Speedo or speedo cable problem

[Tigadee]

What does it mean when the speedo suddenly just goes to zero while moving.

No other problems - no engine stutter or changes - just the needle falling to zero, and then intermittently goes back up to speed, then drops to zero again.

[Lelitu]

What does it mean when the speedo suddenly just goes to zero while moving.

No other problems - no engine stutter or changes - just the needle falling to zero, and then intermittently goes back up to speed, then drops to zero again.

it's fucked somewhere?

start by checking the cable is intact, not pinched, crimped, or just plain snapped ect,
if the inner cable is fine
then have a look at the speedo pickup and gearing mechanism, is that jammed, toothless or not making proper contact?

[FJRider]

Depends ...

If it has the speedo driven by way of a cable off the front wheel, or by a sensor from inside the gearbox (or similar)

[bogan]

Assuming the odo has stopped as well, I'd undo the cable from the speed, then turn the front wheel to see if the cable turns, which lets you know whether it is speedo side or cable side.

[DrunkenMistake]

Sounds like a fucked cable,
My old 400 done the same, was a case of just replacing the cable

[FJRider]

Sometimes the square drive at either end of the cable gets worn.

Or the (female) drive at the wheel is worn/slipping.

Or the (female) drive receptical in the speedo is worn/slipping.

If it is intermitant ... most likely either or both. (Check cable is intact first)

You can check if its the speedo by putting the lower end of the cable drive in a drill ...

[nzspokes]

I had the same last week. Cable had broke but sometimes it would work. New cable and all sweet now. Lucky honda only has a couple of different cables for all there bikes.

Next job is sorting out the seventh gear selector issue and it will be mint.

[Tigadee]

The thing is it's only doing this after the bike mech worked on it today. Possible he may have knocked something loose?

Thanks for the helpful pointers, BTW.

[FJRider]

The thing is it's only doing this after the bike mech worked on it today. Possible he may have knocked something loose?

Thanks for the helpful pointers, BTW.

Just check first if the cable is fitted tight at BOTH ends ... it may well be just loose.

[Tigadee]

This morning: Now the speedo doesn't work totally at all.

Thanks FJR, will do...

[nzspokes]

Buy a new bike....

[MSTRS]

Perhaps you can tell us if it's cable or electronic?
Is there a big cable off the back of the speedo housing, that goes to the left side of the front wheel hub? Or not.

[Tigadee]

Perhaps you can tell us if it's cable or electronic?
Is there a big cable off the back of the speedo housing, that goes to the left side of the front wheel hub? Or not.

Cable... Yes, there is and it was totally out.

All good now, thanks all! :woohoo:


Buy a new bike....

:p :p Like you?

[Tigadee]

:facepalm: Happened again this afternoon... I think the cable won't stay in even though I screwed it back in securely.

Some duct tape, maybe? :confused:

[ducatilover]

Have you tried moving the cable by spinning the front wheel? Or undoing it at the speedo and wheeling the bike, I'd try turn it by hand though, if it's fucked at the wheel end it'll turn (or snap :bleh:)

Otherwise your needle has turned limp. My money is on cable.


May we ask what the mechanic did?

[Henk]

My guess is that the cable is shot. One end, probably the bottom will have a collar on it to stop the inner floating in the outr. My guess is that if you grab he other end you will be able to pull half the inner out. The reason they go intermittent for a while is that the ends can bind and the whole thing still sort of work after it has broken, the mechanic working on the bike earlier may have manipulated the cable during the work to bring an already existing problem out of the woodwork but I wouldn't be pointing the finger at them, just bad timing, it was likely either shot already or only likely to last another couple of months at best.

[MSTRS]

Cable... Yes, there is and it was totally out.



... I think the cable won't stay in even though I screwed it back in securely.


There is confusion (at least on my part) in what you are saying.

Your bike uses a mechanical cable to operate the speedo. That assembly consists of an inner cable that rotates when the wheel is turned, and an outer sleeve that is secured to the front wheel hub by either a threaded collar or a retaining bolt, and at the back of the speedo prolly using a threaded collar. Yes?
Is the collar coming undone, and the cable (outer sleeve and inner cable) is detaching from the back of the speedo?
Or if you undo it from the speedo and then turn the front wheel, the cable inner doesn't rotate inside the outer sleeve?

[FJRider]

:facepalm: Happened again this afternoon... I think the cable won't stay in even though I screwed it back in securely.

Some duct tape, maybe? :confused:

Find some Loc-tite ... put it on the threads at both ends. (not much is needed)

[Tigadee]

Thanks FJR. The mechanic changed the front forks oil to 15wt as the suspension felt soft, so it's possible that something he did may have jarred the cable loose.

I'll re-attached it and hopefully screwed it back in tighter, so hope this is the last of it... If it comes loose again, I'll do the test you mentioned.

[Tigadee]

Your bike uses a mechanical cable to operate the speedo. That assembly consists of an inner cable that rotates when the wheel is turned, and an outer sleeve that is secured to the front wheel hub by either a threaded collar or a retaining bolt, and at the back of the speedo prolly using a threaded collar. Yes?

Yes.


Is the collar coming undone, and the cable (outer sleeve and inner cable) is detaching from the back of the speedo?

Yes.


Or if you undo it from the speedo and then turn the front wheel, the cable inner doesn't rotate inside the outer sleeve?

Uhhhh, haven't checked or noticed that. But after re-attaching and moving again, the speedo works... :confused:

[Tigadee]

the mechanic working on the bike earlier may have manipulated the cable during the work to bring an already existing problem out of the woodwork but I wouldn't be pointing the finger at them, just bad timing

Indeed. He is a good mechanic and has a high rep, so it is probably as you say. And it is a 20 year old bike, after all...

[MSTRS]

So the threaded collar holding the cable/sleeve to the back of the speedo keeps undoing?

Refit, maybe using a little Loktite on the thread, do it up as tight as you can by hand, and then GENTLY apply a little extra (quarter/half a turn?) using shifting pliers.

[Tigadee]

:yes: Done. Thanks, let's see if it holds...