get two of them...unless your definition of affordable is flexible. A small bike as the basic platform, presents one harsh operating environment for electronics. Throw a minimal 6v electrical system into the mix and the choices are limited.
Here's a possible option for $40.
Click to expand...
Thanks racerx, I guess affordable is gonna be wishfull thinking.Yep the electrical system on these bikes isn't the most refined regulated 6/12v platform. That would be a definite consideration for choosing an aftermarket tach. A built in power supply would be ideal. I'll keep searching and see what i can come up with. Starting to realize why I dont see many CT tachometers! :faint:

fatcaaat said:
I have a Koso RX1N on one of my CT's (well, soon anyway)
I've had a tinytach on one (but not all that accurate)
Takegawa 2" version..very accurate until it blew up
Trail Tech Vapor (still running this one and love it)

I am planning on a speedo/tach combo on another bike in the future..I will probably run an Acewell.

All of them are in excess of $100...the Vapor and Acewell being the cheapest.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll look into some of these as I'm definitely gonna install one.
 
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NFSGamerUSA

NFSGamerUSA

Member
Although it doesn't sound like what your looking for (and wouldn't look as period correct), you should look into a digital tachometer like the ones SenDEC makes. They're VERY small and could be attached flush to the handlebar with zip ties. No one would even notice it unless they took a close look at your bike; then again, that probably happens to everyone with a CT70 regularly. Anyway, their cheapest model is only $73, which is a lot cheaper than a big analog tach like you're talking about. They don't rely on the bike's electrical system, either, so that's not an issue.

And after writing all of this, I see racerx already mentioned these.
 
Adam-NLV

Adam-NLV

Well-Known Member
Sure, I'll buy it. maybe it can be fixed? :noidea:
after seeing all their great stuff at FaddyBike, I might need to go to Honda CT rehab:bangin:
 
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kjax74k3

kjax74k3

Member
the northern one if you are looking for cheapworks well. runs on its own batt if you didnt guess (watch batt.) accurate enough i used one on a 2 cylinder 21hp briggs splitter for the hydro oil pump (mostly to protect it not to engage lol, homeade stuff rockS!)it shows rpms in the digi format its amll enought to mount anywhere and not only that the hourmeter is helpfull too becuase its more reliable for oil changes than going on milage.
 
kirrbby

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
I sought out and bought the $40 (50) Northern tool tach. It is easy to install and works fairly well. Kinda jumps around a bit and is a little slow to respond. But it does the job, for the most part. Has a wire that wraps around the plug wire to sense RPM's, and a frame ground wire. Done.
aimages.tapatalk_cdn.com_15_09_02_f0be2957a7c566aa60d05b2574f816f5.jpg
aimages.tapatalk_cdn.com_15_09_02_ce77ed9eda50638e96160ed6b07fb5b1.jpg


Then I seen one on eBay for about $15 shipped from China. Looked identical from the front. Bought it. It does not have the frame ground. It also says it has a replaceable battery, where Northern's does not. I only ran the $15 one for a couple hours, but it seems to work almost exactly the same.
aimages.tapatalk_cdn.com_15_09_02_f3c546dd30924edf5ca9aa6b487be4d1.jpg
 
B

b52bombardier1

Well-Known Member
I have one of those on a bike here. For the price and ease of installation, it is pretty good. It seems to only sample the RPM maybe every 4-5 seconds so if the RPM is changing rapidly, it will not be instantaneously accurate. But all in all, its not a bad tachometer.

Rick
 
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