Speedo
- SWest
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23438
- Thanks: 2915
Re: Speedo
27 Apr 2015 10:33
Just took ride to the store. While I was in there, I made some more rubber washers to replace the old hard ones. The jumping slowed down even more. I suspect a lot of it is coming from the cable. I'll try Zip ties to see if it makes a difference.
Steve
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- KraZyRIDER
-
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Posts: 434
- Thanks: 44
Re: Re:Speedo
27 Apr 2015 18:04 - 27 Apr 2015 18:10missionkz wrote: One of mine is so bad that at 65-70mph, it can read anything from 58'ish to 80mph!!
...You might want to try greasing the cable, or replacing it. Very often it's the cable that's at fault. It drags, winds up and then lets it fly. Just like a wagging dog tail. Common problem back in the old days with speed-o cables in cars. Or, maybe not.
Mean Green Speed Machine!
1979 KZ 650-C3 (Cafe Project)
1982 GPz 750-R1
1981 GPz 1100-B1
2005 H-D XL1200C
2006 H-D XL1200C
1979 KZ 650-C3 (Cafe Project)
1982 GPz 750-R1
1981 GPz 1100-B1
2005 H-D XL1200C
2006 H-D XL1200C
Last edit: 27 Apr 2015 18:10 by KraZyRIDER.
The following user(s) said Thank You: SWest
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- missionkz
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- Posts: 1622
- Thanks: 184
Re: Re:Speedo
27 Apr 2015 18:44
Yes, I slid the inner cable out of it and the tach a few weeks ago and wiped it all down with clean motor oil and then regreased it... etc.
That did help a bit but I decided that after 37 years maybe new ones are in order.... just got them both installed last night but it has been 40-48 degrees and rain for a few days here.... so, no test yet.
The tach seems better now with the bike on it's center stand.... Speedo drive is on the front wheel....
That did help a bit but I decided that after 37 years maybe new ones are in order.... just got them both installed last night but it has been 40-48 degrees and rain for a few days here.... so, no test yet.
The tach seems better now with the bike on it's center stand.... Speedo drive is on the front wheel....
Bruce
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- missionkz
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- Posts: 1622
- Thanks: 184
Re: Speedo
27 Apr 2015 18:53 - 27 Apr 2015 18:54I use rubber grommets and cut the top half off to make a rubber shoulder washer that work in a similar to the stock Kawasaki grommets, that were used when new.swest wrote: Just took ride to the store. While I was in there, I made some more rubber washers to replace the old hard ones. The jumping slowed down even more. I suspect a lot of it is coming from the cable. I'll try Zip ties to see if it makes a difference.
Steve
Old ones I have are rock hard and brittle... hard to reuse,
But the cost of these things on eBay are insane!!!!
My four rubber grommets cost 80 cents to make.
Left is the homebrew, center is an actual 18 cent grommet and right is the original factory grommet from 1977.
Bruce
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado
Attachments:
Last edit: 27 Apr 2015 18:54 by missionkz.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23438
- Thanks: 2915
Re: Speedo
27 Apr 2015 21:07
Good idea. 
Steve

Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- missionkz
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- Posts: 1622
- Thanks: 184
Re: Speedo
30 Apr 2015 00:03
OK the wagging is better,
New cable, new homemade isolastic insulating rubber grommet, super whizz bang, woof woof washers and with the little bit of lube on the pivot point of the cone and a drop in the bushing under the needle.
It pulses about +or - 3mph to 4 mph now.
However, It now reads 80mph when I'm going 72mph! LOL
I'm thinking that torsion clock spring is going soft... or my head is.
Like I said, this might be the last time I pull this speedo off and pry back the F'n compression ring off the two halves!!!
I hate that SOB.
At least the glass is crystal clear and nice seeing the white again.
I'm gonna start selling extra crap on eBay and buy one of the new reproduction Speedos from Z1 Ent.....
New cable, new homemade isolastic insulating rubber grommet, super whizz bang, woof woof washers and with the little bit of lube on the pivot point of the cone and a drop in the bushing under the needle.
It pulses about +or - 3mph to 4 mph now.
However, It now reads 80mph when I'm going 72mph! LOL
I'm thinking that torsion clock spring is going soft... or my head is.
Like I said, this might be the last time I pull this speedo off and pry back the F'n compression ring off the two halves!!!
I hate that SOB.
At least the glass is crystal clear and nice seeing the white again.
I'm gonna start selling extra crap on eBay and buy one of the new reproduction Speedos from Z1 Ent.....
Bruce
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23438
- Thanks: 2915
Re: Speedo
30 Apr 2015 07:45
I'm with you but will it last 40 years. At my age, I guess it doesn't matter.
Steve
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- missionkz
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- Posts: 1622
- Thanks: 184
Re: Speedo
01 May 2015 15:41 - 01 May 2015 15:43
I'm still thinking a vibration oscillation.
I went through the speeds in 3rd, 4th 5th gear from 30 on up to 85mph, varying the engine RPM speed at the same MPH.... and what I found is, it starts wagging differently at different engine RPM too.
Actually, it isn't so much the actual MPH speed as the combination of where on the dial the speed is and what the engine RPM is.
But, holding on tight or looser to the top bezel.... quickly starts to slow the wagging down and actually stops after a few long seconds of gripping it. I mean dead stopped in many examples.
Now I wonder if the top and bottom bushings of the driven cone and the needle shaft are just worn enough that the cone is actually oscillating wobbling a very tiny bit, more or less, at various engine speeds from vibration through the bracket and isolation mounts. No normal dampening of the mounts seems to make enough difference.
In other words, bushings and pivots worn out and the inside of the cone gets closer and further from the four ends of the clover magnet during these induced oscillations, throwing the needle forward a backward a bit as the magnets impose their force to the cone in different places?
Ha... I should shut up and starting saving for a few weeks and just buy a new one.
I went through the speeds in 3rd, 4th 5th gear from 30 on up to 85mph, varying the engine RPM speed at the same MPH.... and what I found is, it starts wagging differently at different engine RPM too.
Actually, it isn't so much the actual MPH speed as the combination of where on the dial the speed is and what the engine RPM is.
But, holding on tight or looser to the top bezel.... quickly starts to slow the wagging down and actually stops after a few long seconds of gripping it. I mean dead stopped in many examples.
Now I wonder if the top and bottom bushings of the driven cone and the needle shaft are just worn enough that the cone is actually oscillating wobbling a very tiny bit, more or less, at various engine speeds from vibration through the bracket and isolation mounts. No normal dampening of the mounts seems to make enough difference.
In other words, bushings and pivots worn out and the inside of the cone gets closer and further from the four ends of the clover magnet during these induced oscillations, throwing the needle forward a backward a bit as the magnets impose their force to the cone in different places?
Ha... I should shut up and starting saving for a few weeks and just buy a new one.
Bruce
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado
Last edit: 01 May 2015 15:43 by missionkz.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23438
- Thanks: 2915
Re: Speedo
01 May 2015 16:45
It's the input shaft. I'm going to do the same.
Steve
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23438
- Thanks: 2915
Re: Speedo
16 May 2015 08:58
While installing my Speedo, I decided to glue the stop indicator lens back in and screwed up. ARGH. I still want to buy new gauges but it looks like I'll have to wait on the larger $ projects. I just bought a new tire, so I picked up a new plate for $21 and change. The Tach looks good at least.
Steve
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Attachments:
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23438
- Thanks: 2915
Re: Speedo
16 May 2015 10:08
Oh, that little lens? I just mist sprayed it with red paint. :whistle:
Steve
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- aek
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
-
Registered
- Posts: 43
- Thanks: 6
Re: Speedo
18 May 2015 22:35
I replaced the worm drive assembly on the axle and it eliminated the needle gyration completely. Oover 63000 miles and it is now completely steady. If you already did this and I missed it my apologies!
Art
Art
1980 750-4 LTD original owner
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Street Fighter LTD