Speedo Cable

[Floyd]

I've read the forums and lubed my Speedo but I have broke 2 speedo cables in 200K. I have a 79 Special with the round speedo. I've sprayed Silicone lube up inside the speedo. It turns freely by hand. They both broke at 100K.
Any idea's? Cheers

[Floyd]

Cable

The hub is clean. Both cables broke at the wheel. I've actually broke 3 cables, counting the first one. Cheers

[DiverRay]

Keep the speedo lubed about every 50K, and use graphite lube on the cable at the same time. That should help. Also, check that the cable isn't bent at a sharp angle, and that it doesn't stretch too much when the forks are all the way out.

[Floyd]

Speed

My bike has 28,000 Kilometers on it. I'm wondering if the speedo is binding after it heats up. My last 2 cables only got 100K each before they broke. The Motion Pro cable is a little longer than the stock one, and it comes pre-lubed. The cable routing is pretty straight forward. Cheers

[crazy steve]

Have you got the right speedo drive and cable? The Specials and standards didn't use the same drive/cables as the standard drive has the cable coming out of the drive at a different angle that doesn't quite clear the special forks. You can tell the difference by how the cable attaches to the drive; the standard cable uses a knurled collar at both ends, the Special cable has a bracket at the drive end that bolts to the drive. You can use either drive/cable with standard forks, but have to use the Special drive with the Special forks or the interference at the forks will bind the cable.

[Floyd]

Speedo Cable

I'm using the Special with the bracket on the bottom. I have to think that the speedo is binding at the top when it gets hot, even though I sprayed it good with Silicone lube. Floyd

[DiverRay]

Try and spray a VERY LITTLE bit of de-greaser/cleaner* into the speedometer, and then lube it again. It may have a bunch of grit in the old lube that is causing the problem. No, you can't REALLY clean it without taking it apart, but that would be my next try.
* Alcohol, electronics cleaner, or something of that nature.

[Floyd]

Speedo Cable

I've almost spent $100.00 on speedo cables. I think I need to take it apart. At 28K what should I expect to see? Like I said it turns free by hand. Floyd

[MaximPhil]

Floyd,
Which end is breaking? I kinked mine during re installation and it lasted about 100k before breaking. I have used the "universal" speedo cable which is just the inside part. You have to cut to length. The last one cost $3 at Princess Auto
Phil

[Floyd]

Speedo Cable

It's breaking at the bottom. Cheers

[jetmechmarty]

I had a locked up speedometer. I broke a couple of cables before I figured it out. The cables broke at the bottom. eBay speedometer fixed it.

[Floyd]

Speedo Cable

If I change my Speedometer can I change the mileage to reflect the mileage on my bike now? I've got 28K and I'd like to keep it original. Cheers

[jetmechmarty]

If I change my Speedometer can I change the mileage to reflect the mileage on my bike now? I've got 28K and I'd like to keep it original. Cheers

Not worth tampering with it, IMHO. I didn't, but I know the total miles on the speedometers. Joel Levine can overhaul one and make it better than new. The down side is the service is $385, or so I'm told.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Floyd,
As mine broke at the bottom due o kink in the outer casing I was going to suggest you look at the casing. However as Marty's broke at the bottom from a jammed speedo, my theory is shot to hell
Phil

[DiverRay]

Floyd,
If you still have a speedometer shop someplace close, you could take it to them and have it serviced. That should only be about $100 to $150. The one we used to have in my area is long gone, but so is the shop that made drivelines... The new cars are all electronic, and there are less people that can do the real work.
I DID take a speedo apart myself, but I couldn't get it back together looking good, as I didn't have a tool for rolling the rim back over the glass neatly.
Good luck!