How to Remove a Tachometer Cable GS1100

The GS1100 was introduced in 1980 as the largest member of Suzuki's GS-series of street motorcycles. Like its forerunners, the GS1100 utilized a steel cable to transfer the engine operating speed to the tachometer mounted on the upper fork clamp, just forward of the handlebar. With regular cleaning and lubrication, the cable could last several years. However, an unlubricated cable could bind against its outer housing and snap, rendering the tachometer useless. Replacing the tachometer cable uses very few tools, allowing most GS1100 owners to complete the task in less than 10 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Cable lubricating tool
• Motorcycle-specific cable lubricant spray

Instructions

Tachometer Cable Removal

1. Unscrew the tachometer cable collar from the bottom of the tachometer, located on the left side of the upper fork clamp, using pliers inserted between the back of the headlight and the tachometer.

2. Unscrew the lower collar from the base of the tachometer cable, located at the center of the engine cylinder head cover between the frame's cradle rails.

3. Pull the tachometer cable down and away from the tachometer, then pull the cable toward the front of the motorcycle until the cable's lower end is free of the frame.

Tachometer Cable Installation

1. Place a cable lubricating tool over the upper end of the new tachometer cable, identified by the inner steel cable's smaller, square tip. Spray a stream of motorcycle-cable-specific lubricant into the outer tachometer cable until lubricant begins to drip from the opposite side of the cable. Remove the tool and wipe away excess lubricant from the outer tachometer cable.

2. Push the upper end of the tachometer cable up behind the left side of the headlight to the tachometer's threaded post. Push the inner cable's square tip into the tachometer's square drive mechanism, located in the post. Screw the upper cable collar onto the post by hand, then tighten the collar with pliers.

3. Route the opposite end of the tachometer cable between the right fork leg and the steering head, the front fork's pivot tube, then down to the tachometer drive post at the center of the engine cylinder head cover. Push the inner cable's large square tip into the speedometer drive, then screw the lower collar into place.

4. Start the motorcycle and rev the engine several times to ensure that the tachometer needle rises and falls with the engine rpm. Check that the tachometer tips are fitted completely in both the meter- and engine-side tachometer drives if the tachometer needle doesn't move or moves sluggishly.

References

• Suzuki GS1100ET Service Manual; Suzuki Motor Corp.