T500 speedo problem

[jabcb]

Speedo needle had been jumping around quite a bit but now hardly moves at all. Installed a new cable & it didn't make any difference. Didn't lube the cable, but I pulled the inner cable partway out & could see that its nicely lubed. Now driving on the highway at something like 45 mph, the 1/10 mile dial consistently turns but the needle hardly moves at all. Most of the time the needle just shows 0 mph.

Took the speedo out. Shaking in up & down doesn't produce a rattle, but more of a sound from a little play in the mechanism. Something rattles when I shake it side to side. This probably doesn't bode well.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Should I take it apart? Does anybody fix these speedos & tachs?

[Joiseygirl]

Ah...finally a question I can answer! SuzsmokeyAllan fixes those. (I think) :lol

(Don't anyone steal my thunder, if I'm wrong simply PM him the right answer!)

[jabcb]

Thanks for the info.

Anyone know what the difference between speedo part numbers:
34100-18611-999
34100-15633

Am I correct in my conclusion that they look the same and are interchangeable?

[geck0]

Remove the cable from the front hub and spin the tire to see if the drive turns. With the tire stopped, turn the drive with a flat screwdriver. There should be a little play but you shouldent be able to turn it around. I had to remove my hub and bend the two internal tabs down to engage the drive.

[oldjapanesebikes]

Anyone know what the difference between speedo part numbers:
34100-18611-999
34100-15633

Am I correct in my conclusion that they look the same and are interchangeable?

They would be interchangeable as to fit. 34100-15633 was used on 1972 through 1975, and 34100-18611-999 was used on 1970 through 1971. They did differ in appearance - I think that the early ones had a largely chrome case with black trim, and the later one was all black with chrome trim.

[jabcb]

Thanks for your responses.
Am expecting to have the problem solved. Am getting a replacement speedo & will know in a few days.

The speedo didn't have the 3.4W instrument lightbulb. Am thinking that possibly a prior PO replaced the bulb but didn't properly seat it, and that it ended up in the speedo with the rattle coming from what's left of the bulb. Could be that a chip of glass is preventing needle motion.

[jabcb]

Speedo fixed & T500 is ready for state inspection.

But now the 71 T350 needs new pistons. Rats!

[Madbuffalo]

Glad to hear it. Did you ever find out what the problem was in your old speedo?

Sounds like you have too many bikes. I'd be happy to help you out with that.

[jabcb]

On the T500...
Bought a new cable & used speedo. Moved the bike a few feet to make sure the speedo pinion turns and mounted new cable & used speedo.
(Pinion is part at wheel that speedo inner cable connects to.)

Speedo worked for a bit & then quit working. This time checked & pinion no longer turned. Took wheel off. Axle holder bolt was torqued down but axle wasn't torqued down. Speedo driver didn't properly connect up to the hub. Tested both speedos by using a driver bit that I spun by hand -- both speedos worked fine. Correctly reassembled wheel & used original speedo. Works fine now. Went with original speedo because the milage is correct.

Brake shoes look like they might be new. Its likely that a PO replaced the shoes but didn't properly reassemble the bike. The bike wasn't titled in the PO's name when I bought it but was in the name of the PO's PO. Had asked about the brakes when I bought the bike & the PO said he hadn't pulled the wheels to check. So the reassembly problem goes back to the PO's PO, or maybe before that.

I haven't had the T500 all that long. Still have a few things to do. Brakes were on the to-do list & I probably should have checked them sooner.

On the 71 T350...
Didn't run right & I had a bike shop look into it. They told me it needs new pistons & the related parts. Oversize pistons & rings showed up yesterday. Rest of parts are on order at Babbits.

On the herd...
Am actually thinking about selling the 69 T350. It doesn't have turn signals & the brake light is activated by only the read brake. Am thinking about either selling the bike, or adding turn signals & front brake perch that has a brake light switch. Bike currently has electrical problems & I want to fix that first.

[geck0]

Speedo driver didn't properly connect up to the hub

KISS (Keep It Simple Silly)

When I read you first post I knew the fix. Did you see the Tabs I talked about? I helped someone before that had this same prob but he let it go too long and wore the drive to the pinon down paper thin. When you posted that you ordered a speedo and later posted "Its OK now" but didn't comment on my post. I was suspicious

[jabcb]

Agreed & thanks for the info.

I disconnected the new speedo cable from the hub & checked to see that the pinion turns by moving the bike. Seemed fine but I didn't try to turn it with a screwdriver as you suggested. Then it worked with the replacement speedo. There was just a little wear on the tabs.

The speedo rattles when you shake it side to side, but the replacement speedo doesn't. Not sure what to make of this. I'm keeping the replacement speedo as a spare just in case.

At least there is an upside. Now know I've got good brake shoes & I have a spare speedo.

[geck0]

The pads are not that thick but there is alot of surface area and last a long time.
Like with any cable, Keep them greased and be wary of sags that can hold moisture. nothing worse that snapping a front brake cable when you need it most.