Speedometer Problem

[Surge 58]

Hello XS'er,

I took a long ride over the weekend and noticed my clock was getting close to turn over to 16,000 miles. After I got home I forgot about noticing if it had changed. Well, today I went for another ride and noticed I had 15,999 miles on it when I started. As I was driving I watched the speedometer and the tenths dial was moving and the mileage looked like it was going to turn over to 16,000 miles but stopped short of changing. Every thing else is working on the speedometer including the trip meter.

Is there anything that I can check or try to fix this or would I have to take it apart? I guess for some this might be a desired problem to have but for me I want everything to work on my bike.

Any help or guidance would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Steve,

Well, at least you got 16k out of it. I got an 81SH new with only 17 miles on the clock, and at ~900 it stopped!! The tripometer still worked, the speedo still worked, so I just used the trip for fuel monitoring. Rode it that way for some 9 years/estimated 50K miles. IT NEVER BUDGED! They are sealed and a bit of a PITA to try to take apart, and I don't know for sure, but I think there are nylon type gears, and one may have gotten worn down/broken... and not sure where you'd find parts to fix it!? The fun we have with 30+ y/o components!

That and my tach are one of the reasons why I went with an aftermarket combo gauge cluster vs. getting another used gauge!

T.C.

[BA80]

I've been through maybe 10 speedometers. They're old and the grease dries up in them and the nylon gears just wear out.

Get another one and before you install it shoot some lithium grease down inside it through the holes the lights go in. Be careful not to get crazy spraying though or you'll end up with grease on the INSIDE of the face.

Get one off an older bike and you can go faster than 85 MPH.

[GLoweVA]

Somewhere on here I've got a thread about speedo swaps.
I took a special speedo apart and put the guts in a standard square bucket.
Some good pics of the inside.
Ill see if i can find the thread.

[GLoweVA]

Here's the thread.
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36733

[Surge 58]

T.C., Greg & George,

I want to thank you all for chiming in and I have enough info now to review and think about which direction to go in. My first thought would be to eventually look for another (used) speedo with the 140mph and hope that it works.

I just want to say that you guys are so helpful, knowledgeable and clever when it comes to these bikes that I don't think I would have bought my 80SG without having that support.



Thank you all!
Steve

[GLoweVA]

T.C., Greg & George,

I want to thank you all for chiming in and I have enough info now to review and think about which direction to go in. My first thought would be to eventually look for another (used) speedo with the 140mph and hope that it works.

I just want to say that you guys are so helpful, knowledgeable and clever when it comes to these bikes that I don't think I would have bought my 80SG without having that support.



Thank you all!
Steve

Hey Steve, as you have already found out, we here at channel 11 like to offer up advice/wisdom etc.
Another option other than a 140mph speedo is an xs1100 (79 special) 160mph speedo. (kinda rare) Or even just an 120mph speedo.
See the thread here about swapping speedos: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36699