Speedometer / Cable issue?

DanteCoal · April 18th, 2015, 03:11 PM

I've got an '86 Ninja 250.

Was on a long ride. While ago,and my speedo and tach needles started bouncing all crazy like, then going steady again for a while, bouncing, going steady for a while. Repeat that for the rest of the ride until I was just about home (about an hour of this) and suddenly my speedo just drops to 0, and my tach starts behaving.

I take off the speedo cable, and its broken off down at the wheel, right where it was soldered on. The end that goes into my meter was fine.

Scrapped that, figured I had a bur in the cable, got a new one. Same thing happening immediately. Got a new cable and tube, and it's still happening.

Any ideas, advice, etc?

Ghostt · April 18th, 2015, 04:15 PM

The speedometer is 100% mechanical, no electricity whatsoever.

So if it's behaving poorly, you need to check a few things.

First make sure the speedometer cable is properly routed, no kinks, bends, etc,

Second make sure the speedometer gear Part # 41078 in the front wheel is lube, and working, and installed properly.

Third check to speedometer gauge itself, to make sure nothing is obviously wrong.

As far as the tachometer goes, that's electrical, so start with the basics, like loose wires, faulty wires, connections, etc.... Especially all grounds.

Are there any other issues with the bike? Any recent services done to it? Any modifications?

MrAtom · April 19th, 2015, 02:50 AM

This just means you need to grease the speedo cable. I had the same problem, greased the cable, it still happened, so I REALLY greased the cable and no issues. Don't be afraid to really glop it on.

Ghostt · April 19th, 2015, 11:04 AM

@MrAtom sigpics?

MrAtom · April 19th, 2015, 11:31 AM

Hahaha I like it

April 18th, 2015, 03:11 PM	#1
DanteCoal ninjette.org member Name: Dante Location: Salem, OR Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2016 Ninja 300 ABS, R.I.P 1986 Ninja EX250 Posts: 93	Speedometer / Cable issue? I've got an '86 Ninja 250. Was on a long ride. While ago,and my speedo and tach needles started bouncing all crazy like, then going steady again for a while, bouncing, going steady for a while. Repeat that for the rest of the ride until I was just about home (about an hour of this) and suddenly my speedo just drops to 0, and my tach starts behaving. I take off the speedo cable, and its broken off down at the wheel, right where it was soldered on. The end that goes into my meter was fine. Scrapped that, figured I had a bur in the cable, got a new one. Same thing happening immediately. Got a new cable and tube, and it's still happening. Any ideas, advice, etc?

April 18th, 2015, 04:15 PM	#2
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	The speedometer is 100% mechanical, no electricity whatsoever. So if it's behaving poorly, you need to check a few things. First make sure the speedometer cable is properly routed, no kinks, bends, etc, Second make sure the speedometer gear Part # 41078 in the front wheel is lube, and working, and installed properly. Third check to speedometer gauge itself, to make sure nothing is obviously wrong. As far as the tachometer goes, that's electrical, so start with the basics, like loose wires, faulty wires, connections, etc.... Especially all grounds. Are there any other issues with the bike? Any recent services done to it? Any modifications? __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

April 19th, 2015, 11:31 AM	#5
MrAtom . Name: . Location: . Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot. MOTM - July '15	Hahaha I like it
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Speedometer/Odometer Cable	kennetht	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	19	May 5th, 2014 09:55 AM
Speedometer cable help!	skilletmo	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	98	November 21st, 2012 12:05 PM
speedometer cable....	Stingray1000	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	8	October 10th, 2012 09:14 AM
Speedometer cable	kohkae	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	2	May 13th, 2012 09:57 PM
Speedometer Cable	indr	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	2	December 24th, 2010 05:02 PM

April 19th, 2015, 02:50 AM	#3
MrAtom . Name: . Location: . Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot. MOTM - July '15	This just means you need to grease the speedo cable. I had the same problem, greased the cable, it still happened, so I REALLY greased the cable and no issues. Don't be afraid to really glop it on.