speedometer needle waggle

[krasmu]

I just noticed 2 days ago that the speedometer needle on my 90xii is waggling about 5 mph at speeds between 50-60. Seems steady below that. On my old Honda Magna 750 this was the precursor to the speedometer freezing up which led to a broken cable. Anyone have this issue? I'm going to remove the cable and give a good lube, but part of me is a bit scared of it being the speedometer itself, like the last time. Any input?

[bikerking.biz]

Anytime I seen this, it was either the speedometer cable was ready to go, or the speed sending unit on the front wheel was ready to barf (may have a gear slipping or stripping). Best to check the cable first, then look and test front wheel sender.

[krasmu]

Can i get at the back of the speedometer to remove the cable through the headlight bezel or do i have to remove the fairing to get to it?

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Remove the headlight and bezel and you will have access to the top end of the cable and where it connects. It's a little tight but my hands fit so unless you're monstrously huge the only problem is seeing when your hands are in there. Eyeball it good first so you know what's where!

[krasmu]

Perfect. Thanks. I know what im doing this weekend now while my Bears team looses again

[krasmu]

found another piece of the puzzle. I noticed last night that it only waggled on the stretch of the road that is particularly rough. On the smooth new hardtop, it was steady. Making me think something is loose in the system. will pull it apart and inspect it. good time to lube it anyway.

[bikerking.biz]

Kirk,

Just so you know, you don't have to remove the complete cable (out cable with inner cable) to check the inner cable. Just unscrew the speedometer cable down by the front wheel and withdraw the inner cable out. If it is in good shape, clean, regrease and re-install in the outer cable which more than likely is ok. The last little bit of installation, you may have to turn the cable slightly for it to set into the receptor in the speedometer in the dash.

[krasmu]

I did think of that. And with the new knowledge that it is being effected by bumps. Im leaning at it turning out to be a warn part down on the wheel end of it. Is there a preferred grease they recommend for the cable?

[bikerking.biz]

I did think of that. And with the new knowledge that it is being effected by bumps. Im leaning at it turning out to be a warn part down on the wheel end of it. Is there a preferred grease they recommend for the cable?

I would use a lighter body grease. Your sending unit gears on the front wheel could be stripping if the cable turns out ok. You should take the inner cable out every year to drain the water out that invariably always seems to get in there, and regrease. After I started this, I've never had to replace the cable yet. Miss it too often, the cable dries, drags or wears in the sheath, and eventually breaks.