Motorcycle Speedometer Not Working – How to Fix It
Many people in Bangladesh are now choosing motorcycles as their mode of transport for ease and speed. And why not? It is the best vehicle for those who want to use their own transport within their means.
But the matter we are still indifferent about is the correct knowledge about various parts of a bike. If you do not gain proper knowledge about its parts when buying and using a bike, you may face any problem in the future.
Moreover, without basic knowledge, you will have to take it for servicing for any minor issue, and there is also a possibility of being defrauded. Therefore, we all should gain basic knowledge about bike parts. With that goal, today's blog topic is how to fix a motorcycle speedometer if it is not working properly. Let's start then.
Some Misconceptions About Speedometers
Many bike riders still don't know that a bike's speedometer provides an approximate value of the bike's speed. It is not entirely accurate. This approximate measurement often varies from motorcycle company to company.
So, what's the problem if the speedometer gives a wrong reading? Because it doesn't provide the exact value. If you think so, you are definitely mistaken. Even if a bike's speedometer is not precise, it shows an approximate value which helps you control your speed.
Now, if the speedometer on your bike is not working properly, various problems can arise. For example, if the meter shows a much lower value than your actual speed, you might not control your speed, leading to an accident. Therefore, if a bike's speedometer is not working, it must be fixed.
How to Understand if a Motorcycle Speedometer is Working Properly
The speedometer is not a complicated part at all. Rather, both its connection and operation are quite simple. Essentially, it has two parts: one is the speedometer gauge and the other is the cable that connects it to the gauge and the front tire rim of the bike.
To check if your motorcycle's speedometer is working correctly, first unscrew the part of the cable connected to the tire. After unscrewing, bring the cable up near the display. Now, press the speedometer wire inside the cable inwards. If the meter on the display remains still, it is not working properly. The reason could be that the inner wire is broken or the connection point is damaged.
If one of these two reasons is the case, here's how to fix it.
How to Fix a Motorcycle Speedometer
Required Materials
- Metric Wrench
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Speedometer Cable Grease
- Lubricant Spray
Steps to Fix the Speedometer
- Unscrew the cable that was opened during the initial check.
- If the cable connection point or the cable itself is damaged, pull out the damaged cable and replace it with a new one.
- Loosen the speedometer cable connection at the bottom of the speedometer by turning it counter-clockwise with pliers. Pull the end of the cable out of the speedometer.
- Apply a small amount of speedometer cable grease to the square end of the cable and reattach it to the front wheel's speedometer hub. Tighten the fitting with pliers.
- If the cable is not damaged, we will assume there is no problem in the lower part. Then, the handlebar end on the upper side of the bike needs to be opened.
- Use a metric wrench to loosen the speedometer cable from the handlebars. Remove the speedometer and place it on a workbench.
- Remove the rear cover from the motorcycle speedometer with a metric wrench or a small screwdriver.
- Remove and check the odometer with a screwdriver or a small metric wrench. Replace the odometer if the gears are badly broken.
- Check behind the speedometer dial and the speedometer gears. If rusted, the speedometer needs to be replaced.
- Spray the parts with lubricants and manipulate them by hand. Install the new odometer and reattach the rear cover to the speedometer. Place the speedometer in position and tighten the clamp.
This was our discussion today about motorcycle speedometers. Stay with Bikesguide to learn about such important topics in the future.
