I was a few miles from home earlier when the speedometer on my '94 Fatboy stopped working. And of course, the odometer and trip odometer did the same.

Am I correct in assuming that I need to replace the cable? If so, is it easy or a PITA?

Most important question: will that zero out my odometer?

 

The most likely culprit is your speedo cable but that's not always the case.
The problem could also exist in your speedo drive or the speedometer itself.

You should take it apart and look before spending your money on parts!!!!

It's an easy enough job. Gonna have to pull the left tank.
Long ago I added this to my crossover tube so I didn't have to drain the tanks before removing them.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Goodridge-I...RapsWm&vxp=mtr

Changing the speedo cable or the speedo drive will have no affect on your odometer.

 

Thanks a ton. I'll go get started.

 

First, make sure the tab on the drive is still in the slot of the rotor. If it is, then unscrew the nut at the cable where it attaches to the speedo. After raising the front wheel off of the ground, spin the tire and see if the inner cable is turning. If so, the drive and cable should be good, it's the speedo. If not, unscrew the cable from the drive and inspect both ends. Sometimes either end may have snapped off. If the cable is OK, it's the drive.
Good luck, welcome to the world of HD speedo issues, we've all been there.

 

What should I look for, exactly?

 

Inspecting the speedo cable:
Take it off the bike and get ahold of both ends.
Spin one end and if the other turns with it then the cable is good, if it doesn't then the cable is bad.
You can also pull on both ends and if one end moves (comes out) and the other end stays in place then the cable is bad.

Inspecting the speedo drive:
Take the drive off the bike and gently stick a small screwdriver in the hole the cable goes in.
Spin the part of the drive with the tab one full turn.
Screwdriver should spin approx 2.75 turns. (not real sure about the 0.75 part but it definitely more than 2 turns).
Once again if it does then the drive is good if not then it's bad.

If both of the above test good then the speedometer itself is bad.

 

Thank you very much. I had no idea where to start. I'll go have a look tomorrow morning.

 

Do you have a FSM?

 

Sorry, but I don't know that acronym.

What's an FSM?

 

Factory Service Manual. You need one. Everyone needs one. NOT THAT WE WON'T/CAN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, it's just that everyone needs one.

I would raise the front wheel, pull the axle out, unscrew the drive from the cable, see if a short piece of cable doesn't come out the cable sheath when you tug on it. Spin the cable with your fingers and see if the needle on the speedo moves. If it does, the sender is shot. If not, the cable is shot. I've gone through so many of them that I just replace both now and only use HD parts.