Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Speedo Cables - NOT Maintenance Free!

Just had my bike gone over and had the speedo cable looked at because last fall when it was 35 degrees on the way home from a ride the thing started jumping.

Well turns out the last four inches by the wheel was rusted and gunked up. So these do require an annual lube and cleaning. Weigh that out against a new cable and I am pretty sure the former is by far less, than the later.

eddy

I have noticed that every time i remove my front wheel, water drips from the end of the speedo cable as it hangs there. Probably would be smart to lube it.

Good tip - thanks!

What kind of lube should be used???

I'm game. I vote synthetic 90 weight gear oil, applied liberally with a turkey baster.

I use graphite cable lube speedo, same for the clutch cable.

I like Wesson.

I know of at least one place where you can get something that works. But that would be a shameless plug for a bloody hooligan!

My speedo cable just broke. The cost for a new one from the dealer was $35.

There is a syringe type cable lubing system out there too that forces the lube down the cable. Don't know where to get them though just have seen them out there.

$35 is not nearly as bad as I would have suspected.

Now that That Tbird is coming out parts for our bikes will be going down in price so that people don't start scrapping them. People are going to flock to that new bike and forget all about the BA and SM.

if only that was true Ian i'll ring the local stealership tomorrow and let you guys know how much we poor buggers have the pay for a replacement cable

When I had the front tire changed, the speedo cable started winkin' at me out the bottom of the tube, and so for lack of anything better to do whilst I waited for the wheel to come back, I applied to the cable a coating of Mobil's own red synthetic grease, of which I still have around 70 lbs of from another life. Was it the right stuff to use? Well I dunno, but it was "there' at the time I needed it. It would flow through an air driven Lube Jockey at minus 20 F, so hopefully it's all good.

Mine broke 4 inches from the speedo head. The whole cable appeared to be well lubed except for those last few inches closest to the speedo. Rusted out. Good suggestion to lube regularly.

Owl sh1t is the slickest.

Thanks Eddy,
I will be getting one of these soon, when I build up a wish list. It is made very similar to my old YamaLube Cablejector that I bought in 1974. The rubber in mine is worn and allows a little bit of lubricant to ooze out when I use it. This little item will last forever, but you still might need two!

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What kind of lube should be used???

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Deon, I'd suggest a lightweight synthetic that is a single consistency spray, modified with low ash polymers. This should protect the pivot pin bearings at both ends of the cable housing.