Author Topic: speedometer  (Read 1346 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

sjbiat

  • Bulleteer
  • ***
  • Posts: 149
  • Karma: 0
on: October 03, 2021, 08:18:19 pm
Hi.  I seldom check in because generally nothing ever goes wrong.  Plus until recently I didn't have a garage so I couldn't do much myself anyway.  But now my speedometer flutters a lot and spends a lot of time pinned at the high end.  Is that a sign of a faulty speedometer or a faulty cable?

Thanks,

Stephan
stephan
09 C5 with Cozy sidecar now
formerly
97 Motoguzzi
94/02 Ural
85 BMW R80
64 BMW R60/Hollandia/Steib
61 BMW R69/Watsonian
60 Pugeot


johno

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 540
  • Karma: 0
  • 2012 B5 on the original Portland Dorset UK
Reply #1 on: October 03, 2021, 08:29:53 pm
If its been left standing a while it is more than likely the cable sticking in the outer sleeve, you could disconnect it and run a small amount of lube down from the top with the bottom end disconnected, shop cloth on the floor.  turn it  few times with you fingers as the lube works is way down. But, be aware if you use to much it can work its way back up into the speedometer when turning at normal speed.
2012 B5 Bullet
 K&N, sport muffler, 18tooth fr sprocket, Avon style fairing, 1958 pattern British army haversacks. Mitas tyres DiD chain. Carberry plate.


Mad4Bullets

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 308
  • Karma: 0
  • 2014 Classic 500
Reply #2 on: October 03, 2021, 09:19:33 pm
You might also consider going one step further and remove the inner cable from the sleeve and lubricate the cable instead. Whichever you like.


Ove

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 497
  • Karma: 0
Reply #3 on: October 03, 2021, 11:39:38 pm
It might be lack of lube. But, doesn't that usually cause wavering around the reading, rather than a constantly high reading?

I was told and since have always used grease on speedo / tacho cables and oil on clutch and throttle cables. I've never had to replace one, so it seems to work fine. There's a lot of rotation going on in the cable and oil gets spun down and out. It needs very little grease, not caked on. I was also told not to grease the last 4 to 6 inches below the speedo. Don't recall why. Maybe to avoid dirt making a grinding paste. I remove the cable from its sheath and clean the cable first, probably do this about every 2 years. It's easy, so a good first check, before suspecting anything worse. Also, at least you'll get to see if there's anything visually suspect with the cable.


Richard230

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 6,021
  • Karma: 0
Reply #4 on: October 04, 2021, 01:54:39 am
I have been using MoS2 grease to lube all of my speedometer cables for years and have never had a problem. The cable stays lubed for many thousands of miles. Of course, speedo cables are going the way of air-cooled engines and carburetors so it is only a matter of time before you won't need to oil cables anymore.  :(
2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM Duke 390, 2002 Yamaha FZ1


sjbiat

  • Bulleteer
  • ***
  • Posts: 149
  • Karma: 0
Reply #5 on: October 06, 2021, 07:16:37 pm
Thanks.  I greased cable, but needle still fluctuates wildly.  I notice now that the odometer works.  So it must be the speedometer.

-Stephan
stephan
09 C5 with Cozy sidecar now
formerly
97 Motoguzzi
94/02 Ural
85 BMW R80
64 BMW R60/Hollandia/Steib
61 BMW R69/Watsonian
60 Pugeot


upintheair

  • Scooter
  • **
  • Posts: 54
  • Karma: 0
Reply #6 on: October 25, 2021, 07:31:35 pm
Another speedometer fix is to get a replacement unit from Koso.  I enjoy having a tach as well as the speedo, and the model I installed included a clock, voltage read out, and trip meter.  The only thing I had to watch was the calibration change when I went from the stock tire to a K70, due to the circumference difference.
Historical: 1952 Cushman, 1958 Vespa 125, Honda 2x 1963 C110, 1968? CL77, 1975 TL125, Yamaha 1963 YDS2, 1975 XS650, 1968 Kawasaki 175, 1965 Hodaka Ace 100, 1960 BSA A65, 2006 Jonway 250, 1975 Bultaco 250 Alpina,
Current:  2015 Green RE B5 with K70's, DID 530 chain, Koso TNT,


Ove

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 497
  • Karma: 0
Reply #7 on: October 26, 2021, 10:02:16 am
Thanks.  I greased cable, but needle still fluctuates wildly.  I notice now that the odometer works.  So it must be the speedometer.

-Stephan
Did you check the cable spins smoothly after you greased it?

It could be the drive unit on the front wheel. One way to check is pull the cable out of the drive unit, put the spigot into an electric drill and run the drill to see if the speedo runs smoothly. I do not know if the drive is clockwise or anti clockwise, so check that first and set your drill accordingly! Spin it at lowest speed first, to avoid overwhelming the speedo. If that reads fine, you know it's the drive unit.


sjbiat

  • Bulleteer
  • ***
  • Posts: 149
  • Karma: 0
Reply #8 on: October 26, 2021, 02:56:03 pm
A new speedometer from Hitchcocks did the trick. :)
Some time ago I noticed moisture under the speedometer glass.  I suspect that eventually affected the coil mechanism that I assume drives the speedometer.
stephan
09 C5 with Cozy sidecar now
formerly
97 Motoguzzi
94/02 Ural
85 BMW R80
64 BMW R60/Hollandia/Steib
61 BMW R69/Watsonian
60 Pugeot


Othen

  • Bulleteer
  • ***
  • Posts: 128
  • Karma: 0
Reply #9 on: November 05, 2021, 02:00:01 pm
A new speedometer from Hitchcocks did the trick. :)
Some time ago I noticed moisture under the speedometer glass.  I suspect that eventually affected the coil mechanism that I assume drives the speedometer.

Did you fit the new speedometer yourself? If so was that an easy job?
Alan