speedometer needle shaking

[speedlimit85]

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

[LAB3]

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.

[speedlimit85]

wd40 in the speedo drive smoothed it out

[DiverRay]

Use a silicone lube next time! WD40 will dry out quickly, and the problem will return.

[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.

[LAB3]

wd40 in the speedo drive smoothed it out

You'll probably want to pack it with wheel bearing grease

[speedlimit85]

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?

[bikerphil]

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.

[red bandit]

The needle breaks super easy. Barely touch it and it will break. Good luck and be very very careful.

[bikerphil]

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







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

[speedlimit85]

When the needle is shaky is the odometer accurate?

[DiverRay]

Usually it is. If the "shaking" is caused by a bad cable, then probably not, as it will be missing wheel revolutions.

[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.

[bikerphil]

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...