Editor’s note: If you’re having trouble with that old Suzuki, BSA or BMW, Keith Fellenstein is your guy. From motorcycle tuning tips to detailed motorcycle engine repair, he can draw from a wealth of experience to help guide you to success. Send questions to: Keith’s Garage, Motorcycle Classics,1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609, or send an e-mail with “Keith’s Garage” as the subject.
Q: I have a 1977 Triumph Tiger. I have a recurring problem with both the tachometer and speedometer. At higher speeds (50mph-plus) that generate greater vibration, the entire gauge begins to rotate within the black rubber housing that holds the gauge. As it rotates, the lighting fixture/bulb comes loose and then falls out of the gauge. I then have to remove the gauge and rubber housing from the chrome bracket that holds them, remove the gauge from the rubber housing and then re-seat the gauge so that the opening for the bulb lines up with its matched opening on the rubber housing. You may very well have heard of this before. Any ideas how I can prevent this from happening (besides keeping my speeds under 50mph)? Thanks for your help and for your terrific columns in Motorcycle Classics. — Ron/via email
A: In addition to the vibration, you have the torque reaction of the instrument against the rotation of the cable, too. A number of fixes come to mind, but probably the easiest one would be some double-sided tape or foam installed between each of the instruments and the cup. It wouldn’t require much to hold it still against the vibration.