XBR Rev Counter not working

[guest1853]

Hi can anyone help, I've recently purchased a 1988 XBR 500 with 33,000 miles on it. It came with the rev counter not working, the seller gave me another rev counter that he had bought but not fitted. I fitted it but guess what it's not working either. There is come movement of the needle and occasionally it will swing right round into the red at even the lightest revs.

Any suggestions where to start, I would like it working. Or does anyone know anywhere in the north west I can take it to. I live in Warrington Cheshire.

Regards
John

[SteveC#222]

The usual rev counter problem with higher mileage XBR's tends  to be that they read double the engine revs - mine 'ticks over' at 2400rpm according to the rev counter!  The rev counter picks up it's pulse from the HT coil I believe so I would check connections to that and the CDI first. You may just be unlucky and have 2 knackered rev counters but it may be just a bad connection or earth. The only way to really check is to swap it into a known good bike. I'm not sure if you can do anything with the actual circuitry - I had a look but it would need the bezal prising open to get at it. Let me know if you find a solution as I have a similar problem.