when should the tachometer read
 

CIS is now installed and (appears to) function correctly. Now, moving on to the no spark issue:I'm working through the trouble-shooting guides from the archives (thank you early S) but have a simple question: shouldn't the tachometer indicate something when cranking--if not doesn't this point to bad condenser or rotor/cap connection early on before dismantling the CDI?

There is no condenser in a CDI system! And cap/rotor issues have nothing to do with tach or points, which is where the tach gets its' trigger signal! Most tachs don't register below 600 rpm, and you may not be cranking that fast!

Check your points with a test lamp or multimeter to be sure they are opening and closing while cranking.

If engine hasn't run for quite a while, I suggest removing CDI unit and coil for bench testing, as detailed in the following thread:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/155489-72-911-t-all-sudden-no-spark.html