honda305.com Forum

[mchech]

Hey, all. I've got a '64 CA72. A few months back, I was riding and went into second. The gear slipped, causing the needle to actually go almost tach-like. The needle pegged then came back to zero. It hasn't worked since. I'm not sure whether this would be the speedo itself or maybe an inner cable issue. I've done some forum searching, but really haven't found anything like this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. mchech

[G-Man]

Hi Mtech

When you say it died - the needle no longer moves? Sounds like a coincidence or it just got affected by vibration. Have you checked the cable? Is it broken?

It sounds a little to me like the cable got a bit sticky in the outer, wound up then unwound rapidly as the force overcame the friction. Hopefully a new inner cable will fix it, but you may have damaged the hairspring in the speedo head.

See here....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63154743@N00/4162133453/in/set-72157622068179860/
and here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63154743@N00/4162958040/in/set-72157622068179860/

Regards

G

[mchech]

Hey, Gman. Thanks for the insight. What I meant was that the needle is no longer working. I've gotten another opinion that it could very well be the inner cable. I'll give that a shot first. Really appreciate your help. Thank you. mchech

[G-Man]

mchech
You're welcome. Make sure that the cable is lubed well when you install it. Also it's worth checking the input bearing of the speedo. If you push a small flat blade screwdriver in there it should feel smooth as you turn it and it should be possible to twiddle the screwdriver and make the needle move.

G

[mchech]

Thanks, G-man. Is this a WD-40 thing or do you use a specific cable lube?

[G-Man]

I would use a general purpose grease on the cable when you put in the new inner. If the input shaft to the speedo is dry (doesn't rotate easily) try a little engine oil. Don't overdo it as the temperature extremes in the US means that the oil may end up as a mist on your speedo glass. Just enough to free it up is the right amount.

G

[mchech]

Thanks, G. I'll follow your advice.

[FAST FRED]

G-MAN IS THE MAN, HAVE BEEN SCREWING WITH MY SPEEDO FOR A WEEK. MY SPEEDO WOULD READ AS HIGH AS 100MPH WHILE DRIVING DOWN MY STREET AT ABOUT 35MPH, WHILE SLOWING DOWN I COULD HEAR A GROWNING SOUND AND FEEL A VIBRATION IF I REACHED OUT AND TOUCHED THE CABLE. I WAS CONVINCED IT WAS THE CABLE AND LUBED THE SH*T OUT OF IT WITH A LIGHT AIROSAL LUBE AND LATER WITH SOME WHEEL BEARING GREASE WHICHED' DID NOT HELP. I ALSO CHANGED THE SPEEDO DRIVE ANGLE AS IT WAS POINTING ABOUT 8 O'CLOCK TO 9 O'CLOCK AND PUMPED SOME GREASE INTO THE ZERK (YES MINE HAS A ZERK INSTALLED) STILL NO CHANGE IN THE PROBLEM. AFTER READING G-MAN'S POST I REMOVED THE SPEEDO AND CHECKED THE BEARING IN THE BOTTOM OF IT WHERE THE CABLE ENTERS, IT SEEMED TO ROTATE FREELY BUT I LUBED IT WITH A LITTLE GREASE BY USING A TOOTHPICK TO PUSH THE GREASE BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER PART OF THE BEARING. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GONE. SPEEDO WAS SMOOTH AND ACCURATE UP TO 45MPH WITH NO JUMPING AROUND, CAN'T WAIT TO GET ON THE FREEWAY TO SEE HOW IT WORKS AT 65MPH.

FAST FRED

[G-Man]

Guys

Very happy if I can be of help. I spent a lot of time mending cameras and most faults are lubrication problems. The speedo used on these bikes is very simple but 40 years of hot dry weather takes its toll. If you can spot the symptoms early and get a little lube in there you can save big expensive problems later on.

Looking forward to getting my CL77 finished and out on the road. Probably less than 30 of them in the UK so should turn a few heads.

G

[mchech]

G-man, truly appreciate the help. Not that I'd ever trade, but if you see a BSA Lightning over your way, do let me know. ;)

Thanks again for all the help.

marc