The end of the speedo cable.

[manshack_one]

Forgive me and keep in mind this is the first bike I've ever owned and/or worked on.

The end of the speedo cable that clamps to the speedo gear at the wheel, is it supposed to be square or tapered off?

[manshack_one]

Looking around the net it appears it should be square on both ends. Mine has a fine taper to it. How would that happen? I have no idea how many miles are on my original bike since the motor was swapped out but I think the Odometer is at 23K. Doesn't seem like enough to grind down the cable.

[manshack_one]

I seem to be answering my own questions a lot lately.

Too much time on my hands at work I suppose.

[DiverRay]

No, we just let you go, and see if we can help, or if you will really listen to yourself!
Too much time on my hands reminds me of a rock and roll song.....

[manshack_one]

I'm just bored at work

Now that song is stuck in my head, thank you.

My options are
BikeBandit - 22.62 OEM or 12.55 motion pro
Dennis Kirk - 16.95 Parts Unlimited
JC Whitney - 15.99 no brand part #ZX354241
OldBikeBarn - 21.06 no brand part # 206160
Z1 - 13.30 - MP05-0080

also waiting for andreas to pm me back. I could double up my z1 order and get that petcock repair kit I always wanted.

[jeffe]

" I've got dozens of friends, and the fun never ends. That is as long as I'm buying."

[manshack_one]

Now I'm hearing the end is supposed to be round. But other places square. Not sure what to do with this one. Need to order whatever I need so I can have it here before the weekend.

[John]

Square on both ends, with a small collar on the upper end, to prevent the cable from falling out should it come off the speedo drive.

[Hammerhead1st]

Mine's squared with a taper on the wheel end. I have a standard.

[manshack_one]

So on the specials it's square and the standards are tapered?

[AlanB]

Hi Manshack,

They have to be square to transmit the drive to the speedo...... ALL speedo drives have squared ends.

If you look down into the housing, you should see the square recess it fits into.

I would guess that your speedo head is hard to turn, and the cable has worn to a point trying to turn it. If you place a matchstick (or similar!) into the back of the speedo, where the cable goes, it should spin real easy. If not, try a drop of light lube on the brass bush you see in there.

DON'T use WD/40, and don't put in so much that it runs down into the works; dust will then stick to the oil, and you will gum it up..... just enough to lube the bush.

AlanB

[manshack_one]

Thanks Alan. Insightful and enlightening as always. I wasn't so worried about the speedo as I was bummed about it not keeping up with my mileage. I reset the trip part when I first started riding it and am running about 100 miles behind. Time to order a new one.

[TADracer]

Originally posted by manshack_one
I wasn't so worried about the speedo as I was bummed about it not keeping up with my mileage. I reset the trip part when I first started riding it and am running about 100 miles behind. Time to order a new one.

Lube your new cable before installing, of course. But while it is all off go one step further. Turn your speedo over and put a drop or two of light oil (like 3 in 1 oil) onto the receiver where the cable goes into the speedo. This is a bushing and it can dry out and make your speedo put drag on the cable causing it to round off on one end or break all together (usually at the wheel end). You can use your old cable to insert into the end of a drill motor and check out the operation of your speedo before you install it all back.

[DJinNH]

Originally posted by manshack_one
I seem to be answering my own questions a lot lately.

Too much time on my hands at work I suppose.

At least you'll always have someone to talk to.

Don

[DJinNH]

Originally posted by TADracer


Lube your new cable before installing, of course. But while it is all off go one step further. Turn your speedo over and put a drop or two of light oil (like 3 in 1 oil) onto the receiver where the cable goes into the speedo. This is a bushing and it can dry out and make your speedo put drag on the cable causing it to round off on one end or break all together (usually at the wheel end). You can use your old cable to insert into the end of a drill motor and check out the operation of your speedo before you install it all back.

Man, this is sounding way too much like the colonoscopy I had years ago. I shouldn't have read this.

Don