Speedometer not working

bande · 08-29-2008, 09:45 PM

Please forgive this long post... I humbly request your experience/expertise (and moral support).

I bought my '99 with <1900 miles a couple weeks ago. The biggest problem with this bike is that it has gone unused for quite a while. This is my first bike in 25 years, bought it mostly for fun (second childhood) and hope that this one will do without having to go to a bigger bike (I'm a pretty small "girl" so the size is more than adequate -- and if Pat Henry can ride like he does and not kill it...). Posts on this forum make me very hopeful. Anyway, the bike needed a new front tire (weather rot), I immediately took it to a shop <1mile from home. He ordered a tire/tube and the bike sat at home until I took it to him when the tire arrived (last Friday). I picked the bike up, paid - don't laugh - $192 ($150 for tire & tube) for the tire & mounting (came right home, looked online at prices of this tire and was physically ill). I had gone a few blocks and the speedometer stopped, started back when I hit a little bump, then stopped for good. Went back to the shop, he was closing up, took a quick peek at it, let me believe it was probably the cable, but that he'd have to take the wheel off and to bring it back the next week (not open on weekends). In retrospect, I recall him mumbling something about maybe getting something too tight. He said the cable would probably cost about $35 + $20 for installation. Long story short, the more I thought about it, the more I was beginning to get the feeling that my ignorance was proving disadvantageous for me and my new two-wheeled friend. Motivated by that, went out (after several wonderful rides where I was hopeful that my speed was okay) and looked at the cable, unscrewed it (who'd have thunk it was so simple?), and determined that the cable wasn't turning (so speedometer probably ok). And, of course, determined that you DON'T need to take off the wheel to examine the cable. Went online and ordered a cable for $13 + shipping and felt pretty proud of myself (if you only knew...) knowing that I could replace the thing myself. However, further motivated by that great accomplishment, I went back out to better determine that the problem was indeed the cable. Unscrewed the cable at the gearbox (I figured out what that was using the manual that some wonderful person posted) and positioned it so that I could watch the little flat thingamajig turn when I rolled the bike. It did not turn.

1) Should I have been able to move the gearbox (point it upward) so that I could see the thing that turns the cable move, or is it supposed to be stationary?
2) Does the flat thingy that turns the cable rotate sufficiently to see movement when rolling the bike a few feet (whether it's turned off, in gear, or whatever)?
3) I'm thinking that if it is the gearbox, I don't even need to entertain the idea that I could ever take it apart and put it back together (remember, I was thrilled about unscrewing & screwing back in the cable) - is that a correct assumption?
4) Is it possible that the guy who replaced the tire could have done something wrong to screw up the gearbox (incorrect torque)?
5) If that's the case, would it be wise to take it 25 miles away to a Suzuki dealership (even if it meant more $) to get them to diagnose & repair?

Thanks in advance for your (gentle) feedback. I've learned so much already reading other posts (I know it's not evident, but I have). This is a great forum!
b

Easy Rider · 08-29-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bande

Please forgive this long post...

4) Is it possible that the guy who replaced the tire could have done something wrong to screw up the gearbox (incorrect torque)?
5) If that's the case, would it be wise to take it 25 miles away to a Suzuki dealership (even if it meant more $) to get them to diagnose & repair?

Welcome and thank you for the long post. The devil is usually IN the details AND it is frustrating to have somebody say, on their SECOND post.....Oh, I forgot to tell you......there is a big hole in the case and oil runs out all over !!

Let's try to balance the long post with a short answer: In my opinion......
4) Yes. and
5) Yes
Based on your first experience, I highly doubt it will be more money and you get to ride 25 miles.
Also, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice.......... :roll:

Now, having said that, it is possible that the cable just wasn't seated properly in the "gearbox" as you call it and just putting it back together carefully might solve the problem. Certainly worth a shot.

patrick_777 · 08-29-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

...the cable just wasn't seated properly in the "gearbox" as you call it...

At the risk of sounding nit-picky and getting yelled at, Suzuki also calls it a "speedometer gearbox" in the Service Manual on page 5-3 & 5-6.

Now back to programming.

Easy Rider · 08-29-2008, 10:55 PM

[quote=patrick_777]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Easy Rider":2894j13m

...the cable just wasn't seated properly in the "gearbox" as you call it...

At the risk of sounding nit-picky and getting yelled at, [/quote:2894j13m]

No, not at all. I had no idea what it is really called.
Bad phrasing on my part.

mr. softie · 08-29-2008, 11:26 PM

I'm guessing the speedo gearbox is ok but not assembled or lined up properly. The mechanic who changed your tire should fix it for free since he apparently messed it up. If he knows what he is doing he can fix it in a few minutes and if he as the scruples of a bug or rat even he won't charge you for it. Too bad so many mechanics are not honest people. ( I know, I used to be one) Tell him to cut the crap and fix it or you will warn every biker you meet to avoid him like the plague.

Sorry for the rant. It is best in the long run to read the manual, get the tools, and do the work yourself, or be at the mercy of ruthless scoundrels.

Newbiker08 · 08-29-2008, 11:29 PM

A friend and I recently replaced the front tire on my bike. Dry rot. We pulled the wheel took it to a mechanic payed him 30$ to take off the old tire and put the new tire I had bought on the rim. He was gonna charge me 25$ until he saw it was spoke rim with a tube.

any way when putting the wheel back on you have to be careful to aglign the speedo gear box with the "keyways" cut into the rim. If the guy didn't do that then when the wheel turns its not turning the gearbox, and not turning the internal part in the cable.

I say take it back and have him fix what he screwed up. FREE, it seems pretty obvious that he screwed something up, it was working then he touched it, now its not working. You payed $42 dollars for labor. To me that means done correctly. You yourself admitted that your a small woman, with little mechanical knowledge, don't let that guy walk all over you. And after he fixes it for free I wouldn't go back to him again. Bbut thats my two cents.

bande · 08-30-2008, 08:44 AM

Thank you ALL for your replies.

I did check the seating yesterday (as best I could - kind of like trying to make sure the light goes out in the refrigerator when the door is closed). After seeing how the "screwhead" in the cable was turned, I was hopeful that was what the problem was.

I'm still working on skills and confidence in both me and in the bike (mechanically speaking), so a trip to the "big city" and all that traffic makes me a bit nervous. I've been riding on country roads not so terribly far from home. Didn't take the motorcycle safety course - my motorcycle license was still active after 25 years (didn't even realize it until I looked at the license after a "what if???" moment).

I think what I will do is take the bike back to the shop (armed with some helpful information) and have him try to fix it for "free" since the consensus is that I've more than adequately paid for it. Nothing lost but my time if he can't fix it. After that, I won't be darkening his doorway again. Lesson learned and hopefully I won't need a refresher course.

I'll post as soon as I have an outcome (may be a couple weeks). Thanks so much for your help!!

patrick_777 · 08-30-2008, 01:34 PM

In order to ward off the incoming flames: The MSF course is not just for getting your license. I suggest taking the basic course as a refresher and work on getting your skills back up to what they were 25 years ago. Bikes, roads and traffic have changed a lot since then.

bande · 08-30-2008, 02:33 PM

Understood, and thank you for the good advice. I'd already downloaded the handbook posted on this forum, and had checked into course offerings earlier.

Thanks, again, for your help and encouragement.

bande · 09-02-2008, 08:59 PM

Long story short... Got off work early today and took the bike by the shop. I have no doubt that the knowledge I'd gained from this forum helped me to avoid getting taken again. The speedometer gearbox is fixed at no charge -- but the outcome would have been quite different had I taken it back before "speaking" with you guys...

Next trip will be to the dealership in the "city" to figure out what's going on with the bike only running with the fuel valve in PRI position. I know, according to the manual it's dangerous, but it's been running like that the whole time I've had it (75 to 100 miles). As soon as I saw the explanation in the owner's manual (posted here), I changed the setting, but it won't run for long (a minute?) in either ON or RES. My "trusty" mechanic had some ideas and wanted me to let him clean the carborator (supposedly that had just been done when I got it - remember it had been unused for a long time), but... Unless Hannah comes to visit, I may try to run it to the dealership Saturday morning.

Thanks again, and be safe.

08-29-2008, 09:45 PM	#1
bande Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 9	Speedometer not working Please forgive this long post... I humbly request your experience/expertise (and moral support). I bought my '99 with <1900 miles a couple weeks ago. The biggest problem with this bike is that it has gone unused for quite a while. This is my first bike in 25 years, bought it mostly for fun (second childhood) and hope that this one will do without having to go to a bigger bike (I'm a pretty small "girl" so the size is more than adequate -- and if Pat Henry can ride like he does and not kill it...). Posts on this forum make me very hopeful. Anyway, the bike needed a new front tire (weather rot), I immediately took it to a shop <1mile from home. He ordered a tire/tube and the bike sat at home until I took it to him when the tire arrived (last Friday). I picked the bike up, paid - don't laugh - $192 ($150 for tire & tube) for the tire & mounting (came right home, looked online at prices of this tire and was physically ill). I had gone a few blocks and the speedometer stopped, started back when I hit a little bump, then stopped for good. Went back to the shop, he was closing up, took a quick peek at it, let me believe it was probably the cable, but that he'd have to take the wheel off and to bring it back the next week (not open on weekends). In retrospect, I recall him mumbling something about maybe getting something too tight. He said the cable would probably cost about $35 + $20 for installation. Long story short, the more I thought about it, the more I was beginning to get the feeling that my ignorance was proving disadvantageous for me and my new two-wheeled friend. Motivated by that, went out (after several wonderful rides where I was hopeful that my speed was okay) and looked at the cable, unscrewed it (who'd have thunk it was so simple?), and determined that the cable wasn't turning (so speedometer probably ok). And, of course, determined that you DON'T need to take off the wheel to examine the cable. Went online and ordered a cable for $13 + shipping and felt pretty proud of myself (if you only knew...) knowing that I could replace the thing myself. However, further motivated by that great accomplishment, I went back out to better determine that the problem was indeed the cable. Unscrewed the cable at the gearbox (I figured out what that was using the manual that some wonderful person posted) and positioned it so that I could watch the little flat thingamajig turn when I rolled the bike. It did not turn. 1) Should I have been able to move the gearbox (point it upward) so that I could see the thing that turns the cable move, or is it supposed to be stationary? 2) Does the flat thingy that turns the cable rotate sufficiently to see movement when rolling the bike a few feet (whether it's turned off, in gear, or whatever)? 3) I'm thinking that if it is the gearbox, I don't even need to entertain the idea that I could ever take it apart and put it back together (remember, I was thrilled about unscrewing & screwing back in the cable) - is that a correct assumption? 4) Is it possible that the guy who replaced the tire could have done something wrong to screw up the gearbox (incorrect torque)? 5) If that's the case, would it be wise to take it 25 miles away to a Suzuki dealership (even if it meant more $) to get them to diagnose & repair? Thanks in advance for your (gentle) feedback. I've learned so much already reading other posts (I know it's not evident, but I have). This is a great forum! b Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-29-2008, 11:26 PM	#5
mr. softie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bucks Co. PA Posts: 361	I'm guessing the speedo gearbox is ok but not assembled or lined up properly. The mechanic who changed your tire should fix it for free since he apparently messed it up. If he knows what he is doing he can fix it in a few minutes and if he as the scruples of a bug or rat even he won't charge you for it. Too bad so many mechanics are not honest people. ( I know, I used to be one) Tell him to cut the crap and fix it or you will warn every biker you meet to avoid him like the plague. Sorry for the rant. It is best in the long run to read the manual, get the tools, and do the work yourself, or be at the mercy of ruthless scoundrels. __________________ The real money in a gold rush is in supplying liqueur and women to the miners.... May the wind always be at your back and the sun overhead as you make your way down the ever winding, smoothly paved, traffic free road! Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-29-2008, 11:29 PM	#6
Newbiker08 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 14	A friend and I recently replaced the front tire on my bike. Dry rot. We pulled the wheel took it to a mechanic payed him 30$ to take off the old tire and put the new tire I had bought on the rim. He was gonna charge me 25$ until he saw it was spoke rim with a tube. any way when putting the wheel back on you have to be careful to aglign the speedo gear box with the "keyways" cut into the rim. If the guy didn't do that then when the wheel turns its not turning the gearbox, and not turning the internal part in the cable. I say take it back and have him fix what he screwed up. FREE, it seems pretty obvious that he screwed something up, it was working then he touched it, now its not working. You payed $42 dollars for labor. To me that means done correctly. You yourself admitted that your a small woman, with little mechanical knowledge, don't let that guy walk all over you. And after he fixes it for free I wouldn't go back to him again. Bbut thats my two cents. __________________ Keep the shiny side up, and the rubber side down. Its the number one rule to keep your ass of the ground.
	0

08-30-2008, 08:44 AM	#7
bande Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 9	Speedometer not working Thank you ALL for your replies. I did check the seating yesterday (as best I could - kind of like trying to make sure the light goes out in the refrigerator when the door is closed). After seeing how the "screwhead" in the cable was turned, I was hopeful that was what the problem was. I'm still working on skills and confidence in both me and in the bike (mechanically speaking), so a trip to the "big city" and all that traffic makes me a bit nervous. I've been riding on country roads not so terribly far from home. Didn't take the motorcycle safety course - my motorcycle license was still active after 25 years (didn't even realize it until I looked at the license after a "what if???" moment). I think what I will do is take the bike back to the shop (armed with some helpful information) and have him try to fix it for "free" since the consensus is that I've more than adequately paid for it. Nothing lost but my time if he can't fix it. After that, I won't be darkening his doorway again. Lesson learned and hopefully I won't need a refresher course. I'll post as soon as I have an outcome (may be a couple weeks). Thanks so much for your help!!
	0

08-30-2008, 01:34 PM	#8
patrick_777 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,763	In order to ward off the incoming flames: The MSF course is not just for getting your license. I suggest taking the basic course as a refresher and work on getting your skills back up to what they were 25 years ago. Bikes, roads and traffic have changed a lot since then. __________________ ]I am hiding in Honduras. I am a desperate man. Send lawyers, guns and money. The shit has hit the fan.
	0

08-30-2008, 02:33 PM	#9
bande Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 9	Understood, and thank you for the good advice. I'd already downloaded the handbook posted on this forum, and had checked into course offerings earlier. Thanks, again, for your help and encouragement.
	0

09-02-2008, 08:59 PM	#10
bande Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 9	Re: Speedometer NOW working - tackle fuel valve/carb next Long story short... Got off work early today and took the bike by the shop. I have no doubt that the knowledge I'd gained from this forum helped me to avoid getting taken again. The speedometer gearbox is fixed at no charge -- but the outcome would have been quite different had I taken it back before "speaking" with you guys... Next trip will be to the dealership in the "city" to figure out what's going on with the bike only running with the fuel valve in PRI position. I know, according to the manual it's dangerous, but it's been running like that the whole time I've had it (75 to 100 miles). As soon as I saw the explanation in the owner's manual (posted here), I changed the setting, but it won't run for long (a minute?) in either ON or RES. My "trusty" mechanic had some ideas and wanted me to let him clean the carborator (supposedly that had just been done when I got it - remember it had been unused for a long time), but... Unless Hannah comes to visit, I may try to run it to the dealership Saturday morning. Thanks again, and be safe.
	0