Speedometer dead, clacking noises at wheel By rosiemoto (Read 723 times)

[rosiemoto]

I was riding today and suddenly my speedometer went from working fine to nothing. I just had it replaced a year ago. My original one lasted almost 5 years.. not sure what's going on. I pulled over and took it apart at the wheel, and I see the little needle on the inside spin as I spin the wheel, so I guess that part's working. (Although...just in case it's related/important: if I start to spin the wheel by hand in the other direction, it takes a bit before the needle reacts and spins. After it reacts, if I stop then start spinning the wheel again, it reacts instantly. It does this in both directions.)

So I put the wheel side back together and I hear a plastic-y clack clack clack, like the sound of plastic slipping off plastic, which goes faster as I spin the wheel faster. I opened up the cluster area to see if the cable spins up there and it has zero movement. Also if I use my fingers to spin the speedometer cable from the cluster side, it doesn't spin.. or I feel like I'm forcing it to turn because it wants to turn back. It feels like it's stuck in there. This is new territory for me so not sure if I need a new cable, or does it just need lubed, or? 

All I've got for lubricant is "MasterPro Hi-Temp Disc Brake Wheel Bearing Grease"

Short video of the problem:

[Alleyoop]

Well if you turn one end and it does not turn the other end then the cable is broke just pull it all out.
Alleyoop

[rosiemoto]

Thanks. When I order a new one do I need to worry about lubricating it or can I just put it in as is (I saw people on YouTube going nuts cleaning and lubing theirs)? If I do need to lube, will spreading hi-temp bearing grease on it be okay? I'm a total newbie on lube stuff.

I noticed while looking for a new one that there's different sizes... how do I figure out the size to get? Do you just measure the tube that the cable is in?

[cyborg]

I use chain lube for speedo cables,,and yes you just measure the original cable and order one of the same size,,should check the ends to make sure they are the same also

[Alleyoop]

Meant to ask you Rosie, what camera do you have that you use to video, it has good video and good sound pick up and where do you have it mounted.
TANKS IN ADVANCE
Alleyoop

[rosiemoto]

Thanks. Seems like a simple repair!

Alleyoop, I switch between 2 devices for cameras, depending what I'm doing. The video on this thread I just used the Samsung Galaxy S3 phone (without the phone service) in my hand. It has a focusing lens and similar quality to our $200 camcorder, but can be shaky. While I ride I record with SJCAM SJ4000 mounted to my helmet (chin mount) and an external audio recorder with lav mic going up into my helmet near my mouth. Lately I've been mounting an external battery to my helmet and running the camera to it for many hours of battery life. I'm supposed to be making a video of my setup... so if you watch my YouTube (RosieMoto), stay tuned for that

[Alleyoop]

Neat this one? Does it come with the chin strap or where can I get one?
Alleyoop

www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1081151-REG/sjcam_sj4000wfs_sj4000_silver_with_wi_fi.html/prm/alsVwDtl

[rosiemoto]

Sorry by chin mount I meant chin area of my helmet... so it's attached to a GoPro mount at chin area. Here's some pictures of my current setup. And yes that looks to be a genuine version of it. There's many fakes on Amazon and eBay so the company started printing SJCAM on the cameras. That's the WiFi version so you could also connect it wirelessly to your phone/tablet/pc to check your camera angle, remotely start recording, etc. You should look up "techmoan" on YouTube; he has some really good reviews of this camera.


 

  If you look close you can see the lav mic through my visor, on the far side. That's where the wire is coming from and going to the sound recorder next to the helmet.

[Alleyoop]

Cool thanks, you got that thing going on top of the helmet to pick up sound, bet you get a lot of looks

Reason I asked is I have about 4 different cameras that you strap on the SIDE of the helmet and I wear a 3/4 not a full face helmet and makes it hard to get the instrument panel in while riding. This camera has a wide angle view and will be much better mounted on the top front and angled down a little.
Thanks
Alleyoop

[rosiemoto]

I know what you mean. But I think at the top of the helmet it might be hard to find an angle that shows the road and the gauges and the gauges will look far away due to the wide angle lens. Have you looked into chest mounts? You can hook them up to your body with them and it might give you the angle you're looking for.

Here's an example of chest mount view:

[Alleyoop]

Ah, your right I just ordered the damn thing and a sd card I will go back and get the chest mount strap. Thanks a bunch Rosie.
Alleyoop

[rosiemoto]

SJ4000 comes with a chest strap, but if your current cameras are compatible with GoPro mounts you can just use what you've got and get a chest strap.

It looks something like this: www.apexbase.com/image/cache/data/products/333/699edb8db5bf39eec9a651a71fbc15ad_19902-500x500.jpg

[damin69]

For me I chose to go with the camera mounted on the side of my helmet. Watched alot of different videos and mounting options. It allows a little bit of the helmet to be seen so helps reduce visual shake.

here is some video off of my Gopro.

[jaxrhapsody]

Same thing happened to me a few months back- I thought the scooter was about to die, the needle just dropped. I'm thinking about getting a new handlebar piece, so I'm not worrying about it, until then.