Speedometer pinion gear washers

[randallar]

OK, so I got the new speedometer gears and I got it all out of the housing and I'm cleaning it out and there is stuff coming out I had no idea of what it was. So, I just kept cleaning until everything was clean. Greased everything up and put it back together. I'm looking at the manual for torque specs and see 2 little washers on the pinion. Mine had no washers, I dug it back out and dug through the muck and no washers. Checked the tech tips and at the end of the tech tip it says

Cable should go up thru fairing on outside of shock and I always put a small o-ring on bottom end of cable to keep water out and do not loose little washer on the end of cable and ones on the pinion.

I have no washer for the cable either. Questions: How important are the washers, what are they made of, can I find something similar locally, what size o-ring for the cable, does the o-ring go where the inner cable is or around the outside where the thumb screw is, what size washer is on the cable? I can pull it back apart again and I got another seal from the bearings, can I leave it or order the stuff and wait another 2-3 weeks again? Thanks Randy

[doug of so fla]

Randy: The small washer act as shims or a bearing, not a real big deal if missing they are very thin, one is usually on the end of the cable & 1 on tip of pinion gear.

O-ring is just to help keep moisture out of cable. it fits in end of cable housing where it flares out a little, it does not come with the XII's.. Best thing to do is make sure to use a good quality grease, synthetic or waterproof white lithium grease and you should be fine.

You could go find a thin washer at a hardware store that just fits over the ends of the pinion shafts, but it also has to be the right outside diameter. Many of the washers have vanished and most don't replace them. Regrease speedo gears & cable whenever you have to take front wheel off and you should be ok.. Ride Safe..

[randallar]

Thank you for your answer. I took a 4mm washer and drilled the center out to fit over the 5mm shaft, this gave me the 5.1x9mm washer and installed just 1 on the cable side since this is were the wear will be and I'm not sure of .4 thickness. I'll do as you say and grease it up. Thanks again Randy

[doug of so fla]

Randy: FYI: I believe that the washers on the ends of the pinion gears are to protect the pinion gear from wearing on the soft alum housing that they go into.

[randallar]

Yea, the wear was on the cable side going into the pressed in housing. To tell the truth I should have put in 2 washers it was worn a little more than I thought. But I think it will live for awhile and can get the pressed housing and washers when I make another original parts purchase. Now that I have it drilled it's easy to get the pinion out. Thanks again.