Odometer Problem

[brittrunyon]

It's a 1992 R100gs and the odometer is functioning erratically. It rolls over slowly, all #'s rolling at same time, or not at all. The speedometer seems to function fine. This is my first attempt at researching the problem. Any thoughts on how difficult to repair, what needs to be replaced, etc? Thanks.

 

[airraceaddict]

It's a 1992 R100gs and the odometer is functioning erratically. It rolls over slowly, all #'s rolling at same time, or not at all. The speedometer seems to function fine. This is my first attempt at researching the problem. Any thoughts on how difficult to repair, what needs to be replaced, etc? Thanks.

I have seen articles on fixing them on a couple of different sites, for sure the Airhead website, (www.airheads.org). I am having the opposite problem....... My speedo jumps all over the place and the odometer is pretty dang accurate and solid. So, you should look at those articles. If that doesn't do it for you, when my odometer was doing what yours is doing, I sent it to Palo Alto Speedometer for repair. Not going to hurt it anymore than it is by breaking into it yourself and maybe you'll find it's something simple like a loose screw. Good luck.
BILL

 

[dduelin]

It's a 1992 R100gs and the odometer is functioning erratically. It rolls over slowly, all #'s rolling at same time, or not at all. The speedometer seems to function fine. This is my first attempt at researching the problem. Any thoughts on how difficult to repair, what needs to be replaced, etc? Thanks.

As long as the speedometer seems to work OK and the odometer quits acts up it probably is the odometer drive gear slipping on it's shaft. Mine quit working and I found this http://www.airheads.org/content/view/160/98/ over at the Airheads Beemer Club. It showed me how to fix the odometer with a bit of J B Weld at the right place. I took a nail file to the shaft and gear face to rough up the surfaces before gluing it. The repair has held so far but I must have left some debris on the shaft or in the gear cluster because once in a while a tens digit change will hang up and move a hundred digit with it. If it gets worse than happening now and then or hangs up completely I'll take it apart again. I fixed mine about 2000 miles ago.

 

[guenner]

Hapened on my '88 R100GS at 40k miles. The digit wheels (plastic) were pressed onto a soft iron shaft and became loose. I opened the speedo multiple times and tried to fix it but to no helas. Finally bought a new one and it is working just fine at 70k miles.

/Guenther

 

[Yarddog]

Had mine rebuilt at North Hollywood Speedometer and a new cable and end of problems... just get er done and be done with it...end of story...quit fishing around for an easy fix...it doesn't exist

 

[osbornk]

I had mine repaired here http://www.speedometer.com/ . Palo Alto speedometer repair was suggested but their repair cost was more than a new one at BMW of Chicago. I think my repair was around $120 4 or 5 years ago and it has done fine since that time.

The suggested repair with glue only works if the shaft is slipping. If there are other problems, the shaft repair will cause other problems because jammed gears can break if the shaft can't slip.

 

[airraceaddict]

I had mine repaired here http://www.speedometer.com/ . Palo Alto speedometer repair was suggested but their repair cost was more than a new one at BMW of Chicago. I think my repair was around $120 4 or 5 years ago and it has done fine since that time.

The suggested repair with glue only works if the shaft is slipping. If there are other problems, the shaft repair will cause other problems because jammed gears can break if the shaft can't slip.

The one time I had PAS fix my speedometer, it was a flat rate of $75 and included calibration to my tire size. It was an odometer problem. It has been fine since, (5 or 6 years). So I just sent your guy a request for a quote. I'll let you know what he says. Thanks for the link.
Bill

 

[toooldtocare]

I did the repair on the Airhead website on my RS a couple years ago. So far it is still working fine. But, from your problem, I am not sure that repair will fix your odometer. Mine just starting working intermittently, first on really hot days.

 

[brittrunyon]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm working on it.

 

[535IS]

Look here at Odometer Gears.

Founder Jeff Caplan is a helluva nice guy who, like many of us, got fed up with the prices all the 'professional' odo shops charged for installing a few simple plastic gears. Unlike many of us, though, he had some plastic casting skills and he put them to work.

His products are excellent and his technical service in showing you how to install them is also great. I've installed them myself, and I'm far from a skilled mechanic. He's also a strong supporter of the BMW car community (an Oktoberfest sponsor) and, if we steer enough bike business his way, I'm sure he'd be onboard for us, as well.