Speedometer Cable breakage?

[Guest Texas Boy]

I was wondering if anyone else has had problems with their speedometer cable on their LeMans. My 2003 LeMans has broken two cables in under 6000 miles and find this very strange, since I haven't had this problem with a bike since an old Kawasaki in the 1970's. I have also broken 3 turn signal lens on three different turn signals and this seems strang (no, I didn't fall over).

 

Thanks for your input.

 

Jeff

[jtucker]

Yes. I have a Magni fairing on my Sport, which requires the addition of another angle drive. After a few thousand miles, I started busting angle drives. Every time I replaced one, it would break as soon as the bike started moving. Unfortunately, my bike has been on the bench since December, so I haven't had a chance to sort it out yet, though.

 

My problem was very odd. I could turn the speedo by hand, and I could turn the cable easily by hand, but when I connected the two together, there was major resistance. I think the problem might have been the cable all along, so I plan to replace it once I get back on the road.

 

Good luck!

[zebulon]

One of my best friends as now real 16 000 km but only 2000 km at the tacho on his Rosso Corsa of december. 3 cables down at this moment and a bike speedo on the fairing.

 

Depending of the "2003" mod. The 2003 mod have the new black tacho.

But on the late models as the rosso corsa there are no angle drive and the cable is directly trained by the gear box.

On the first "2003" , procuded since mid 2002 there is a cable drive on the gear box and it seems to have less troubles.

 

My friend want to try the system with cable drive on the gear box.

 

Wait & see

[al_roethlisberger]

*sigh* ...so much inconsistency from Guzzi

 

Once again, "this seems like such a simple thing" ....

[Guest Le Man]

My '03 Lemans broke it's cable at 4750 miles. I have the one with the 90 degree bend at the trans end of the cable. It broke right at the 90. I went to the dealer and he said they all do it. I saw the right angle drive on a Sport and said I wanted one of those. He told me they were worse than the bend..some of the drives lasted only a few miles. We called the rep and he suggested using the one with the bend but be sure to lube it with teflon based grease and lube it often to minimize breakage. This isn't a major thing but it bugs me...there is an old triumph on my street that has the original cable on it (1968 or so)..this is not rocket science

boys!

 

Mike

[Guest Texas Boy]

THe cable on my 2003 LeMans has the 90 degree bend and it broke right at the bend. When I get my new cable, I will be sure to make sure it is well lubed. I find it hard to believe that Guzzi can't get this simple problem corrected.

 

Very Strange

[jtucker]

I don't understand - considering how much stress these angle drives are under - why they make them out of plastic? Some of them look like they'll fall apart if you just look at them the wrong way...

 

Wouldn't it simplify things if they just ran the speedo off of the front wheel? Or, maybe even switch to electronic?

[Murray]

The vast majority of speedo cables breaking problems are caused by unsuitable /incorrect routing. The maxium bend radius for a flexiable drive cable should be no less than 20 times the diameter of the cable and prefably as gently as possible. Fleixble drive cables can be custom made longer or shorter should you need extra length to route it properly (they are usally cheaper than OEM too) storage is also another problem a lot of manufacturers coil thier cables in less than desirable diameters for packaging. So critcally look at the routing take in account handle bar movement tank mountings etc etc. The 1100sport broke its orginal factory cable at 62 000kms. If the angel drive is under a lot of stress something is amiss you need to look at supporting the cable better or why its under so much stress. I would think metal angle drives are avlible from the same flexiable drive speacialists that make cables.

[Guest Le Man]

There are a number of quality right angle drives available. A common application would be a tachometer drive adapter for a foreign engine such as Yanmar or Kubota (more likely to have a metric nut). The cable should be no big problem but I notice that my Lemans has a smaller threaded collar at the speedo than I have seen on other Guzzi's. I have a GPS mounted on the bars currently so I don't notice the lack of speedo that much but it would be nice to have it hooked up.

 

Mike

[Guest Texas Boy]

Well, after my 2nd cable broke, I took the suggestion of making a cable from a car part that I got from my local Auto Zone. It fits perfectly, but unfortunately it also broke after about 70 miles (again at the elbow where it fits into the transmission). So I decided to remove the cable housing (elbow)and heat it up with a butane torch and bend it to decrease the amount of angle. I will keep you posted on the outcome. I am taking the LeMans on a 500 mile this weekend, so hopefully the cable will hold up.

 

Jeff

[al_roethlisberger]

..sounds like MG needs to take both alternative parts, the metal "elbow" and the plastic gear-drive, and mung them into one solution.

 

The only problem I had heard with the gear-drive version, is that the pressure and torque from the angle-drive would push the plastic casing apart sometimes.

 

So, if they'd just make a durable metal gear/angle-drive, we'd be set

 

Fortunately, my plastic angle-drive hasn't pushed itself apart yet(knocking on wood).

 

*sigh*

[Mike Stewart]

Fortunately, my plastic angle-drive hasn't pushed itself apart yet(knocking on wood).

 

*sigh*

It's only time!

 

Mike

[callison]

So far so good, 25,000 miles and the angle drive still functions.

[Guest Le Man]

Just like Texasboy I purchased and installed a generic auto cable and it worked great for about 100 miles and broke in the same place. For the next one I am first taking a little bend out of the cable end and then polishing the inside of the bend with a piece of old cable (I've got plenty) chucked up in a drill and dipped in valve grinding compound. We will see if this works. The right angle drive is so bad my dealer refuses to sell them.

 

Mike

[Guest Texas Boy]

I rode the LeMans about 450 miles this weekend and the cable did NOT break!!!

 

I took the cable out of the housing to inspect it and so far there is no fraying, so

it looks like it might last. I am hoping that bending the steel arm where the cable goes into the transmission has taken care of my problems. I will keep you posted.