Front driven speedometer
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2nd Gear
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Front driven speedometer
Hello. My 1987 FXSTC has a front driven speedometer. It does not work, and neither does the odometer. It does light up when the ignition is set to "Lights" If anyone has any information or advice, I would appreciate it. The speedometer setup seems to be pretty straightforward but I have no idea why it doesn't work. 
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Front driven speedometer
Your speedo is a strictly mechanical device. It lights up 'cause it has a light bulb that is still working! (Thanx for reminding me - my '87 FLST speedo bulb is out.)
First look at the wheel end. Roll the front wheel and make sure the speedo drive turns with it. There is a little clip that hooks into a notch on the wheel hub that turns the drive. If the drive freezes up, the tab will get bent/broken and pull out of the notch. If the drive unit looks OK, move up to the dash.
Pull your choke **** off, unbolt the dash, and pull it off. Look underneath the front of the actual speedo and make sure the cable is still connected. Try turning the nut with your fingers to see if it loose. If everything looks OK here, loosen the nut, and pull the cable assembly out of the speedo. While looking at the upper end and the internal cable, have someone turn the front wheel. If the internal cable turns, the drive and cable are OK. Unfortunately, that leaves your speedo as the faulty part.
While they can be repaired, it is usually more expensive than simply repalcing them. There are a ton of aftermarket ones available. HD might even still have them for a bike this old. Prices run from anywhere from $65 to big bucks. You can even convert to a drive unit off the rear wheel, or an electronic unit.
First look at the wheel end. Roll the front wheel and make sure the speedo drive turns with it. There is a little clip that hooks into a notch on the wheel hub that turns the drive. If the drive freezes up, the tab will get bent/broken and pull out of the notch. If the drive unit looks OK, move up to the dash.
Pull your choke **** off, unbolt the dash, and pull it off. Look underneath the front of the actual speedo and make sure the cable is still connected. Try turning the nut with your fingers to see if it loose. If everything looks OK here, loosen the nut, and pull the cable assembly out of the speedo. While looking at the upper end and the internal cable, have someone turn the front wheel. If the internal cable turns, the drive and cable are OK. Unfortunately, that leaves your speedo as the faulty part.
While they can be repaired, it is usually more expensive than simply repalcing them. There are a ton of aftermarket ones available. HD might even still have them for a bike this old. Prices run from anywhere from $65 to big bucks. You can even convert to a drive unit off the rear wheel, or an electronic unit.
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2nd Gear
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RE: Front driven speedometer
Thanks for the input man. You really helped out a lot.
I found out that the front light is actually a sealed beam and the whole unit needs to be replaced. It is on order.
Back light replaced and good to go.
The speedometer issue is still elusive. I followed your steps, however, the spindle inside the cable did not move when I took it out and coasted the bike down the driveway. Hopefully, the speedometer still works but I am skeptical about the drive unit on the front wheel. It looks like it could be the cable, the drive unit, or both. I bought a new cable but the guy at the shop gave me the wrong one so I will have to exchange it tomorrow. In the meantime, I began attempting to remove the cable from the drive unit on the wheel but it doesn't seem to be coming out. Is there a certain way to do this? The connection is not faceted like a bolt, it is round. I used vice grips for a few minutes and it did spin, but did not come out any.
Thanks again for your help.
I found out that the front light is actually a sealed beam and the whole unit needs to be replaced. It is on order.
Back light replaced and good to go.
The speedometer issue is still elusive. I followed your steps, however, the spindle inside the cable did not move when I took it out and coasted the bike down the driveway. Hopefully, the speedometer still works but I am skeptical about the drive unit on the front wheel. It looks like it could be the cable, the drive unit, or both. I bought a new cable but the guy at the shop gave me the wrong one so I will have to exchange it tomorrow. In the meantime, I began attempting to remove the cable from the drive unit on the wheel but it doesn't seem to be coming out. Is there a certain way to do this? The connection is not faceted like a bolt, it is round. I used vice grips for a few minutes and it did spin, but did not come out any.
Thanks again for your help.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Front driven speedometer
Mine had a couple flats on it to allow a wrench to be used. And my inner cable can be pulled out of the sheath, too. I'd say at least the first two possibilities are either the drive unit is broken, or the inner cable is. If that wrong cable will fit into the speedo, you can use a drill motor to turn it and see if the speedo works.
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2nd Gear
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RE: Front driven speedometer
Well, I was finally able to get the old cable off.
What appears to have happened was the end piece that extends into the drive unit had jammed and broken off inside the unit. I had to go crazy with a pair of needle nose pliers for fifteen minutes but I was finally able to wiggle that broken piece out.
The new cable went on without a problem and the speedo works like a charm!!!
Pococj, thanks for your help.
What appears to have happened was the end piece that extends into the drive unit had jammed and broken off inside the unit. I had to go crazy with a pair of needle nose pliers for fifteen minutes but I was finally able to wiggle that broken piece out.
The new cable went on without a problem and the speedo works like a charm!!!
Pococj, thanks for your help.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From:
RE: Front driven speedometer
Those cables freeze up due to water settling in that area.It gets trapped and rusts up everything until cable frays itself.Very common not expensive to fix.Take your old one with you when picking up new one.
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I know this is an old post, but I have a similar problem...I have a 94 sportster 1200 and I did find out that the cable inside is broke, and have a new cable on the way. My problem is where the cable goes into the front assembly it is round with no notches and when I try and loosen it, it only moves a little and won't move anymore. What the heck am I not doing right to get it off?!? Is the whole front assembly bad inside and is that why I am having trouble getting it off? any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!
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