Speedometer error

[ninjajim]

Fishing for answers here. I have an '81 LH. The speedometer reads incorrectly, but the odometer reads accurately. Speed will show about 40 mph when I am actually doing 60, the error gets worse as the speed gets higher (much lower indicated than actual). The odometer however, reads accurately. One mile is one mile, no matter what speed. New cable installed. Lubed everthing I could get to.
Any ideas??? Only just over 11,000 miles on the bike.
Thanks

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome aboard, Jim! JAT, did you take the speedo apart and clean/lube the inner workings?

[crazy steve]

The speedometer needle pivot bearings needs to be cleaned and lubed, or there may be some insect debris... but unfortunately, you have to disassemble the speedo to get to them, and these are 'sealed' units.

Some owners have managed to very carefully pry off the bezel and get these apart, but it's rare that even if you do get it off, getting it back together without looking 'repaired' afterward is. There are professionals that repair these, but don't expect a low cost; $150 and up is pretty standard pricing. You can get new units from Mikes XS, but these won't match your existing gauges. Your best option will probably be finding another used speedo; member Andrea Wiess may be able to fix you up, or there's always EBay...

Owning a LH model may make this hard to find a 'exact' match, so good luck...

'78E original owner

[ManitoulinLad]

Hey Ninjajim: I have an LH too & got a new used tach for it from Andreas on this site. They are the same as any other special for the speedo or tach. I had an xs650 that did the same, I just knew the difference by using another bike beside me & then keep that info in my head when I drove. - Dan

[ninjajim]

I've tried most of the solutions suggested, thanks guys. I may need to buy a replacement if I "need" the accuarcy. A mention of disecting the speedo and cleaning, but the obvious repaired look. Is it possible to drill a small hole in the side of the casing and lube it that way? Just wondering where to access the speedo needle. I would imagine some silicone shot through a tiny hole would get the job done. Thoughts on that?

[Montreux_Blue]

Oil right between the moving part and screw on part using 3 in 1 oil with the connection level and one drop at a time on one side. Watch the oil go down before adding another drop because if you put too much on it will sit on that lip and not go in. Let it sit a couple days upside down and then put it back on and ride it right after. I did this and it stopped my gauge from bouncing for about a year.