Speedo not working

L

leodr

XS650 Enthusiast
Messages
90
Reaction score
21
Points
8
Location
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Today I noticed my speedo is not working. I have a 1982 xs650 heritage special. What do I need to check on to see why it is not working. Is it controlled electrically?? I know there is a cable running to the front wheel from the back of the speedo. Could this be the problem... bad cable or connection??
/Leo
 
Di connect the cable from either top or bottom end and remove the inner cable and check to see if it is broken, should be a square end on each end ......A loose connection will also cause it not to work but that would mean you have had it off lately
 
650Skull said:
Di connect the cable from either top or bottom end and remove the inner cable and check to see if it is broken, should be a square end on each end ......A loose connection will also cause it not to work but that would mean you have had it off lately
Click to expand...
Thanks I will remove cable to see what problem is. Let you know. / Leo
 
I might put the bike up on the center stand, use a jack to lift the front wheel of the ground. Unhook the cable from the speedo. Spin the wheel. Does the cable turn? If so the cable is ok. If not, unhook it from the speedo drive at the wheel. Put a match stick into the speedo drive. Spin the wheel. Does the match stick spin?
A good idea to remove the core from the housing. Clean the core and the housing. Any good spray cleaner, carb or brake, engine degreaser sprayed through the housing.
Relube the core with grease. The whole length but about 4 inches at the top. Don't want grease migrating up into the speedo.
Leo
 
XSLeo said:
I might put the bike up on the center stand, use a jack to lift the front wheel of the ground. Unhook the cable from the speedo. Spin the wheel. Does the cable turn? If so the cable is ok. If not, unhook it from the speedo drive at the wheel. Put a match stick into the speedo drive. Spin the wheel. Does the match stick spin?
A good idea to remove the core from the housing. Clean the core and the housing. Any good spray cleaner, carb or brake, engine degreaser sprayed through the housing.
Relube the core with grease. The whole length but about 4 inches at the top. Don't want grease migrating up into the speedo.
Leo
Click to expand...
thanks,
I will do that and get back to you.
You seem to know a lot about xs650, do you know where the cancelling unit is... it has 5 wires going to it... I am in the middle of converting my by to electronic flash so I can use LED signal lights and try to also get cancelling system to work, or should I give up.. I linkrd some sites on my other postings Re: using a pc relay or 12 vdc automotive 5 pin relay spdt bosch type ... do you think this will work??
Thanks
/Leo?
.elltrl
 
XSLeo said:
I might put the bike up on the center stand, use a jack to lift the front wheel of the ground. Unhook the cable from the speedo. Spin the wheel. Does the cable turn? If so the cable is ok. If not, unhook it from the speedo drive at the wheel. Put a match stick into the speedo drive. Spin the wheel. Does the match stick spin?
A good idea to remove the core from the housing. Clean the core and the housing. Any good spray cleaner, carb or brake, engine degreaser sprayed through the housing.
Relube the core with grease. The whole length but about 4 inches at the top. Don't want grease migrating up into the speedo.
Leo
Click to expand...
thanks,
I will do that and get back to you.
You seem to know a lot about xs650, do you know where the cancelling unit is... it has 5 wires going to it... I am in the middle of converting my by to electronic flash so I can use LED signal lights and try to also get cancelling system to work, or should I give up.. I linkrd some sites on my other postings Re: using a pc relay or 12 vdc automotive 5 pin relay spdt bosch type ... do you think this will work??
Thanks
/Leo?
.elltrl
 
OK. I unconnected my cables at both ends and there is no wire. I think someone must have disconnected and taken it. Is this possible that someone could do this while my bike was in a parking lot?
What do I do now. Need to get cable. Where to get it? Do I need to order one from Yamaha??? Please anyone
 
Yes, I guess it's possible someone stole your inner cable. MikesXS is probably your best bet for a replacement.
 
Google xs650 speedometer cable. You'll get plenty of hits, new ones aren't that expensive. Check the Classifieds on the forum also, somebody must have one for sale, or you post a wanted in the classifieds.
 
I dont want to laugh at your misfortune, but the fact that someone was so desperate for a speedometer cable that he took yours and left the casing behind is kinda funny.
 
The self canceler, if in proper working order is ok, but most are not and shut the turns off at inopportune times. This can lead to other drivers not knowing what you intend to do and might get you hurt.
Just delete it. It is up under the tank. Just below the coil.
Leo
 
XSLeo said:
The self canceler, if in proper working order is ok, but most are not and shut the turns off at inopportune times. This can lead to other drivers not knowing what you intend to do and might get you hurt.
Just delete it. It is up under the tank. Just below the coil.
Leo
Click to expand...
I do not know where and how this self canceller is on my bike 1982 heritage special... under tank where flasher is located. Can you describe it or send picture? Do I have to remove it if I use a 2 prong electric flasher?
 
"Today I noticed my speedometer is not working." You mean it WAS working and quit, or today is the first time you happened to look at it while the bike was moving? There are three wire electronic (LED compatible) flashers, no need to mess with the circuit, just plug and play.
Guys pull and toss bad cables because they tend to make the speedo jump around like a guy with ants in his pants. Can't remember how many old beater cars I have had with the wind up and "sproonge" speedometer feature.
 
I am thinking the speedo cable probably broke off inside ( not likely that it was stolen ).

My self canceling turn signal doesn't work either, but most bikes that I owned never had them anyway. I was suprized to find that my '78 came with them.
 
Two components to the self cancel, the "distance traveled" detector on the back of the speedo head and the module under the tank. I must be lucky because most of the XS650 self cancelers I have had still worked, including the one on the 79 I am riding now. I like to gauge when to tun on the signal so it self cancels just as I leave the corner.
I might be easily amused.....
 
On the stock flasher there are three prongs. One goes to the brown wire to get power, one goes to the brown/white wire to send power to the turn switch. The third wire is a yellow/green wire, it goes to the self canceler under the tank. Just using a two prong flasher bypasses the self canceler. You can leave it on the bike or remove it. Up to you.
When you remove it there are no jumper wires needed just unplug it. You can wrap the plug with tape to weatherproof it, if you want.
Leo
 
Same speedo issue. On mikes and a lot of the pictures of new speedos/tachs show them with a cable. Does anyone know if they come with a cable? If so that's probably a better investment since I want to replace my gauges anyways.
 
Speedo cable: replace the whole thing and lube it. Check that the drive on the front wheel works and that the speedo head ain't partially seized, there should be next to no resistance when you shove a kitchen matchstick up it and twirl.
Self canceller: only works in conjunction with the stock flasher.
Note: stock flasher needs 54Watts (2 x 27W bulbs) to flash.
LED signals: IMHO for the limited time that they are using power the saving is not worth the hassle.
 
You can also buy a speedo repair kit at Advance auto and other auto supply stores. It's a inner cable that you cut to length. Less than $10.
 

Similar threads

M
Front wheel hub direction
2
Replies
23
Views
869
XSTime
XSTime
toglhot
Centrestand build.
Replies
1
Views
435
TwoManyXS1Bs
TwoManyXS1Bs
Shelby
Memory Lane
3 4 5
Replies
88
Views
3K
Shelby
Shelby
G
Yamaha instrument compatibility ?
Replies
1
Views
483
5twins
5twins
NerdyNerd
1982 XS650 HERITAGE SPECIAL
Replies
3
Views
765
NerdyNerd
NerdyNerd
Back
Top