Speedo repair?

[NC Steve]

Outside of Palo Alto and Bobs, both big $$$, can anyone recommend a reasonable source for speedometer repair? My '84 R65's gauge swings thru about a 30 mph range and the tripmeter's stuck, although amazingly the odometer works fine. I've been running with traffic and using the tach, but feel like I should be able to honestly answer the question, "...do you have any idea how fast..."

Any chance I could merely have a cable problem?
Could I get that lucky??

Thanks for any ideas.

[Chris_in_BC]

You probably have more of a progblem than just a cable.

But... if you get Palo Alto to fix, part of their warranty is that you replace speedo cable (inner and outer) , so it might be worth trying it up front.

Personally, I had Palo Alto re do my G/S 80 speedo for the big bucks, changed the cable and it still reads 20-30 km over.

I mounted a cheap GPS.. gives me dead accurate speed.... altitude too  

chris

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I like my GPS solution to the speedometer, but that is because I already had one.

The best, straight up solution is to replace it with a bicycle computer.  It can be a bit of a pain to set up, but thousands have done it, and they barely cost $20.

The other solution is to open it up yourself (with online help) and fix it, so it at least does not sway.
These speedo cases are not maintenance friendly.  You have to pry the metal ring around the circumference of the bezel to remove the glass to access the insides.  

I think new speedos are available, or even a used one.

[msbuck]

I have the same problem with mine.  It showed up on a trip out west, so the first thing I did was change out the cable.  No diffference.   We did some research and my hubby took the speedo apart and lubricated some bits.  It's much better, but still wanders about 5 mph.  I can live with that.  I'll check on it and update you on the procedure when I get home after work.

I did replace my original speedo with a new one from BMW a few years back.  I found it was more cost effective than sending it out for repair.  Although I do get an employee discount which helps greatly!  

[NC Steve]

I appreciate any tips you might have to share. 5mph sounds totally livable to me!

BMW wants $346 retail for a new speedo, and Chicago BMW ( http://www.chicagobmwmotorcycles.com ), home of the the cheapest new parts I've found, will let one go for $276, still a big ol' chunk of change. Plus, I'd just like to keep my original. if feasible.
Thanks again.

Steve

[Bob_Roller]

If you feel adventurous, type in snowbum in your search window and you will find a site about BMW airhead maintenance, that will guide you through overhauling your speedometer. But remember that parts are not available from BMW, if you break something you're in deep trouble, unless you have a 'donor' speedo to rob parts from.

[msbuck]

We did have my old speedo to experiment on, so we tried that before tackling the one on the bike.  
I think you can do this without taking the speedometer off the bike.

[size=14]1.This is the back of the speedo.
 
2. Look for the small screw right in the middle - where the small circle meets the gear bracket. Unscrew this and remove.

3. Pull gear out of bracket.

4. Lubricate the gear.  I think we used vasoline - or some lightweight grease.

5. Put back together and hope it's better![/size]

You can inspect the gear while it's out.  If it's completely worn out that might be your problem.  Don't know if you can just buy a new gear.  We also found this site... http://www.speedometer.com/  
Don't have any experience with these guys, but they did answer our email with helpful info.
Good Luck!

[NC Steve]

Wow, much thanks, Ms. B!
I'll definitely give this a try, once it's too cold to ride, that is.
And, lacking success, I might as well get your speedo guy to give his input and/or do the repair work: I'd rather use the "little guys" anyway, Bob and Palo are rich enough!

Thanks again.

[Justin B.]

Aïda,

We found the gear assembly on our '80 speedo was the culprit.  The little plast bushings had frozen to the shaft and had worn into the nylon housing and let it wobble.  We took it apart, polished the shaft and wrapped quite a few wraps of teflon tape around the little bushings to hold them in the housing.  After doing this it worked very smoothly.

Steve, Dang!  A year ago Chicago's price on a new speedo was a bit pver $180!!    I think I see BMW's way to convince us ol' Airhead Luddites into buying a new one - make the old ones too expensive to keep, while still appearing to be our friend by offering parts.  I can tell them right now, it won't work on me...