Grinch

Yep the front rev counter is linked into the coil for the front cylinder, so if it not working you will loose the rev counter too. It could just be disconnected or a broken line, even a duff coil, so swap it with the rear and see if the problem moves. The coil for the front is on the left side on under the tank attacked to the frame, the rear coil sits under the tank but where the hynge joint is. The contact is easy to knock off, I did it myself when I reconnect the breather pipes for the air box.