speedometer needle shaking

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

    #1

    speedometer needle shaking

    Changed cable, was fixed for a thousand miles. Now started needle shaking again.

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

    #2
    Did you lube up the Speedo drive? Mine was darn near bone dry when I pulled it apart. Also, make sure the flat washer with the dogs on it between the Speedo drive and wheel is seated properly, I've run mine with it inserted upside down and it worked, until it didn't.
    1980 XS1100G

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

    Comment

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

      #3
      wd40 in the speedo drive smoothed it out
      80 G

      Comment

      • DiverRay
        Moderator
        • Nov 2004
        • 7600
        • Star, IDAHO

        #4
        Use a silicone lube next time! WD40 will dry out quickly, and the problem will return.
        Ray Matteis
        KE6NHG
        XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
        XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

        Comment

        • bikerphil
          Master of XSology
          • Jan 2008
          • 8629
          • South Flori-DUH

          #5
          Later down the road, you may find that lubing the cable and drive unit doesn't help anymore. That would be the time for surgery on the speedometer itself, in which it also would like some type of lubricant.
          2H7 (79) owned since '89
          3H3 owned since '06

          "If it ain't broke, modify it"

          Comment

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

            #6
            Originally posted by speedlimit85
            wd40 in the speedo drive smoothed it out
            You'll probably want to pack it with wheel bearing grease
            1980 XS1100G

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

            Comment

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

              #7
              Originally posted by bikerphil
              Later down the road, you may find that lubing the cable and drive unit doesn't help anymore. That would be the time for surgery on the speedometer itself, in which it also would like some type of lubricant.
              I may be ready to tackle the speedo. Where do I start?
              80 G

              Comment

              • bikerphil
                Master of XSology
                • Jan 2008
                • 8629
                • South Flori-DUH

                #8
                You would remove it from the bike. Then take the rear cover off and remove the wiring harness and set aside. Then comes the fun part, prying the crimp up on the trim ring to gain access to it's guts.

                There are units for sale on eBay, that may be an easier choice. There is a good chance of breaking the needle once it's open. The needle has to be removed/ pried off for 100% proper lubrication.
                Last edited by bikerphil; 01-30-2025, 10:43 PM.
                2H7 (79) owned since '89
                3H3 owned since '06

                "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                Comment

                • red bandit
                  XSive Maximus
                  • May 2005
                  • 950
                  • central michigan

                  #9
                  The needle breaks super easy. Barely touch it and it will break. Good luck and be very very careful.
                  79 F full cruiser, stainless brake lines, spade fuses, Accel coils, modded air box w/larger velocity stacks, 750 FD.
                  79 SF parts bike.

                  Comment

                  • bikerphil
                    Master of XSology
                    • Jan 2008
                    • 8629
                    • South Flori-DUH

                    #10
                    Here is a jig I made on the workbench to hold the speedometer housing while prying up the crimp...

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                    Once the face plate and needle are removed, then proper lubrication can be applied...

                    Click image for larger version

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                    Last edited by bikerphil; 01-31-2025, 07:46 PM.
                    2H7 (79) owned since '89
                    3H3 owned since '06

                    "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                    Comment

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

                      #11
                      When the needle is shaky is the odometer accurate?
                      80 G

                      Comment

                      • DiverRay
                        Moderator
                        • Nov 2004
                        • 7600
                        • Star, IDAHO

                        #12
                        Usually it is. If the "shaking" is caused by a bad cable, then probably not, as it will be missing wheel revolutions.
                        Ray Matteis
                        KE6NHG
                        XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
                        XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

                        Comment

                        • Radioguylogs
                          XS-XJ Guru
                          • Nov 2012
                          • 1933
                          • Presque Isle, MI

                          #13
                          Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

                          IIRC, the odometer is mechanically linked to the cable via the gears, but the coupling to the needle is magnetic?

                          Therefore, the odometer will be right, even if the speed might be erratic.
                          -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

                          • bikerphil
                            Master of XSology
                            • Jan 2008
                            • 8629
                            • South Flori-DUH

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Radioguylogs
                            Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

                            IIRC, the odometer is mechanically linked to the cable via the gears, but the coupling to the needle is magnetic?

                            Therefore, the odometer will be right, even if the speed might be erratic.
                            Yes, that's correct, both the speedometer and the odometer are separate from the needle drive, you can see it here...

                            Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_20250202_231151.jpg Views:	0 Size:	182.0 KB ID:	883123
                            Last edited by bikerphil; 02-03-2025, 12:04 PM.
                            2H7 (79) owned since '89
                            3H3 owned since '06

                            "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                            Comment

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