 second speedometer cable
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202 |
I'm about to replace my speedometer cable for the second time in 24,000 miles....I was always told not to use any kind of grease on a speedometer cable to avoid it "screwing" into the meter, but there must be something to use that will make a $30 cable last more than 12,000 miles....any suggestions?
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Are you sure there isnt something else going on to mess up your cable?
Soren
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Adjunct
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OP
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Posts: 202 |
it's clearly lack of lubrication....the cable is pretty badly discolored from heat around the area of the break....seems to have been spinning dry for a while....
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
....the cable is pretty badly discolored from heat around the area of the break....
I use two speedo cables in parallel so each one only spins half as fast and they don't wear out as quickly.
Seriously though, there must be something making the cable bind at that point. Where exactly is the break? Is there a sharp bend? It couldn't be touching your exhaust header could it?
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
The end also could be heat discolored from when it broke from the broken ends rubbing together. You shouldn't need to lube it. Bill has the right idea in my opinion,sharp bend or kink ay the failure point or hitting your exhaust, mine used to do that when the forks compressed so I put a small black zip tie about 1/3 of the way down connecting it to the break line. It doesn't hit the header anymore.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
First off, is the cable guide loop on the fender in good condition? If not, the cable will come into contact with the exhaust pipe and the lubricants will cook out. Here is a great replacement... http://www.newspeedmaster.com/html/speedo_cable_loop.htmlOtherwise, run finger and thumb down the outer cable in the area of the break to make sure that there isn't a kink hidden by the rubber cover. A bit of graphite lock lub will help if there are no kinks and such. Also, make sire the inner cable is fully seated in the speedometer and the drive unit at the wheel. If not, it will effectively be too long to fit in the outer cable.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
My cable loop was in good condition and it still made contact with the header when forks compressed.Also make sure you route it correctly or being in the wrong path could actually cause the problem.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Adjunct
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OP
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Posts: 202 |
there is no sharp bend and it is a very long way from the exhaust pipe.....the cable housing looks perfect....it's the inner cable that shows sign of friction....
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
I know but if the outside was to get too hot it would effect the inside. The distance to the exhaust gets less when you compress the forks like when you hit a bump or hit the bottom of a sharp dip. Mine was a good distance from the exhaust too until I hit a bump then it was hitting my header, not saying yours is but it's something to look for.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: second speedometer cable
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
you would think there had to be something going on external to the cable. one could be just a dud but not two. In the end though, you know you have to replace it now, nobody would tell you to lube a new cable, so maybe all you can do is make sure the routing is correct and, as greybeard said: Quote:
Also, make sire the inner cable is fully seated in the speedometer and the drive unit at the wheel. If not, it will effectively be too long to fit in the outer cable.
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