Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Triumph bulletin board Tach Gear Stuck

1970 T120R My tach stopped working. Discovered that the gears were pretty stiff and/or frozen with a lot of brown sludge in the cavity of the tach gearbox. I've removed the gear element that the cable inserts into. However, I cannot get the horizontal gear to come out. It will spin in place and move in/out about 1/16". I've tried prying it and that's not working either. Any suggestions?

Check your shop manual.

Unfortunately, the shop manual doesn't anticipate that the gear would be stuck. I was able to get it out with a lot of effort and tools I shouldn't have been using.

With the outer plug out of the way, kick the engine over. The gear should spiral out.

Hi Mike, Sometimes they can be stubborn. Generally though with tach cable off, reach in the drive through tach cable area & turn that gear clockwise with a flat screw driver. Almost always that will push the horizontal gear out enough to grab it with some pliers.

Also, if it's still stubborn, take some needle nose pliers or the like & get between the teeth & gently "zig zag" the gear as you turn screwdriver. This can help free the horizontal gear from the cam slot if it's stuck there. You may have to kick eng to get a new position of shaft in cam slot also. Some times the slot will grab at one place, but release at another.

On a side note are you going to clubman's show at Santa Clara Fairgrounds next Sat.? I'll be there with my blue/white 73 Tiger. Stop by & say hello if you make it.
Don

Thanks TR7RVMan for the details. I ended up prying it out. I believe the area around where the tip got sheared off swelled (possible from heat buildup). That really locked it in there. But, it's out now. But, another weekend of not getting the bike on the road.... I will be at the show next weekend and look you up. Thanks again.