speedo cable

Jims65CA77 · Post by **Jims65CA77** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 1:11 pm

Sorry... it was so clear in my mind, I forgot to mention "which one"!!! I was meaning on how to lube the speedometer?

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 1:31 pm

It's a good idea to test the input bearing first. Put a terminal screwdriver in the square hole and quickly turn the shaft with your fingers. Does it feel stiff? Can you flick the needle a little ?

If it feels stiff you can try applying a little solvent to soften up the old lube and clear away any dirt. With it cleaned up, I apply a few drops of light machine oil or clock oil to the shaft. I don't like to use much and treat speedos like you would a clock or camera mechanism. Keep it clean and use oil sparingly.

LM sits the input bearings in a pot of oil and let's the lube wick up the shaft. Whichever works for you....

If that doesn't fix things you may have to dismantle the speedo for a full treatment. There are one or two threads here which detail the full process. I treat the innards like you would a clock or a camera which I have done quite a lot..... Clean everything thoroughly and then use a very pure oil on the bearings, and a light grease on the gears.

G

Jims65CA77 · Post by **Jims65CA77** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 5:22 pm

Thanks G-Man!! That is some really great information. I have a broken cable at the moment, and I want to get one probably through Charlies when they are back in stock. I have NOT checked anything else about the cable as to why it broke or anything like that. I found that it broke at the bottom near the speedo drive unit. But until I get a cable, I may as well make sure the head is in good condition. This was how I bought the bike... broken cable. The speedo shows only 4,779 miles on the odometer.

OldScrambler · Post by **OldScrambler** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:15 pm

That is the low-spot in the speedo-cable that gathers moisture and rusts the cable inside of the sheath. I've seen a few dozen in the same condition. Sometimes you can locate the cable alone and re-use your sheath.......after you have cleaned and lubed it.

Jims65CA77 · Post by **Jims65CA77** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:40 pm

OldScrambler wrote:That is the low-spot in the speedo-cable that gathers moisture and rusts the cable inside of the sheath. I've seen a few dozen in the same condition.

That makes sense!! I never thought about that area being a "low spot" before!!