ZN1100 speedometer noise problem

I bought a used, low mile, gage cluster to put on my ZN project. First test ride when I finally got the bike running, it hummed and growled. I pulled the cable out of the housing, cleaned both and reassembled with fresh lube. Thought it was better, then the speedo quit, the cable broke . Bought a new, nos, cable. Cleaned the old grease out, lubed it up and reassembled. Still growls and the needle jumps around. When I spin the speedo with a drill and a piece from the old cable, the noise is inside the housing. I read a caution note in the OEM manals that says if the gage cluster is dismounted, it has to be kept in the upright position as on the bike or it will malfunction ? I'm sure between dismantling and shipping it's been turned every which way but loose. Does anyone still work on mechanical speedometers ?

Z Resto would be the first choice but I heard on this forum they are not doing any new work as the owner is having personal issues. A quick search brought up this company

www.guagerepairs.com/

Please vet them I don’t know anything about them but their website is nice

Business is in England from the contact info on the website.

Solved my noisey speedometer problem. The gage cluster is very simple to disassemble, the speedo head is held in place with 2 screws and slips out of the assembly. The only issue was the old grease inside the cable input housing that a little gentle flushing with some brake clean and fresh lube fixed. I'm still not sure what the problem might be from tipping or turning the cluster over, it's pretty much coventional magnetic speedo drive with a couple worm gears to drive the odometer. Speedometer needle runs up smooth and fast untill I run out of nerve........

Some speedos have a fluid filled damper, so it may be that the fluid could leak out if the meters aren't stored properly. this is just a guess. Some gauge restorers refill the fluid using a medical syringe.

Had some time in the shop today, took some pics of the ZN gage cluster disassembly. Really simple compared to my '81 650. 3 screws to separate the front and back plastic, 2 8mm nuts to remove the bracket. 2 More screw into back of the speedometer head. No wires attach to the head internally, it just slips out the front. Magnetic coupling to drive the needle, spiral wound spring to dampen the needle and maybe provide some means of calibration. Washed out the old grease from the cable input housing, a little fresh lube and it works just fine.

55 :laugh: