Motorcycle Repair: Honda Magna Tach Not Working, honda magna, tight connections

Question
I know this may not be your area, but perhaps you can still help. I have a 2002 Honda Magna and the tachometer stopped working the other day. I noticed it when riding. Needle stays at zero. I don't know what's wrong or how to fix. Any help you can provide would be most appreciated.
Thanks.
David Moran, Front Royal, Va.

Answer
David, late model electronics are not my strong point, however you can find some info at various V4 websites.

http://www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~rblander/moto_long.html

http://www.magnariders.com/

http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/about.htm

http://users.rcn.com/kochc/moto/spark/ig_repair.html

From what I have gathered, the trigger for the tachometer comes from one of the ignitor boxes, at least in the past.
Usual sources for tachometers are the coils (triggered by the ignitor boxes!). Possibilities are that the meter itself is defective or wires to it. You may have to do a little digging and taking connectors apart, checking for clean tight connections from the tachometer back to the ignitors and coils.

Bill Silver