Man another bug in the bike speedometer bounce

[jagcofj]

Man went riding speedometer started bouncing around 55 to 75 miles per-hour when I'm running about 35 to 45 seem to bounce very little this just started today.
Can you guy's tell me the steps in finding the problem / what would make this happen.  I check the speedometer cable at the front wheel it's not lose.

[FJmonkey]

First the bounce, then it really bounces, then you think a scalded cat is howling in your speedo... Welcome to one of the rights of passage of getting old, your bike that is... Lube the speedo cable, easy to do and is mostly free of cost. Some have lubed the back of the speedo with some good results. But the bushings/bearings are worn and will get worse with use. So you could just park the bike and all is well. But that is not why we have an FJ, ride it we must for the joy of it. You can send the sppedo to a shop in San Diego for a rebuild or swap it out for a GPS unit that will fit in the cluster. I have purchased a GPS HUD unit I intend to install and post up once I have it working or not. If it works then $40USD is not a bad price to replace the speedo. The unit works well in my truck, just not sure how to place it on my '89. I need to get the valves finished and the tank back on for the HUD install. Stay tuned...

[FJools]

Try cleaning and lubing the speedo cable inner. keep the oil away from the speedo instrument end though

[jagcofj]

First the bounce, then it really bounces, then you think a scalded cat is howling in your speedo... Welcome to one of the rights of passage of getting old, your bike that is... Lube the speedo cable, easy to do and is mostly free of cost. Some have lubed the back of the speedo with some good results. But the bushings/bearings are worn and will get worse with use. So you could just park the bike and all is well. But that is not why we have an FJ, ride it we must for the joy of it. You can send the sppedo to a shop in San Diego for a rebuild or swap it out for a GPS unit that will fit in the cluster. I have purchased a GPS HUD unit I intend to install and post up once I have it working or not. If it works then $40USD is not a bad price to replace the speedo. The unit works well in my truck, just not sure how to place it on my '89. I need to get the valves finished and the tank back on for the HUD install. Stay tuned...

funny - freaken speedometer needle looks drunk when riding. i will try the lube thing.

[red]

Man went riding speedometer started bouncing around 55 to 75 miles per-hour when I'm running about 35 to 45 seem to bounce very little this just started today.  Can you guy's tell me the steps in finding the problem / what would make this happen.  I check the speedometer cable at the front wheel it's not lose.

jagcofj,

If you need to lube the instrument, this worked to cure "howling" from the speedometer for me:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=12579.msg125048#msg125048

Hope this helps.  Otherwise, it's either an instrument repair, or a GPS speedometer that fits in the panel where the bad one is now.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=12405.msg123530#msg123530

http://www.speedhut.com/gauges/Speedometers/GPS-Speedometers/?catid=f232|f8|f37

Cheers,
Red

[4everFJ]

As far as I know, the speedo from an early 90's XJ 900 Diversion will also fit (same for the rev counter and fuel gauge).

It might be cheaper and easier to find.

[jagcofj]

wow thanks for all  the info fj riders, xj900 looks to be a nice bike i don't remember the bike. 

[4everFJ]

The XJ 900 is a nice shaftie tourer. Very reliable.

These are the clocks from a XJ 900 Diversion:



Looks familiar  

[FJ_Hooligan]

From what I recall, the XJ900 was only offered in the US for 1 year; 1983.  It didn't have a fairing.

I've never seen that version, the picture says 1985?  Looks very much like a mini-FJ

[4everFJ]

From what I recall, the XJ900 was only offered in the US for 1 year; 1983.  It didn't have a fairing.

I've never seen that version, the picture says 1985?  Looks very much like a mini-FJ

Could be that the later XJ900's wasn't sold in the US? They were very popular as touring bikes in Europe.

[jagcofj]

This is kinda crazy, I was looking at some pics of the bike - before I change my fork seals the speedo cable ran across over top the brake cable on the side of the finder install it back like in the 1st pic speedometer would not bounce any more at any speeds.
 
I had it ran kinda like behind the brake cable not crossing over the cable at the side finder it look like this way made the loop wider going in the gear drive at the front wheel.  I tried hooking it up 2 more times this way took the bike out for about 5 mile ride each time speedo needle got drunk again bounce around.  2nd pic hook up like this needle will bounce