Speedo reads faster than it should.
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Cruiser
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Speedo reads faster than it should.
I put about 900 miles on my 1993 FXSTC this weekend and when I was nearly home the speedo started jumping and now it reads faster than it should. The faster I got the worse it gets. I would say at 70mph it reads 90mph. When I saw it jumping I thought the cable probably needed lubed but now that it reads faster than it should I don't think the cable would cause that. I was thinking of just spraying the back of the speedo head with WD-40 but figured I would check here first.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,422
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From: NC USA
RE: Speedo reads faster than it should.
I agree. If a mechanical speedo jumps, it's because the drive is sticking -winding up then turning loose faster than it's supposed to be turning. That could be wear of the ends, a loose end or dry cable housing. And it can be caused by the "chain" being too long for the housing. (I used to make them for trucks) Also remember, at least one end of that cable must slide freely- whether in the speedo it's self or the adapter fitting on one end. Some housings are nylon lined and petroleum lubricants will cause premature failure.
If the jumping has stopped by your efforts or by itself, and the thing still reads consistantly fast, then the mechanism inside the speedo has come loose, allowing the magnetic strip to be too close to the pickup. Fixing one might be more trouble than it's worth.
If the jumping has stopped by your efforts or by itself, and the thing still reads consistantly fast, then the mechanism inside the speedo has come loose, allowing the magnetic strip to be too close to the pickup. Fixing one might be more trouble than it's worth.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
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From: NW AR
RE: Speedo reads faster than it should.
My speedo has read about 10MPH fast since day one. It is a huge PITA to get the thing out. I just live with it. Worse is the 6 or 7 speedo cables I've gone through. But, I can swap one out in about a half hour on at the dealer on the road now, reaching the back of the speedo by feel.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
RE: Speedo reads faster than it should.
I agree with the others. The drive cable will come away from the outer if you disconnect at the speedo end. It shouldpull out easily if all is well, but I suspect there is some fraying of it somewhere. Mind your fingers, as if there is theremay be sharp needle-like bits trying to bite you!
A complete replacement cable is probably necessary. Grease the inner cable very lightly before fitting, but make sure there is no surplus grease at the speedo end, to work its way inside it.
A complete replacement cable is probably necessary. Grease the inner cable very lightly before fitting, but make sure there is no surplus grease at the speedo end, to work its way inside it.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
RE: Speedo reads faster than it should.
ORIGINAL: Dr.Hess
My speedo has read about 10MPH fast since day one. It is a huge PITA to get the thing out. I just live with it. Worse is the 6 or 7 speedo cables I've gone through. But, I can swap one out in about a half hour on at the dealer on the road now, reaching the back of the speedo by feel.
My speedo has read about 10MPH fast since day one. It is a huge PITA to get the thing out. I just live with it. Worse is the 6 or 7 speedo cables I've gone through. But, I can swap one out in about a half hour on at the dealer on the road now, reaching the back of the speedo by feel.
Your speedo is not 10mph off it is a percent off. For instance mine is 10 percent off. When it reads 30mph I am going 33. When it reads 70mph I am going 77... This might help you when you are going forty by the speedo and in realty you are going 33 and not 30.
"Osifer, I know thatI was not speeding"
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
RE: Speedo reads faster than it should.
89 FXRS, that's not quite right with my bike. It is closer to 10 off and not a percent. 40 reads 50, 70 reads 80. I think higher, it goes up 10 plus a percent. The 883 is very close to actual and I've compared them as well as done the math on the odometer or mile markers/time. My odometer reads about 1-2% high, which could be tires or just systemic error. The speedo just never was right.I didn't really notice it until after my warranty ran outso I'm just stuck with it.
My speedo cables always break on the way to Sturgis. Either the cable goes or the drive gear. I just about expect it. I can swap a drive out in about 5 minutes if I can get the weight off the front wheel. Last one was at St. Joe HD who loaned me a little jack thing. Right now, I have a genuine HD drive and a genuine HD cable. We'll see how long these last. It's really the only thing that goes wrong on my bike, so I can't complain about it. Just the way it is. In 87, they moved the drive over to the other side and I think that helped a lot by making the cable path straighter.
My speedo cables always break on the way to Sturgis. Either the cable goes or the drive gear. I just about expect it. I can swap a drive out in about 5 minutes if I can get the weight off the front wheel. Last one was at St. Joe HD who loaned me a little jack thing. Right now, I have a genuine HD drive and a genuine HD cable. We'll see how long these last. It's really the only thing that goes wrong on my bike, so I can't complain about it. Just the way it is. In 87, they moved the drive over to the other side and I think that helped a lot by making the cable path straighter.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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From:
RE: Speedo reads faster than it should.
Always prelube a new speedo cable with Graphite, not as messy and stays put.
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