Speedometer suggestions

[ACAL]

Well, with all of your help, my 1980 xs1100 special is up and running! Took her on a ride today and got some miles in, seems to be running pretty good for a rookie mechanic and old bike. One thing happened though… my speedometer broke ha. I noticed some whirring noises coming from around what seemed to be the cluster area, and my thought was that maybe it was the cable going into the back of the speedo. I’m guessing my assumption was right because shortly after, I have no more speed reading.
so, any thoughts on direct replacements? Good options that might be a simple plug or play, or very minimal modification? Wouldn’t mind updating the look anyways and getting something that reads above 80 mph haha.
thanks!

[Radioguylogs]

My SG did the same thing and I wanted to preserve the odometer reading. I paid $350 to have it fixed.

Most folks wold never be willing to spend that much on these old bkes. If you aren't too picky about the odometer accutracy, you can buy a used speedometed on ebay.

In any case, you probably wan to note the current odometer reading so you know the actual miles with your chosen solution.

[DiverRay]

The earlier round Yamaha speedometer from the 650 or 750 triple will fit. The 750 gives you a little higher top speed reading, though you will probably never get it much faster that 125 or 130 on a good track.

[LAB3]

Download a gps speedometer app for your phone and (somehow) put it on your tank in the meantime.

[Socer4m]

Howdy ACAL,,,,just for checking, maybe unscrew the speedo cable at the speedo and pull out the cable to see if either end is broken, as is common with these cables, if ok,,,slide in the top and give it a spin to see if speedo reacts,,,if no movement the speedo is gone,,,if eithter cable end is broken,,,cables are pretty cheap. Check ebay, craigslist, facebook marketplace for a replacement speedo, should be fairly cheap...........keep us informed,,,Mike in S.DIego and Pa

[cajun31]

I second what Mike just stated. Make sure the speedometer is bad. There is also a gear where the bottom of the cable screws in that could be causing problems. From your description of where you heard the noise points to up and around the speedometer. Just a quick search of Ebay shows many. Shouldn't be hard to find one and sometimes you can actually find one with close to the same mileage showing as what yours does now. Do you know the history of the bike and is what you have original to the bike? Glad to see you got the bike running.