Speedometer cable lube?
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 770
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From: USA
Speedometer cable lube?
95 softail Springer bad boy. I've got a whining or whistle type noise that I think may be coming from the speedometer area. I read about lubing the speedometer cable.
on the parts diagram it looks like you could just disassemble the dash enough to unscrew the cable from the back of the speedometer. Is that correct?
Do you use a certain type of grease? Do you just lube the area that screws into the back of the speedometer?
Thanks guys.
on the parts diagram it looks like you could just disassemble the dash enough to unscrew the cable from the back of the speedometer. Is that correct?
Do you use a certain type of grease? Do you just lube the area that screws into the back of the speedometer?
Thanks guys.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,441
Likes: 2,637
From: NC USA
Take it loose from the top and the "chain" will pull completely out. With a small blob of (any kind) grease, feed the chain thru the grease back into the housing.
The twist of the chain and the direction it turns will prevent the lube from walking up into the speedo head.
The twist of the chain and the direction it turns will prevent the lube from walking up into the speedo head.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,510
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From: Long Island
On my Bonnie I am able to unscrew cable at gauge.
Then pull the inner cable completely out.
Spray WD40 thru the outer.
Spray and wipe the removed inner.
Grease the cleaned inner, then reinstall.
Then pull the inner cable completely out.
Spray WD40 thru the outer.
Spray and wipe the removed inner.
Grease the cleaned inner, then reinstall.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2020
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From: USA
Thanks. How do you remove inner cable from the front wheel?
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 770
Likes: 170
From: USA
Another question , if I disconnected the cable from the front wheel, I could then ride the bike and see if the noise is still there or not? Seems like that would tell me for sure or not.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
The inner cable will pull out the top. It is not connected to the speedometer drive.
To remove the housing from the drive unit, you have to take the wheel loose. The housing threads into the drive unit.
No easy way out, do as mentioned in earlier posts and grease it or replace.
To remove the housing from the drive unit, you have to take the wheel loose. The housing threads into the drive unit.
No easy way out, do as mentioned in earlier posts and grease it or replace.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 770
Likes: 170
From: USA
The inner cable will pull out the top. It is not connected to the speedometer drive.
To remove the housing from the drive unit, you have to take the wheel loose. The housing threads into the drive unit.
No easy way out, do as mentioned in earlier posts and grease it or replace.
To remove the housing from the drive unit, you have to take the wheel loose. The housing threads into the drive unit.
No easy way out, do as mentioned in earlier posts and grease it or replace.
I was thinking the inner cable ran from the speedometer down to this part at the wheel
Thanks
Last edited by bulldog1776; Sep 17, 2025 at 02:19 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,441
Likes: 2,637
From: NC USA
The housing is connected to the drive unit on the wheel. The inner cable is not.
The cable housing is connected the speedometer housing with a long thin nut. It may take two fingers or one finger and thumb to unscrew it. The inner cable should then pull out of the plastic housing.
You may have to twist on the cable back and forth while pulling to get it loose. On re-install. you may have to do the same when the end of the cable gets to drive so the cable end will align with the square of the drive.
The cable housing is connected the speedometer housing with a long thin nut. It may take two fingers or one finger and thumb to unscrew it. The inner cable should then pull out of the plastic housing.
You may have to twist on the cable back and forth while pulling to get it loose. On re-install. you may have to do the same when the end of the cable gets to drive so the cable end will align with the square of the drive.