Mechanical Rev Counter/Tacho ID

elj221c · Post by **elj221c** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 12:33 pm

I have in my possession a mechanical rev counter by Smiths. I have been unable to identify it and wondered if anyone could help. I was under the impression that it was an early Sprite one.
It is 5" over the bezel. It registers to 8000rpm and has a ratio of 4:1
The number on the dial which I assume is the item code is RN1412/01
Any ideas?

Oneball · Post by **Oneball** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 12:50 pm

Got any photos?

The Frogeye one doesn’t go to 8k and has a silver centre, don’t think the Spridget ones go to 8k either.

I’d guess it was an aftermarket one 8k is somegoing for a British car in the 50s/60s

mk1 · Post by **mk1** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 4:12 pm

A photo would be a big help. There were literally 100's of different ones of this type of counter made.

5" is large, so probably not a bike, I'll have a check & see if I can find that SN number in any of my paperwork.

elj221c · Post by **elj221c** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 6:25 pm

Thanks for the interest. Photo as requested.

Tacho.JPG

Roy

Oneball · Post by **Oneball** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:09 pm

I didn’t clock the 5” bit. That’s pretty big. It looks 50s. That sort of size you’d think it was centre mount like a XK or Bentley. But there’s nothing I can think of that revs that high. My first thought is still probably aftermarket sorry can’t really help.

mk1 · Post by **mk1** » Tue Feb 11, 2020 8:40 am

Also sorry, I can't find it listed, but I don't have exhaustive records by any means.

surfblue63 · Post by **surfblue63** » Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:55 am

5" is the regular size for a motorcycle tacho. Most British bikes used the more expensive chronometric versions that had an RC prefix. I did not find any reference for the number on your tacho, but would guess from that number it is an early 1960s after market one for motorcycle fitment.

Oneball · Post by **Oneball** » Tue Feb 11, 2020 3:22 pm

surfblue63 wrote:5" is the regular size for a motorcycle tacho. Most British bikes used the more expensive chronometric versions that had an RC prefix. I did not find any reference for the number on your tacho, but would guess from that number it is an early 1960s after market one for motorcycle fitment.

Cant think of any bikes with a 5” tacho, there’s a few with 5” speedos.

elj221c · Post by **elj221c** » Wed Feb 12, 2020 9:55 am

Well, thanks for your replies and research. 'Tis a puzzle.
I was hoping to find a new home for it.
Not sure what kind of value it has if it is not an item that was commonly used.

Roy

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Mechanical Rev Counter/Tacho ID

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