yearly speedometer cable

[mschack63]

Hi, first attempt I hope it works. Bought my 2000 Voyager XII three years ago. Fall of my first Minnesota riding season speedometer cable broke. Replaced it beginning of second riding season and it broke late in riding season last year. Have not replaced it yet this year but I will. My question... Am I going to have to replace a cable a year? I don't know if this is allowed by here is my email ~ mschack63@hotmail.com

[the2knights]

Just went thru some speedo issues myself, but, as a general rule I try to remove once a year and run some oil down the inside of the cable. Recently there was a thread on here what people do with the excess 10 oz of oil after an oil change. This is one of the many uses I have for it.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

I too had to replace mine, but that was 5 years back. Carl Leo advised me to soak the entire thing in old oil for at least q/w hour before installing. Also each year at least once if not several times I will disconnect it at the wheel and drain any water that may have built up in side the sheath/putter covering. Many will remove the inner cable, coat it with grease and reinsert it before attaching it to the bike.
Either way you should be good for a few years as long as it's a good cable to start with.

[Mr Jensee]

Remove the core and spray it with white lithium grease once a year and it will not break. Heat from friction is what is causing the breakage.

[Hip001]

Mine stopped working last week. I figured it was due to it being old, but now I'll add it to the routine maint list when I install the new one.

[ghostler]

My 2001 speedo went out last fall. Fortunately I had my GPS with me, to act as a speedometer. When I pulled the speedo cable, the top was full of water and frozen. A new one corrected the problem. I bought the bike a little over a year ago. Appreciate the advice in this forum. It'll get relubed annually hence forth.

[doug of so fla]

To keep water out of the speedo cable and hsg simply find a small o-ring that fits over the inner cable end right where it connects to the hsg tighten up no more water intrusion.

[ghostler]

From what I understand, the water is a result of the natural relative humidity in the air, condensing and producing water droplets over time. The location of the upper speedometer cable connection is not exposed to the elements during inclimate weather.

Has use of an O-ring worked to completely eliminate the problem, or just slow it down?

[doug of so fla]

Worked to keep ALL water out of lower hsg and cable. When greasing the cable use MARINE white Lithium grease (Waterproof). You can also soak complete cable in oil for a day and that will keep it lubed and prevent moisture from getting in. My speedo cables usually lasted over 100,000miles doing it this way. Hint: cable should be run on the outside of the left shock, not on the inside, the less bends it has is better.

[ghostler]

Good point, thanks for the tips, Doug.

[Mr Jensee]

Good point Doug. Like I said, it is friction that kills the cable. It has to spin at a high rpm and if kept properly greased and has no unnecessary binding points the longer it will last.

[Littlebeaver]

Wow, I suppose I will be purchasing me a extra cable to keep in my bag, I had a clutch cable break on me once on the Honda and it was Thanksgiving day, I ended up getting it into neutral using the broken cable and I started it popped it into gear and rode home very slowly, had to burn a few lights as I couldn't stop, glad I was in the country... I learned my lesson that day,, carry extras...

[Mr Jensee]

Wow, I suppose I will be purchasing me a extra cable to keep in my bag, I had a clutch cable break on me once on the Honda and it was Thanksgiving day, I ended up getting it into neutral using the broken cable and I started it popped it into gear and rode home very slowly, had to burn a few lights as I couldn't stop, glad I was in the country... I learned my lesson that day,, carry extras...

I think we all had an experience like that if we were riding bikes in the 70's. I know I limped home more than once like that.

[ghostler]

I've found my GPS works as a good substitute speedometer, when my cable broke last Spring.