waving speedo needle.

[bangkokbob]

Hi all.
What would cause my speedo needle to waver (a lot) past the speed I'm doing and then come back?

It appears to be getting worse in the last few weeks (800 miles).

Now at around 50 MPH. B4 at 70 MPH.

Speedo is original and overhauled recently!

Would it be in the drive line, G/box or the speedo itself?

Thanks all for any correct comments.
Rob. D.

[JR JOHNSON]

lube your speedo cable see what happens.........with respect ....JR...

[bangkokbob]

Thanks Jr. Johnson.
I did that some months ago with some good quality grease so I discounted that.
But as it has got worse and speedo is in a recond. state it does make sense.
Should I use oil now as original cable was over 50 years old and showing it's age at the time.
Thanks for help.
Rob. D.

[58flh]

BANGCOCKBOB---Check the cable ends,& while at it check the gear in the tranny.If the cable is worn or just beat-up from yrs. of use it will jump on you.Spin the cable in a drill while its hooked up to the speedo!--That will narrow it down as to weather its the tranny-gear or cable itself.---Just my opinion--Respectfuly---RICHIE

[VPH-D]

Send the speedo to John Bordas for repair now, before it breaks. 303-420-4510
VPH-D

[james]

Before you send the speedo away, check the inner cable. Clean everything
thoroughly inside cable tube. Use a light engine oil instead of grease.
Eliminate possible cable issues first.

Jim

[59Panman]

Rob,

I would guess it is the magnet in the speedo. I sent mine to John Bordas to get rebuilt. Did a nice job. However, the speedo needle would go from 65 up to 90 after on the hiway. Sent it back to John and within a week had it back. John said sometimes the magnet can cause these issues. He replaced the magnet and checked the calibration, and it appears to have fixed the problem. Mine would bounce up and down and then just stopped working before mine was rebuilt.

[bangkokbob]

OK thanks for the replies.
It would appear that the speedo is at fault with the magnets as Ozwick has stated.
The cable has been thoroughly cleaned and oiled and shows no sign of binding or slipping.
So next week I will drop it into someone that see if the magnet is hitting and check calibration.
Will post the result when checked.
Regards.
Rob. D.

[Boilermakerbiker]

This is a long story but I have had the same problem for years , although does not sound as bad as yours.It wavers between 55 and 65 and never have been able to fix it. It was worse 10 or 20 years ago but got better after the rebuild.I changed cables , changed gears, and we ran it up on a calibration rig. It stayed steady on the calibration , without wavering. The fellow that rebuilt it took it for a test ride and thought maybe it was about normal , but it is a pain for me.I used light oil and graphite powder and I never did cure it. I am waiting to hear how you make out.
GOOD LUCK
BMB

[bangkokbob]

I am waiting to hear how you make out.
BMB



I'm dropping off speedo tomorrow. So will get it test run first and then inspect magnets for problem.
May take a few days but you've been waiting awhile already.
BB

[bangkokbob]

Hi all.
I got a phone call this morning to say that my speedo was ready.

I only dropped it there yesterday.

So the result was mechanism was loose.

Spring was put in the wrong way.

And when they put it back together , calibration was out.
So 1 hours work and the guy who worked on it said who ever did it before him did a poor job!

[59Panman]

Bob,

Who did the speedo work? Sounds like they need to watch the apprentices a little closer before they close it up!

[bangkokbob]

Exact wording from repairer is-

Loose speed cup and hair spring in wrong position.