Speedometer failed. Options/Opinions?

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  • tplank
    XSive
    • Jan 2013
    • 41
    • Tinley Park, IL.

    #1

    Speedometer failed. Options/Opinions?

    So two summers back the speedometer on my '79 XS1100SF was becoming erratic and making a strange whirring sound. After diving into the forums here I got some silicone spray and lubricated inside/around the collar(not the hole) where the speedometer cable goes into. It really helped and everything had been fine until a couple weeks ago. The same whirring sound started happening again so I tried the same procedure with the silicone spray and also pulled the speedo cable to lube that. It seemed to help but last week on another ride the speedo was going crazy and now it's dead. It's so disappointing because there is only 33K miles on the bike. I wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts on a possible fix/solution.

    1.) Just live with the inop speedo?
    2.) Try to open it up to see what's broke? But even if I do get it open without causing more damage how do I get parts to fix it?
    3.)Buy a used speedo but how do I know that one isn't on its last legs?
    4.) Buy a NOS speedo? (If I can find one).

    If anyone has been in a similar situation I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
    1979 XS1100SF - AKA 500 Special
    Bike Pics: https://qq0u.app.link/Fcucd6JL6V
  • DiverRay
    Moderator
    • Nov 2004
    • 7602
    • Star, IDAHO

    #2
    A round speedo from any Yamaha with a 19" front wheel should work. This is later 650's and all the triples. Here is a link to mikesxs for a speedo that should work:https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650...r-xs1-xs2.html . Set up for a 19" front wheel and all.
    Ray Matteis
    KE6NHG
    XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
    XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

    Comment

    • Radioguylogs
      XS-XJ Guru
      • Nov 2012
      • 1934
      • Presque Isle, MI

      #3
      I had the same experience and I wanted to preserve the correct odometer reading, so I had mine repaired professionally for $350.
      Last edited by Radioguylogs; 05-21-2024, 04:16 AM.
      -Mike
      _________
      '79 XS1100SF 20k miles
      '80 XS1100SG 44k miles
      '81 XS1100H Venturer 35k miles
      '79 XS750SF 17k miles
      '85 Honda V65 Magna ~7k miles
      '84 Honda V65 Magna 48k miles (parts bike)
      '86 Yamaha VMAX 9k miles

      Previous: '68 Motoguzzi 600cc + '79 XS750SF 22k miles +'84 Honda V65

      Comment

      • DEEBS11
        XS-XJ Guru
        • Feb 2023
        • 1397
        • Connecticut

        #4
        Don't forget to lube the sender down at the wheel. You could also replace the cable. It's old.

        Comment

        • speedlimit85
          XStremely XSive
          • Jan 2017
          • 420
          • Gainesville, Fl.

          #5
          I took a round speedo apart once and fixed it for a while. It never looked right again cause the pried metal edge was tampered.
          80 G

          Comment

          • LAB3
            XSive Maximus
            • May 2022
            • 677
            • Traveling the U.S. with no permanent address

            #6
            Put a drill on the cable and see if it turns the speedo smoothly, it sounds to me like your problem is in the speedo drive down on the axle. You really need to pull that off to give it a proper lubing, you just might find a worn/broken metal tab where it engaged the wheel. Also, be sure to properly reassemble it, not hard to get that part wrong.
            1980 XS1100G

            Intelligent people discuss ideas, average people discuss events, petty people discuss other people.

            Comment

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