speedometer

[dna9656]

I added a chrome front fender bumper looking thing. it's just bling but looks cool. I wired the marker lights on it to the same lg brown wire the front marker lights are connected to.

On a test ride today I heard a clink, clink; pulled over and noticed I didn't screw in the speedo cable after re-installing the wheel IAW the book. When I installed the wheel I got the torque stopper in place, tightened the axle nut to 34 (32) ft lbs. and turned the castellated nut tight till the cotter key hole lined up with the castellated nut. Inserted the nut, tightened the pinch bolts to what ever the spec was.

Now the problem: the speedo acts as if the WD-40 I sprayed in there gummed up in the speedo cable sleeve so bad that the speedo is slow to indicate speed and is actually NOT on zero for a sec or 2 after the bike has stopped. The speedo isn't keeping pace with the speed of the bike. It's like the cable was twisting tighter (faster than the speed indicator will so there is a delay in indication. It's like it wasn't a metallic cable but a rope that had to get just so tight then unwind really fast and then the needle would move. Did I over tighten the axle lining up the cotter key hole? I don't think so. I am VERY sure I got the speedo drive in correctly, the assembly lays as it should on the hub of the wheel and the torque stopper is in place.

I'm going to the shop and pull the cable and sheath, clean them with paint thinner and re-lube with chain lube. The can says it's goof for ALL cables...I remember something about speedos needing a specific lube...Ideas?

Edited August 22, 2018 by dna9656

[Venturous Randy]

I would not use WD40 as a lubricant, especially for something like a speedometer cable. WD40 will actually wash any lubricant, such as grease or oil off the cable. Use a light grease or heavy oil.

You may also need to put some grease around the bearing in the bottom of the speedometer where the cable goes into from the outside. The bearing can be greased from the inside by taking the speedometer out, or make or buy a fitting that will screw on the speedometer where the cable housing goes and you can grease it with a grease gun.

RandyA

[dna9656]

I would not use WD40 as a lubricant, especially for something like a speedometer cable. WD40 will actually wash any lubricant, such as grease or oil off the cable. Use a light grease or heavy oil.

You may also need to put some grease around the bearing in the bottom of the speedometer where the cable goes into from the outside. The bearing can be greased from the inside by taking the speedometer out, or make or buy a fitting that will screw on the speedometer where the cable housing goes and you can grease it with a grease gun.

RandyA

 

Thanks Randy! When I had the wheel off last night I made sure there was grease in there, (the moly lithium); could I have (to line up the nut and hole for the cotter key)over tightened the axle and some how put a bind on the speedo drive? I don't think so but...the cable spins easily with my fingers, it shows on the speedo gauge needle (I play guitar... strong fingers) movement so I'm included to consider something in the speedo drive...

So what do I use to lube the speedo cable, the moly lithium? I have multi purpose grease; it's a little thicker-er than the moly.

Edited August 22, 2018 by dna9656

[Venturous Randy]

Thanks Randy! When I had the wheel off last night I made sure there was grease in there, (the moly lithium); could I have (to line up the nut and hole for the cotter key)overtightened the axel and some how put a bind on the speedo drive? I don't think so but...the cable spins easily with my fingers, it shows on the speedo gauge needle (I play guitar... strong fingers) movement so I'm inclunded to conside something in the speedo drive...

So what do I use to lube the speedo cable, the moly lithium? I have multi purpose grease; it's a little thickerer than the moly.

 

I think the lithium or moly would work ok and you don't need a lot, just a thin coating on the cable.

RandyA

[dna9656]

Yep thick is pretty binding. I remember a speedo shop in San Francisco had a speedo lube apparently JUST FOR speedo.s It was RED grease, it looked a lot like the grease the USAF uses to lube the flight control bearings etc.