Hi guys,
I had a dead battery in the bike in the carpark of the local shopping centre a few hours ago. I jumped the bike from a car (the car was not running and I had no choice) and it started. The only thing is, on the way home the needle on the tacho was erratic and bouncing all over the shop.Any ideas what could have happened or what the problem might be. I havent started it again since I got home causeI have toget a new battery!

 

Knowing that you've got a bad battery, I wouldn't worry about the bouncing needle until you replace the battery. The alternator in the bike has a tough time keeping the bike running if the battery is not in good condition. I suspect the problem will go away once you replace the battery. If it's still having a problem, then you maybe looking at a voltage rectifier/regulator. But that's later, go with a known.

 

right before my bike died the tach needle was going all over the place and then within a few seconds it died. I had a fried regulator/rectifier.

 

That tach should have nothing to do with your regulator. Its a cable so its not electrical. You're cable is probably broken internally within its sleeve and you more than likely need a new cable.

 

I think you might be thinking of other models. According the the Honda Service manual, the 1995-1998 F3's use an electronic speedometer and tachometer. Voltage fluctuations can cause irratic readings for either the speedo or tach.

 

Replace the battery. I had all kinds of problems with my bike and most everything was fixed with a new battery.

On my old Yamaha XJ600 I took the gauges out to replace the lightbulbs(Didn't know what wires where to what so didn't want to risk pulling the wrong wire) and went through the front which included taking the speedometer part out and the needle off. For a bit I had the needles jumping around but not bouncing. I finally got it to work properly. But by any chance has your gauges been taken apart before?

But first I'd replace the battery.

Go to Batteries Plus and get an "Extreme AGM Sealed battery". They probably have it in stock and it's only $55 with a core trade in(Valued at $7). Mine's been nothing but good to me even after I killed it hte first day I had it. I killed the bike with the kickstand and not the key and forgot.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, I am getting a new battery on monday so hopefully that should fix things.