Prolly a rooky thing but I took my front wheel off and dropped it off at a bike shop ("we only work on Harley's and have been for 40 yrs.") for a new tire mount and balance and a bearing packing. A week later I get the wheel back, put it on the bike, torque it up and the rotor hits the speedo sensor. Here's the rooky part - I didn't notice right away that when they had put the rotors back on they mixed the bolts up and had a couple of the deeper headed ones on the wrong side and those were catching the sensor. I fixed that and after being assured that no spacers are missing I put it back together realize the sensor has basically broken in two. The one side has the cable coming out of it with the gear driving the cable and the other side has the clip that fits into the rotor.

Do I have replace the whole sensor and cable? Does anyone know where I can get one?

 

I bought a new one only a couple of weeks ago, so they are still available, although as aftermarket parts. I bought mine on Ebay, where you will find dozens of them! Just pick your way through them carefully, to make sure you get the correct one for your bike and year. Search for 'speedo drive'. The cable outer screws into the unit, so should come away easily.

As for your bike I am surprised anything could hit that unit, as on my 1990 bike nothing comes close and the screws holding on the rotors are the same both sides.

 

You can get replacement speedo drive units from J&P cycle for your 87. Got one for my 89 several years ago, worked just fine...

 

Thanks guys!

I understand and agree that there should be more clearance, which brings up another problem I encountered. When I had everything torqued up I did not have enough room for the outside pad on the left side. This makes me KNOW that there is something missing or backwards or whatever. Could I be putting the wheel on backwards? I am putting the valve stem on the left just like the original service manual tells me to do, but I am wondering of the shop put something together wrong.

Told ya...rookie!

 

What service manual do you have? The tyre valve sticks out to the right, not left. When the bike is parked on the jiffy stand you can easily get at both valves. The rear wheel is not reversible. Out of interest, check your tyre sidewalls to see which way the direction arrow points.

 

Holy Crap! I have one of the original manuals but it flops back and forth talking about the FLHTC and FLX's. Man if that has been my problem all along I have learned a lot - most of all to get on HDF before I start anything!!

I am at work - may have some time to check out what you said tonight. It makes sense though cause the spacer on the right should fit further back in the wheel and it will if I turn the wheel around.

THANKS MUCH!!! I will let you know.

 

Valve stem to the left on the front wheel.
Page 2-7 in manual #99483-90, first sentence.

 

Don't recall mine ever being that side - it certainly isn't now!

 

If they mounted the tire the same way the old one came off(they should have)...you can use the directional arrow on the tire to see which way it goes...the directional arrow on the tire has to be pointed the way the wheel rotates regardless...so if have to turn the wheel around, you may need to have the tire remounted in the correct direction...

 

Thanks for all the help. It makes sense that the valve stem would be on the upside when the bike is on the kickstand. I should have time to work on it tomorrow nightand I will let you know what I find out.