Topic: Speedo dial bounces, how do I fix

[haloskycrash]

I have a 1975 cb750f.  I wan't to fix or see if I need a new speedometer.  When riding the dial will bounce between a 10 mph range.  Do I need to fix my cable or replace a part?

[Gordon]

Your cable either needs to be lubricated or replaced. 

[andy8190]

on my ride today i noticed this problem too but i dont think mine was a 10 mph difference, is some bounce normal?

[UnCrash]

My cable vibrates loose from the speedo occasionally on my 76K.  My first indication is that it starts to bounce.  If I don't pull over soon and screw it back in eventually it will work its way off and then viola -- no speedo.

Someday I'll locktite the thing on...

[Really?]

The cable sheeth might chafed which is hanging up the cable.  Cheap to replace.

I do not know if these bikes ever get a crazt squeal coming from the speedo, specially in clod weather, but bearings going out can do this too.

My VR would squeal loudly.  Greased the bearing in the speedo and it stopped for a short time.  It was 40 degrees and I went for a ride, had to pull the cable to stop the noise.  Also had to replace the speedo.

[Gordon]

I do not know if these bikes ever get a crazt squeal coming from the speedo, specially in clod weather, but bearings going out can do this too.

My 550 started doing that this Fall.  First the tach, and then the speedo.  I'd rather not have to replace both clocks, but if I have to I will.  For the time being, since it's always cold in the morning on the way to work, it's running without either. 

[sparty]

Super glue it at 100 MPH 

[bwaller]

Someone here suggested using a drinking straw or equivalent attached to a vacuum hose and cleaning the old grease & dirt from around the instrument drives, then re lubing. I have tried it on a couple different gauges, and it helped one, the other was toast.

[haloskycrash]

What kind of lube is good to use for the cable?

[mrbreeze]

Weather plays hell on old cable driven clocks. I had a 69 Chevy pickup out in Wyoming where the speedo worked fine until the temp went down to 15 degrees or so.I worked 30 miles from home so when I drove to work on a real cold morning....the speedo would jack up and make noise.The odometer would be screaming putting miles on.After about 10 miles......it would quiet down and return to regular function.One particular day.....it was peggin' so hard it broke the needle off!!!!!! I picked up a used speedo at a bone yard and after making sure the cable was OK.........lubed it......hooked it all up and no probs after that.

[CB500_k2]

Sometimes the problem is in the instrument rather than the cable.  I have had to open up a tachometer on my 400 and 500 to correct a needle bounce.  It is not too hard to do, just use a dremel cutting wheel to cut the chrome ring around the instrument and separate the case.  Use a light lube on friction points and swing the needle a few times to free things up.  The put the case back together and secure the chrome ring with a bit of JB weld at the cut point. 

[Johnie]

What kind of lube is good to use for the cable?

You can buy cable lubes out there.  One of my Honda manuals says to use light 10W oil.  So I just took the cable out of the sheath, cleaned it real good with like WD40 and then just dipped the cable innard in the can of clean oil.  Pulled it out and let the excess drip off.  Install and it runs smooth.  No jumping at all.  I think a whole new cable and covering is around $20 from Honda.