It’s normal to find a broken speedometer, but you should be aware that you won’t have access to this vital component of your bike if you do. The speedometer will inform you at what speed you are operating your bike.
In addition to that, it has a meter for the fuel tank and indicator lights to show whether the lights are on or off.
I have been in the same situation before, and I was stuck in the traffic without any fuel because it wasn’t working.
Don’t worry too much about it, because you’ll soon figure out how to fix the problem and keep it from getting worse.
In this article, I’ll talk about all of the possible solutions and give details about how they work and what they do.
What is a motorcycle speedometer?
Speedometers are important pieces of gear for motorcyclists because they tell them how fast their bike is going.
However, in addition to measuring the speed of the motorcycle, it can also determine the number of revolutions per minute, the amount of fuel that is left, and the mileage.
A speedometer, in its most basic definition, is a measuring device that displays the actual speed that a vehicle is traveling at.
The word “speedometer” can refer to either a mechanical or an electronic device that shows the current speed in either miles per hour or kilometers per hour.
Motorcycles are the only vehicles that do not use speedometers.
Why does the speedometer stop working?
You need to have an understanding of the factors that contribute to the ineffectiveness of the speedometer before you can move on to the solution.
Here is a list of the most common things that can make a speedometer stop working:
1. A bad speed sensor,
2. A broken gear on the speedometer,
3. Damaged wiring, or
4. A faulty engine control unit.
Mostly due to these problems, the speedometer stops working.
How much does it cost to repair a speedometer?
If you need to get your broken speedometer fixed, click here. Therefore, its price is approximately $200 on a monthly basis. Consequently, you should attempt to replace it with a brand new speedometer.
You can get it for somewhere around $250. And the cost to fix the broken one is two hundred dollars.
In this scenario, it is recommended that you get a new one because this will result in you having an entirely new unit.
Still, problems with the speed sensor are by far the most common reason why a speedometer won’t work.
Are Speedometers Repairable?
There are a lot of people who are curious about whether or not the speedometer can be fixed.
So, let me tell you that most speedometer repairs are easy and usually just involve replacing a fuse or ECU and clearing any error codes.
During the second trip to the mechanic, the speedometer is fixed and a new speed sensor is put in. Both of these things happen at the same time.
How do you know your speedometer is broken?
Here are the top 3 symptoms of a broken speedometer.
1. The speedometer of the motorcycle does not move at all.
If the pointer on your speedometer does not move during acceleration, chances are high that the housing and speedometer cable have already failed.
2. The speedometer needle keeps jumping and skipping.
3. Hearing a squeaking noise is also a sign.
How to Repair a Motorcycle Speedometer
You can fix the speedometer on your motorcycle at home, with or without the help of a professional mechanic.
If you don’t follow the steps that I’ve outlined for you, you might end up having to buy a new speedometer instead of fixing the meter.
I’ve included all of the steps that will be helpful to you below.
Things you will need while repairing a speedometer
1. Screwdriver,
2. Metric wrench,
3. Pliers,
4. Sewing needle,
5. Speedometer cable grease,
6. Spray lubricant.
Step 1
To begin, you’ll need to put your motorcycle on a repair stand or the kickstand so that it can’t move.
The next step is to find the bottom end of the speedometer cable and locate where it attaches to the hub of the front wheel.
Also, do this with caution: loosen the fitting that is connected to the hub by the cable. To do that, you’ll need a metric wrench with a small head.
Step 2
After that, you need to remove the end of the cable from the hub. While you’re doing this, you need to make sure that the square end of the cable is in good condition.
If it appears to be broken or has rounded edges, this is the section of the cable that needs to be replaced.
On the other hand, if the end is broken, there is a greater possibility that a fragment of the broken end will be implanted inside the hub.
Be aware, however, that in order to remove the broken piece from the speedometer hub, you will need to make use of a needle or another object with a pointy end.
If the head of your motorcycle’s speedometer is not broken or worn, put it back together and go to Step 5.
If this isn’t the case, move on to the next step after the broken cable has been replaced.
Step 3
With pliers, you can loosen the connection by turning the connection fitting on the underside of the speedometer in a counterclockwise direction.
After that, remove the final piece of the cable from its connection to the speedometer.
In addition to this, you need to take off any cable guides that are mounted on the handlebars or the front forks of the motorcycle.
On the other hand, the kind of tool and the kind of guide that are required to remove them will change depending on the model of the motorcycle in question.
Step 4
The next step is to try reconnecting the cable to the front wheel speedometer hub after first applying a small amount of speedometer cable grease to the square end of the cable.
The end of the cable that goes to the top should be connected to the fitting on the speedometer.
The cable should be routed so that it reaches the underside of the speedometer.
After that, you use pliers to further secure the fitting. The speedometer cable guide should then be reconnected.
Step 5
At this point, you will need to remove the cable that is attached to the underside of the speedometer.
To accomplish this, you will need a metric wrench to loosen the nuts that are attached to the handlebars.
Utilizing this wrench, take the speedometer off the dashboard and place it on the worktable.
After that, you can use a small screwdriver to remove the back cover from the speedometer. To do so, remove the cover from the speedometer.
Step 6
After that, you need to use the screwdriver to remove the odometer from the vehicle.
Make it a point to look at the tiny odometer gear that can be found either directly behind or directly below the odometer number wheel.
During this process, keep in mind that the odometer needs to be replaced at the same time if the gear is already damaged or if any of its teeth are broken.
Step 7
The last step is to check the speedometer gear and the back of the speedometer dial.
You should get a new speedometer if you notice any rust or corrosion deposits in this area.
In that case, lubricant should be sprayed on the moving parts, and you should check to see if they are moving freely.
After you have completed these steps, you will need to install the new or existing odometer there and then place the cover on the back of the speedometer.
After the speedometer has been properly installed, the clamp should be tightened.
And reattach the cable where it was disconnected under the speedometer.
Either this way or the entire process will be completed. And with that, your speedometer is ready to go.
As a first step toward preventing issues with the speedometer, keep in mind, when looking to purchase a bike, how important it is to thoroughly inspect the digital speedometer.
The function of the speedometer is to indicate how fast the vehicle is going. The vast majority of the bikes only have analog speedometers.
However, digital speedometers are becoming standard on newly manufactured bikes these days.
In the event that it sustains damage, the cost of repairing it could be quite high. Therefore, before making a purchase, make sure you have all the relevant information.
How to read the speedometer of a motorcycle?
In this case, reading from right to left, the first row of numbers indicates the distance in meters per hundred, so it represents 1,100 meters.
The second row indicates the distance in meters per 2,200, and so on, until one kilometer is reached.
The second line of the speedometer reads from one kilometer to nine kilometers. In addition, the third line of the speedometer reads from 0 to 90 kilometers per hour.
After that comes the fourth line, which displays the speedometer reading from 100 km all the way up to 900 km.
Is it illegal to drive with a broken or damaged speedometer?
The answer to this question is “yes,” as it is against the law to operate such a vehicle in which there is not already a speedometer that is present and fully operational which displays motorcycle speed in both miles per hour and kilometers per hour.
Additionally, it constitutes a violation for certain categories of motor vehicles.
For example, the speed limiter won’t be put on the HGV if the speedometer is broken or not working right in some other way.
Conclusion
The speed sensor works on a very simple principle: there is a sprocket that goes to either the transmission’s output shaft or the engine’s crankshaft.
When the shaft rotates, the sprocket on it also rotates. This wheel comes with a clearance of one or more of its teeth.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and family, especially if they are experiencing the same issue.
