How do you remove speedometer tops?

[xs11lover]

My xs850 special tac has lost both screws that hold the display down. Now it turns around and around! How can I get the top off so i can tighten those screws ?

[IanDMacDonald]

It's crimped metal edge that holds the gauge faces down. There are two ways of doing it: cut the gauge in-half and epoxy it back together (can't be seen when placed back in the gauge cluster, or you take some wire cutters, cut a snip in the edge, and use a flat blade screwdriver and pry the rim 360. No other alternatives. And yes, done this a few times on my 750's/850, and Suzzy GS bikes.

[Yahman]

A modified paint can opener works better than a screwdriver. Bend up one corner of the blade and sharpen it slightly to help it get under the metal ring of the gauge.

Larry

[donebysunday]

My xs850 special tac has lost both screws that hold the display down. Now it turns around and around! How can I get the top off so i can tighten those screws ?

I use 3 little screwdrivers of different thickness, wear a thick protective glove on the hand your holding the speedo/tac with in case you slip, blood gets real messy. This will take some time but will make for the least damage, go slooow. Use a baking tray on the work bench with a towel over it and the gauge face down, slowly work your way under and then prying up around the rim of the coined bezel little by little. It will seem like your not getting anywhere but you will find when you have the bezel about half way bent up you can slide the gauge out, you don't have the uncoin the rim completely around the entire bezel only about 2/3 . Clean the glass, don't touch the face with oily fingers or sharp tools, lock tight the screws firmly but not to tight. While apart you can carefully open the bezel up a bit more carefully with small pliers to make it easier to put all back together. A very small tac driver/hammer, gauge flat on the towel and work your way around again lightly tapping the coined edge back down. All done !

[BA80]

My xs850 special tac has lost both screws that hold the display down. Now it turns around and around! How can I get the top off so i can tighten those screws ?

If you take a large hose clamp and put around the face ring to keep from damaging it you can use a thin flat nose pair of pliers and open it up. It takes a while and it can be frustrating but that's the best way I've found.

To put it back together clamp it depth wise in a vice and get the edge started so the seal will seal then a rag on the front and a pair of channel locks to roll the ring back over.

I had the same thing happen. A dab of locktite on those 2 screws insures it won't happen again.

[donebysunday]

If you take a large hose clamp and put around the face ring to keep from damaging it you can use a thin flat nose pair of pliers and open it up. It takes a while and it can be frustrating but that's the best way I've found.

To put it back together clamp it depth wise in a vice and get the edge started so the seal will seal then a rag on the front and a pair of channel locks to roll the ring back over.

I had the same thing happen. A dab of locktite on those 2 screws insures it won't happen again.

I like the idea of the hose clamp to protect the bezel, did not think of that ! I did try the pliers but found I could not get a grip on the coined edge, that's where prying it up a bit with small screw drivers would have given a little edge to grab onto with the pliers. I'm afraid of denting the front of the bezel with the channel locks ?

[BA80]

I did try the pliers but found I could not get a grip on the coined edge,

I have a pair of long handle duck bill needle nose that worked perfectly.

I'm afraid of denting the front of the bezel with the channel locks ?

That's what the rag is for. Didn't damage it a bit.

The long and short of it is, it's no good the way it is so you really can't lose trying.

[xs11lover]

Thanks for the help!