Dancing speedo needle

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Sep 21, 2018 | 05:38 PM

Arseclown

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 699

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From: Batcave

Dancing speedo needle

Hi all

i just rode a thousand miles and most were at around 70-80 mph. In the last half, my speedo needle wouldn’t hold still and was “dancing” for lack of a better word. It jumped around +\- 3mph.

Whenever I’d stop for a break and turn the bike off, and then back on again, it’d work as it should but that would be in a town where I’d be going slow. Once I’d speed up, the needle would hold steady but only for a minute or two then start bouncing around.

Any ideas on what to tighten or fix?

Sep 21, 2018 | 05:43 PM

strych9

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 7,323

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From: Omaha,NE

If it's cable-driven, you need to remove the cable core and lube it with light grease. If it's electric, the speedo head needs to be replaced.

Sep 21, 2018 | 05:46 PM

Arseclown

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 699

Likes: 232

From: Batcave

Thanks for the quick reply. My evo was made in 1988 but is a 1989 model. She just turned thirty. I don’t know what type speedo I have

Sep 21, 2018 | 05:50 PM

IronAss

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Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 23,053

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From: Arkansas

You need to take a look at the speedometer. If it has a cable screwed into the underside of it, it’s cable driven. If it doesn’t, it’s electronic.

If you don’t know how to get to the underside of it, you probably should spend the money for a service manual which will also tell you which type of speedo it is.

Last edited by IronAss; Sep 21, 2018 at 06:07 PM.

Sep 21, 2018 | 06:18 PM

Dr.Hess

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Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 8,199

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From: NW AR

Cable. It's probably on the way out. You might be able to lube it and get some more life out of it. I'm on about my 7th or 8th cable. I'd have to check my logs.