79' R65 - Odometer

[Weshawk]

It has been a while since I've log on to this site.  It is nice to have somewhere to turn.

Anyway, I'm having trouble w/ my odometer.  I pulled the cable and determined that it is moving when the bike moves.  When I take it out and put it back in, it does work for about 20 miles or so and then will cut out.

This problem really bites, for my bike has low miles and I wanted to keep accurate track just in case I ever decide to sell it.  Plus, it really just bugs me not to see it working and keeping track of how many miles I have gone for gas purposes.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance...

John

[MrRiden]

Thats a bizarre one! why not undo the cable from the speedo and tie it off somewhere you can see the little spinny thingie. Maybe even attach a little paper clip to the end and go ride around. If the cable keeps spinning all the while you'll know to have a look at the speedo. At least thats my summation using the WAG method.
rich

[Weshawk]

Funny...  I actually did something similar to what you are saying and did determine that it was spinning.  I'm sure folks seeing me mess aroudn w/ it while riding thought I was a nut.

I'm thinking that since the thing will work briefly when I hook the cable back up that one of the gears within broke off.  If this is the case, I'm not sure what to do.  I hate to replace the whole thing.

Thanks for your reply.

[Chris_in_BC]

My guess is you have the common problem of a slipping gear in the odometer. it is the most common failure for odometer. It could be just starting to slip or move which is giving you the erratic results.

Read all about it here. It isn't that hard to fix, even the later R65's with the crimped bezels on the speedos.

http://www.airheads.org/content/view/160/98/

[Chris_in_BC]

Anyway, I'm having trouble w/ my odometer.  I pulled the cable and determined that it is moving when the bike moves.  When I take it out and put it back in, it does work for about 20 miles or so and then will cut out.

John,
You talk about your odometer, but is the speedometer needle working? There are two separate functions going on in the speedo, If you are saying the whole thing quits afer 20 miles, this is a different problem to having the odometer stop after 20 miles but the speedometer needle is still telling you speed.
If they both stop, but the cable is still twizzling, then I would say it is the adjustment of the worm gear on the side of the mechanism. (picture 6 in the link I gave you on my other reply)

[Weshawk]

Hello Again...  Thanks for the response, Chris.  The speedometer is working fine, so it sounds like the link you sent me is the direction to go.  I'll read over tonight on the way home from work to see if it is a job I can do.  It doesn't look that complicated.

Regards and thanks for your input.  Very helpful and has given me hope.

[Chris_in_BC]

The hardest job on the R65 speedo is getting the bezel off. But a sharp screwdriver worked slowly around the perimeter will lever up the edge enough to remove it. Just work carefully and try to avoid stabbing yourself with the screwdriver.  

Then you just follow the link given above. Once you put the bezel back on and push the edges over, you will want to wrap some black electrical tape around the join to give some waterproofing. Once back in the rubber instrument pod, you won't be able to tell.

Sue on this site did hers a few years ago with good success.

One extra tip. When you get to the point of removing the speedometer needle from the face. First, carefully lift the end of the needle over the zero stop pin. Let the needle settle and see where the true resting point is. Put a felt tip mark on the back of the magnetic cup on the back and the base. Just so you know exactly where to push the needle on during reassembly.

[raygun]

I preformed the repair a couple of weeks ago. I used a cordless drill and a stopwatch to calibrate the speedometer, worked well. Then a day or so ago the odometer quit again. I believe the shaft must have came loose from the J-B weld. I have not taken it apart again yet though to see. The speedo works but odo does'nt. I'd recommend that you use a rattail file and rough up the shaft a little before applying the J-B weld. Also put a bead of silicone aound the bezel ring where you crimp it back.

[Weshawk]

Thanks again to everyone's response...  All very helpful tips.  I'm going to attempt to do the job this weekend.  My 5 year old daughter is having her Pink Poodle Themed party Saturday, so we'll see if I will have time to sneak away afterwards.

Regards...