speedometer cable

[Bill Conquest]

I'm planning to replace the speedo cable  boot due to water in the gearbox.. have never removed the cable before & am wondering how to do it - any advice? It's a '79 r65.
Thanks in advance, Bill Conquest

[Barry]

Bill

The cable fitting at the gearbox end has a groove in the boss that fits into the top of the gearbox casting. This groove is engaged by the earth bolt. You know the one with the little breather hole in it. Just remove that bolt and the cable will pull out.

[montmil]

Bill

The cable fitting at the gearbox end has a groove in the boss that fits into the top of the gearbox casting. This groove is engaged by the earth bolt. You know the one with the little breather hole in it. Just remove that bolt and the cable will pull out.

Now, Barry... Do be a good chap and remind ol' Billy of the need to confirm the breather bolt's passage is clear prior to refit and the necessity to gently snug up the breather bolt less the trans case threads become stripped. [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Monte

[Barry]

Quite correct Monte.

I only covered getting the speedo cable out. Getting it safely back in again is just as important.

And to add some more tips. There are various suggestions to help ensure no water gets past that boot like: filling the new rubber boot with grease, using a dab of silicone sealant around the cable, adding a small zip tie to the top of the boot or using a short length of heat shrink sleeving over the top section of the boot.

I didn't feel the need to do any of those things with a brand new boot but I can see the benefits when applied to an old stretched boot.

On the other hand I do have a thing about heat shrink sleeving. A wonderfully neat solution to many problems especially the type with the adhesive on the inside.

[Bob_Roller]

I replace the rubber boot on the cable very three years, regardless  how good it looks .

I also don't wash the bike very often with living in a desert, the bike rarely gets ridden or left in the rain .

If you have a problem finding the part number for the rubber boot, it can only be found in the R100 part catalog .

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0437&mospid=51647&btnr=62_0220&hg=62&fg=05

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Boot?  What boot?
Welcome to the land of electronic speedometers!



My speedo got busted up pretty badly, so I decided not to replace it, since I was using my GPSr most of the time, anyway.  No more total odometer, though.  But nowadays, the only thing left of the original mileage is the frame, gas tank, drive shaft, rear-end and wheels.

[Bill Conquest]

I see the bolt holding the negative battery lead at the casing next to the speedo junction, but I don't see a breather hole in the bolt or elsewhere. If I remove that bolt, the cable will pull out? I have a new boot on the way from Chicago BMW. Where would the breather hole be?
Thanks everyone for all the input!
bill conquest

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

When you remove the bolt, the cable can be pulled out.

The breather hole is drilled through the center of that bolt.  If you have an original bolt, it will be easy to see with it in your hand.

[Bob_Roller]

Don't be too surprised if the bolt you have doesn't have the hole .

Both LS's I recently got, had solid bolts holding the ground or negative cable to the transmission .

[Justin B.]

I make these if you need a vented one...

[nothing]

If you have a solid bolt in there now I'd highly recommend buying one from Justin - the tranny needs venting or you risk blowing out seals.

[Bill Conquest]

My bolt does not have a vent hole in it...I think I need one from you, Justin. Let me know how to get one!
Thanks, bill conquest

[jgp1854]

Justin

How do I acquire the vented bolt from you.
jgpatrick@charter.net
jgp

[Adrian]

Hey Rob - that insert to seal off the hole for the cable (reply #5 photo) did you make that or is it something that can be bought. What's holding it in? Thanks ....

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Hey Rob - that insert to seal off the hole for the cable (reply #5 photo) did you make that or is it something that can be bought. What's holding it in? Thanks ....

I had it made by a good friend in San Francisco who is a retired machinist.  Bob Grauer.

It is made to resemble the black plastic insert that centers the speedometer cable.
The ground wire fastener holds it in place.



If you try to have one made, just provide them with the black plastic insert.  That will give them the dimensions they need.

I think Monte just used a rubber plug from the hardware store for his.