Dancing Speedometer.

[Manowar1313]

Hey gang,
I've still got my 2001 Gs500 with 38k on the od. Last summer the speedometer was acting up. Instead of reading a single number it fluctuates and dances arounds. I'm guessing a tension spring maybe broken.  If I hold stead throttle lets say 50 mph it'll read 45-55 and eventually show 50 mph until i speed up/down then it dances all over again. I think it's the speedo but before I go wasting money on parts I thought I'd ask buddas opinion. Could it be something else and if so what?

[mr72]

Most likely the cable is binding. IDK about the GS in particular but I assume it's like other motorcycles, you can likely just pull the cable out of the housing from the speedo end, liberally coat it in marine grade bearing grease, then put it back in, that'll likely cure the bouncing speedo.

Of course you could just replace the cable, but lube the new one this way before installation to prevent this issue down the road.

Given the low cost of the part, I wouldn't completely remove the entire cable and housing together without having a new one to put on. So I'd either lube it without removing the housing, or replace the whole cable with a fresh new one with an additional dollop of grease.

[Bluesmudge]

Replace the speedometer cable, they are cheap. By the time you have both end disconnected to lubricate it you might as well replace it.

Had this issue on my '84 XL600R and replacing the cable fixed the problem. The cable is kind of a spring like material and so when it binds up at all it will quickly spring back and forth causing the speedometer needle to bounce.

[Manowar1313]

Most likely the cable is binding.

This was it. The brake cable was pulling it tight against the housing behind the windshield. It's working correctly now.

[The Buddha]

Most likely the cable is binding.

This was it. The brake cable was pulling it tight against the housing behind the windshield. It's working correctly now.

This is fantastic. Absolutely fan-effing-tastic. Cos GS500 got no brake cable.

Cool.
Buddha.

[sledge]

 

[gruntle]

See, here's the thing, the GS500 absolutely can dance (on a sixpence if desired) - unlike sundry overweight unmentionable twins, so 'taint no surprise that the speedo wants to join in...