Speedo question

[RTandGS]

On my 2002 1150GS the speedo stopped working while on a ride. I took off the cable at the base and spun the tire and the small arm that twists the cable did spin but not fast. It was more like a quarter turn at a time. Is this correct? I'm wondering what broke and started there.
Thanks.

 

[bc1100s]

Answer to your question: Maybe

Questions you need to answer....
1. You say "a quarter turn at a time". I'm not sure what you mean by that. How many drive rotations per rotation of the wheel? Is it consistent? Same forward and back?
2. When you turn the cable manually, does the speedo needle move?
3. Did you disconnect the cable from the drive AND the speedo to ensure the cable is in one piece?

 

[gsaddict]

Did you recently have the wheel off?
If so, you may have squashed the drive ring (10) if not properly aligned to the speedo drive hub (12) when reassembled.
The ring can be bent back if you lift the seal (11) and remove it.

This is a common cause of reported speedo failures.

 

[RTandGS]

Did you recently have the wheel off?


Yes, but the speedo worked for a few long rides after I changed the front tire so would the drive ring failure ben immediate or could that happen over time?

 

[RTandGS]

Answer to your question: Maybe

Questions you need to answer....
1. You say "a quarter turn at a time". I'm not sure what you mean by that. How many drive rotations per rotation of the wheel? Is it consistent? Same forward and back?
2. When you turn the cable manually, does the speedo needle move?
3. Did you disconnect the cable from the drive AND the speedo to ensure the cable is in one piece?

I did none of the above. Thanks for those diagnostic steps. I will try them out and get back to you. And I will count rotations. Thank you!

 

[PGlaves]

Did you recently have the wheel off?


Yes, but the speedo worked for a few long rides after I changed the front tire so would the drive ring failure ben immediate or could that happen over time?

I have seen a case where the speedo connection failed three or four hundred miles after the wheel was installed. The drive went together "tip to tip" and it took that long for it to completely bend and disconnect. This is a very common failure.

 

[gsaddict]

Did you recently have the wheel off?


Yes, but the speedo worked for a few long rides after I changed the front tire so would the drive ring failure ben immediate or could that happen over time?

See Paul's answer

 

[bc1100s]

Perhaps a re and re is in order?