Krazykarl Posted September 17, 2011 Share #1 Posted September 17, 2011 Recently my 87 speedometer has started screaming like a ban-chi past 20mph. I have greased the cable but need some other ideas. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor Posted September 17, 2011 Share #2 Posted September 17, 2011 If it is like my bike it is not the speedometer, it is the passenger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted September 17, 2011 Share #3 Posted September 17, 2011 It is the bearing in the head of the speedometer. You can try blowing lube up in there but best method is to pull it and grease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankd Posted September 17, 2011 Share #4 Posted September 17, 2011 I have used motorcycle chain lube to cure this problem. It sprays on thin, so it soaks in, and then the thinner evaporates and it gets heavier, so it stays put. On my 83 it used to scream pretty loud when it got cold out. Frank D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazykarl Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted September 17, 2011 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted September 17, 2011 Share #6 Posted September 17, 2011 Need to do this one soon. Speedometer can break if not lubed. My 84 didn't last long once it started screaming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anguish Posted October 5, 2011 Share #7 Posted October 5, 2011 I have this problem too. I know exactly where the lube needs to go but it's such a pita to get at I haven't found time, energy or inclination. Here's how I live with the problem. Mine is only afflicted in cold weather, so on cold mornings, I take the core of the speedo cable out (by extracting it at the wheel end) thus disabling the dash speedo. I then rely on the gps display for my speed. Later when the day warms up, I put the cable core back in. I've got quite adept at it and can do it by the roadside if necessary. I carry a rag to wrap the greasy core in. I'll do it right one day but for now, that's how I cope. Hope this is of interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted October 5, 2011 Share #8 Posted October 5, 2011 You need to pull it out to get the lube in the bearings. Some have been lucky with putting lube in the cable and hitting it with a little air. I said a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBJ Posted October 6, 2011 Share #9 Posted October 6, 2011 also pull the cable lifting it and fill it with oil then reattach it. run the bike and get it up into the speedo to lube the bearing. You may have to do this a couple of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a1bummer Posted October 18, 2011 Share #10 Posted October 18, 2011 If your very careful you can drill and install a grease zerk in the speedo shaft. My speedo squealed until it seized and twisted off the cable on the way home after I bought it. It didn't help that it was Jan 5th and below freezing. I got it freed up and lubed but it would still act up now and then. Then I tried the zerk. 4 years later and I haven't heard a peep out of it. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottbly Posted October 18, 2011 Share #11 Posted October 18, 2011 I disconnected the speedo cable from the wheel and duct tape it as high as I could to something higher than the speedo. Then mounted a funnel to the opening of the cable and poured motor oil into the funnel. I let it sit for a couple day. Problem gone for years. That's Army engineering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamtom Posted November 4, 2011 Share #12 Posted November 4, 2011 Mine started whining bad about the first fifty degree ride here, I think I will try Scotts thing first, then maybe go with the grease zerk if Scotts doesnt work for mine. Maybe pull the inner cable til I can get Scotts tried, since I dont want to do damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted November 4, 2011 Share #13 Posted November 4, 2011 fyiw, I was cruising EBay for used speedo cables. There were several that included the speedo front wheel hub for about $25. Price at the dealer after taxes was just shy of $25 (for cable only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIC Posted December 25, 2011 Share #14 Posted December 25, 2011 Mine just started that scream too today in the cold and at higher speeds. Thought it was the fan motor at first, then realized it was the speedo. Pulled the cable and finished the ride.. time to lube the bearings.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamtom Posted January 7, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 7, 2012 I did the army engineering fix, pulled out the inner cable, poured a bit of oil into the housing and held the housing up as high as I could get it for a half hour, and it worked fine. Its colder now than when it started, and there hasnt been a peep from it in the last few rides since I did that fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfVenture Posted January 7, 2012 Share #16 Posted January 7, 2012 Venturous has this solution Title of the Thread. Lubing the speedo on a 1st gen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd157k Posted March 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted March 21, 2012 Just a quick THANKS to all those contributing on this thread, and referenced threads. Mine was squealing in the mornings so I took the advice given here, put some lightweight oil in the cable tube and used some compressed air (somewhat low pressure) and blew it up to the speedo. Now it's quiet day/night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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