speedo won't go above 40...

[Anonymous]

As I mentioned in another thread, I had a minor 10 mph crash while swerving to avoid a merging car and, among other things, the instrument panel got a TINY bit of road rash. Just enough, apparently, to bend the speedo mounting bracket which caused the orange cylindrical plastic speedo container to shatter into a half-dozen pieces.

I took it apart, blew all the tiny pieces out, and examined it. Everything *seemed* to be in order, so I epoxied it all back together and reinstalled it into my '80 GS850G. I started my bike up and idled to the end of the driveway, satisfied to see the speedo needle flutter. Accelerating down the street I was further pleased to see the needle move smoothly and, apparently, accurately.

However, I quickly noticed that it wouldn't go above 40 mph. The needle would just park itself at 35-40 mph, so long as I was going at least that fast. When I would slow down below 35-40 the needle seems to accurately dip accordingly. It has good response at slower speeds, too.

Any ideas? Anyone seen this before? I saw a speedo on ebay for $150, which is quite prohibitive at this point, unfortunately...

[Anonymous]

Re: speedo won't go above 40...

I saw a speedo on ebay for $150, which is quite prohibitive at this point, unfortunately...

No advice on fixing what you've got, but if it's unfixable, look at bicycle computers. Sigma is the one I usually see recommended since it'll handle up to 180 mph. It should set you back around $20.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking of that, and got all excited when I considered the possibility of removing my instrument panel entirely- way stealthier. But there's no way to record RPMs, right?

[Anonymous]

I was thinking of that, and got all excited when I considered the possibility of removing my instrument panel entirely- way stealthier. But there's no way to record RPMs, right?

There are probably digital tachs available for motorcycles, but bicycle computers won't have them. I don't think the ones that monitor cadence would expect the pedals to go around thousands of times per minute :-)

(You probably want to keep around things like your oil pressure light anyhow.)

These aren't cheap, but they're kinda nifty -- instrumentation in your mirror frames!

[Anonymous]

wow! those mirror instruments are SWEET! Considering I've busted two mirrors in the last three months, that could get expensive.

[SqDancerLynn1]

80 you got stuck with the 85mph speedo I have a 140mph speedo that should work from 77-79 GS750 $25

[ptm]

Re: speedo won't go above 40...

However, I quickly noticed that it wouldn't go above 40 mph. The needle would just park itself at 35-40 mph, so long as I was going at least that fast. When I would slow down below 35-40 the needle seems to accurately dip accordingly. It has good response at slower speeds, too.

I had a similar problem when I first rode my 750. It just needed to have the shaft on the speedo lubed - unfortunately you need to take it apart to get to it. I put some WD-40 on the shaft right where it pivots and worked it in by turning the needle back and forth. It works great now - although I haven't tested it very far above 100.

[Anonymous]

Re: speedo won't go above 40...

I had a similar problem when I first rode my 750. It just needed to have the shaft on the speedo lubed - unfortunately you need to take it apart to get to it. I put some WD-40 on the shaft right where it pivots and worked it in by turning the needle back and forth.

what shaft are you talking about?

[ptm]

The shaft that the needle is attached to that passes through the face of the gauge. It's not a jeweled movement and the lube in it gets gummy after a while.

That may not be the problem. The fact that it seems to operate normally below 40, points to something else. Mine was acting similarly, but it was a little sluggish below the 30-40 range. There may be something else going on, but either way it looks like you'll have to take it apart again. That's going to be a challenge given the repairs it's already been through.