Speedo Cable Question

Tornado · Apr 12, 2022

Just received a new Speedo cable (an Andover packaged part from a local supplier). The inner wound-wire seems somewhat stiff (but quite smooth) to rotated by fingers in the outer sleeve. As if some heavy grease has been used. Is this just for storage/corrosion prevention and needs to be cleaned/re-lubed with oil or lighter grease or just use it as is?

Mart UK · Apr 12, 2022

I just fitted a tacho cable from Andover Norton. It came with a slip of paper in the bag, headed "speedo and tacho cables". It advised, the cables are not lubricated, remove and grease before use.

Desmopower · Apr 12, 2022

Just done mine, pulled out the inner cable and gave it a good light coat of silicone grease - needle on the speedo no longer has any flicker.

concours · Apr 12, 2022

Molebdynem disulfide grease, my favorite.

RoadScholar · Apr 12, 2022

One of my customers also purchased a speedo cable from A/N, read the same note about lubrication, but couldn't the inner drive cable to come out of the sheath. He was close to my shop so I invited him to bring it in.

I figured that he may be trying to pull it out from the speedo drive end, not noticing the crimped on collar that is use to set the length of drive cable that limits the amount inner cable allowed to inter the speedo.

I couldn't get it to separate either and didn't want to blunt an exchange with A/N. I have been working on Brit bikes for over 50 years, what 'am I doing wrong?

Best.

Mart UK · Apr 13, 2022

Have you tried it from the speedo end?

RoadScholar · Apr 13, 2022

Mart UK said:
Have you tried it from the speedo end?

The speedo end is the only way you can remove the inner cable do to the crimped collar.

Best

Tornado · Apr 13, 2022

Just a followup, my new cable was pre-greased, but with some stiff type. I went ahead and thoroughly cleaned with brake parts cleaner, re-coated with white lithium spray grease. Amazing different of freedom to turn by fingers, even if partially coiled. Also found the inner will just slide out by gravity alone it I hold it vertical. Was not doing than prior.
Hoping this will finally solve my bouncing needle. Previous cable flange had become un-crimped at the clock end from the outer sleeve and basically slide off a little, making less of the inner insert into clock. I'd attempted to reposition and squeeze it to hold, but not convinced it was right. Now to test ride.

Mart UK · Apr 13, 2022

RoadScholar said:
The speedo end is the only way you can remove the inner cable do to the crimped collar.

Best

Yep, mine just slid out. Maybe damaged / wrong part.

Tornado · Apr 14, 2022

Tornado said:
Just a followup, my new cable was pre-greased, but with some stiff type. I went ahead and thoroughly cleaned with brake parts cleaner, re-coated with white lithium spray grease. Amazing different of freedom to turn by fingers, even if partially coiled. Also found the inner will just slide out by gravity alone it I hold it vertical. Was not doing than prior.
Hoping this will finally solve my bouncing needle. Previous cable flange had become un-crimped at the clock end from the outer sleeve and basically slide off a little, making less of the inner insert into clock. I'd attempted to reposition and squeeze it to hold, but not convinced it was right. Now to test ride.

Welp new cable took the +/-10mph oscillation out, infact it took all needle movement out entirely. Bike only goes 10mph now, all gears, all rpms ;-(

Need to do some checking, it was fit with the brass ferrule at the clock end and it showed 0.5" of inner end protruding past the sleeve into clock. I did fit drive end first and confirmed wheel rotation turned the inner cable at clock end. So i'm suspecting my clock has too deep a recess or perhaps its been wallowed out. Will try a power drill on drive end.

Chuck_Wagon · Apr 14, 2022

My understanding for the speedo cable is that if you slide the knurled nut that attaches to the clock all the way up, the cable end should be about flush with the top of the nut. If it’s not, the cable has not been inserted far enough into the wheel speedo gearbox.
I also do not use any grease on the clock end of the cable for about 12” for fear of getting grease inside the clock and maybe damaging it.

RoadScholar · Jun 16, 2022

I meant to follow up earlier.

I always pull the inner so that, new or used, I can clean and lubricate. The speedo cable I originally posted about came out of an AN bag. and wouldn't separate. I tried two different ways to facilitate separate inner from outer, 1) a somewhat aggressive pull from the drive end, 2) spin it with a variable speed electric drill with a degree push/pull, but no separation.

To cut to the chase: I discovered that both ends of the inner ends have crimped collars. I had another cable, same issue. Did AN bag up a bunch of the wrong cables? are these cables meant for a different marque/model ?

Anyone know what going on?

Best.

YING · Jun 17, 2022

Tornado said:
Welp new cable took the +/-10mph oscillation out, infact it took all needle movement out entirely. Bike only goes 10mph now, all gears, all rpms ;-(

Need to do some checking, it was fit with the brass ferrule at the clock end and it showed 0.5" of inner end protruding past the sleeve into clock. I did fit drive end first and confirmed wheel rotation turned the inner cable at clock end. So i'm suspecting my clock has too deep a recess or perhaps its been wallowed out. Will try a power drill on drive end.

Remember to spin your drill counter clockwise if you are connected to the speedo.

Dan1950 · Jun 17, 2022

Tornado said:
Welp new cable took the +/-10mph oscillation out, infact it took all needle movement out entirely. Bike only goes 10mph now, all gears, all rpms ;-(

Need to do some checking, it was fit with the brass ferrule at the clock end and it showed 0.5" of inner end protruding past the sleeve into clock. I did fit drive end first and confirmed wheel rotation turned the inner cable at clock end. So i'm suspecting my clock has too deep a recess or perhaps its been wallowed out. Will try a power drill on drive end.

I had a similar result. The cable was not entering the speedometer drive far enough causing intermittent engagement. I found a small nylon spacer about 3/16' long in my R/C airplane stuff. Placed the spacer on the inner cable and problem solved.

RoadScholar · Jun 20, 2022

The question stands: How do you, can you separate a speedo cable that has spacers/collets crimped to both ends?

OR

Do you just leave it and focus on something else?

Best.

EstuaryBoy · Jun 21, 2022

RoadScholar said:
The question stands: How do you, can you separate a speedo cable that has spacers/collets crimped to both ends?

OR

Do you just leave it and focus on something else?

Best.

Last speedo cable for my Mk3 from AN, I queried re: Lubrication prior to use. Their reply was it wasn't necessary...

RoadScholar · Jun 21, 2022

EstuaryBoy said:
Last speedo cable for my Mk3 from AN, I queried re: Lubrication prior to use. Their reply was it wasn't necessary...

Thanks for providing me with what I have been skating around, but couldn't admit to myself, it is the only conclusion one could come to. For me, in any event, maintenance is part of a Zen like experience.

Best.

Speedo Cable Question

Tornado

Mart UK

Desmopower

concours

RoadScholar

Mart UK

RoadScholar

Tornado

Mart UK

Tornado

Chuck_Wagon

RoadScholar

YING

Pittsboro,NC

Dan1950

1974 MK II Roadster

RoadScholar

EstuaryBoy

RoadScholar

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