Honda Hornet Speedo not working

[GhostRider]

Greetings,

So I was bombing it along and recall looking at my speedo reading 70mph, a couple of turns later I glance back down and it's dead, a quick look around the front there's nothing obvious to me - the last time this happened was on an NSR125 where the cable had obviously snapped so was simple to replace but I can't even see where the speedo cable is.

How should I go about solving this?

Cheers,

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[MarkJ]

I'm going to assume it's unfaired and therefore cable driven from the front sprocket.

So... you can undo the cable at both ends - can use your fingers to undo it from the clock (might need long nosed pliers if it's on tight). Comes from underneath the speedo side of the clocks.I think an 8mm socket where it fits over the sprocket is needed there. The clock end of the cable is just like the head of a flat head screwdriver, and I forget what it's like on the front sprocket (I think it might be the same just turned through 90 degrees). I know on the sprocket end it pokes through the cover and there's a white plastic lump that fits over the front sprocket bolt, thus turning the cable.

So yeah, undo the cable at both ends and try and spin it and see if the other end does. If it doesn't the cable's fucked, if it does then it could be the mechanism where it connects into the clocks. I've got a spare speedo mechanism lying around somewhere - it's just a load of cogs and worm gears, so might have some stripped teeth on it? Never heard of that happening though. The plastic/nylon thing that connects to the front sprocket might have stripped too, might be worth a look. Or something might have just come undone.

My Hornet's in bits so can get you pictures of it all if you need.

[Slacker24seve...]

If you get stuck give me a PM mate. I've fairly recently had my Hornet speedo in bits, in fact not long before we went to Quatt. I'd be happy to drop in and take a look, like Mark I've also got some speedo innards lying around.

Check the bolts on the sprocket cover first though. I had the same thing happen to me when one worked loose and the speedo drive wasn't engaging with the nut on the sprocket.


____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[GhostRider]

Cheers guys I shall inspect tomorrow when I have some daylight.

Some pics would help as I am a complete retard when it comes to mechanics.

In fact I shall probably take photos myself when I get stuck so it'll be easier for you guys to guide this fool.

Cheers,

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[GhostRider]

Ughhhh,

This is already getting on my nerves.

To clarify, the red arrowed screw is the one I should be removing in order to get the speedo cable out, right? I hope not because that screw is farking welded in, I stopped trying when it looked like I was going to round it off altogether if I carried on.

I managed to get the end out of the speedo itself for a looksee and it seemed ok as far as I could tell, I turned it and was sure I could hear some turning action going on by the front sprocket so maybe thats an indication that alls well in that respect.....then again I guess it might be turning the cable but not connecting properly to the sprocket if the ends snapped off?

I'm thinking this might be a job for the mechanic anyway as I have noticed the past week or so that I'm spotting oil after each time I park up, I come back 1/2 hour later and there's a small patched of oil, I've got down to floor level and tried to see where it's coming from but from what I can tell there are 3 or 4 drips of oil hanging off in different places though it only spots on the ground under the one. There's a load of muck there and I can't get my hands anywhere near it to clean stuff off to have a proper look, I think it needs to be raised off the floor to get underneath it to inspect it properly.

I should have guessed something would go wrong with the bike, it usually does once I'm doing ok with money

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[cb1rocket]

use an impact driver for that screw and a good philips cross head bit.

Turn the rear wheel while you have the speedo cable end disconnected, you should see it turn. If not new speedo cable.

You sure the oil is not excess chain lube

[GhostRider]

[DrDonnyBrago]

Looks like you have been trying to undo that philips head screw with a pozi drive screwdriver. Pozi bits and philips bits are not interchangeable and do that ^^^ to screws when you use them as if they are.


https://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f129/71149d1200507010-extra-interior-lights-pozi-philips.jpg


Impact driver with a good fitting bit or even a screwdriver with a good fitting bit should get that out, it looks clean and shiny enough to not be corroded in.

[MarkJ]

GR I normally undo that 8mm bolt to the right. I think the screw you're trying to undo separates the cable from the mechanism that turns the rotating force through 90 degrees.

If you can't undo that philips screw undo the 8mm bolt instead which will release the speedo cable and mechanism from the sprocket cover - then you can test the cable (and mechanism). Then if the cable/mech is fine it's either that nylon cap that fits on the front sprocket, or the speedo.

Nylon cap sits the other side of the sprocket cover which you can undo with the two 8mm bolts - you can see the top one in your picture.

[GhostRider]

[MarkJ]

I had a look at the cable and all the gubbins last night. That screw was stuck fast on mine too, and can confirm it's made of finest cheddar. It took two solid whacks with a manual impact driver to get the bugger out.

I took a few pictures of everything but couldn't upload them cos my wireless keyboard had flat batteries. Ii'll try and get them up tonight, but basically you have a speedo cable with a 90 degree mechanism on it. Bottom has a spade connector, top has a square section. Plastic cap sits on front sprocket - one side has hex head, other spade.

[GhostRider]

Thanks for the info.

I had a go at it after getting home today. It would seem that the 8mm bolt is also welded in place, I tried both directions and not so much as a millimeter did it budge, and then the extension rod that fits into the drive ratchet snapped in two - shoddy tools probably but none the less shows that everything in that general area seems to be well sealed....I don't know whether to go out and buy some better tools in the hopes that I won't eventually round off the bolt, or just look towards someone who actually knows what the fark they're doing.... god help me if I ever have a real problem with the bike!

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[MarkJ]

Bugger. Have you tried turning the rear wheel to see if it turns the cable at the top yet? You could also take the sprocket cover off leaving the whole cable in place on it, just make sure the spade thing lines back up with the nylon cap.

If you're anywhere near Sheffield you're welcome to come round to mine and I'll have a look but looks like you're Birmingham area on your profile

[Slacker24seve...]

If you get really stuck I'll come over with an impact driver
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[GhostRider]

Bugger and shite.

Took the speedo cable out and span the back wheel, cable was turning fine, which inevitably means it's the speedo itself I'm guessing.

I thought I'd take it apart and have a look see for anything obvious but I couldn't even get the damn backs off as there are two screws further back that I would be able to reach if I had the hands of a 5 year old, but how in the hell anyone else is supposed to reach them I don't know.

Slacker - are you free next weekend at all? If you could help me sort this crap out I'd be grateful, I'd come down to you, I have developed a slow oil leak as well and can't figure out where it's coming from so could use an additional pair of eyes for that too.

Just thought I'd probably be better PM'ing you but you might see this first so I'll leave it here anyways.

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[Slacker24seve...]

[GhostRider]

Ok no worrys mate let me know Sunday.

Cheers,

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[MarkJ]

Are you trying to undo the screws for the chrome casing on the back of the clocks? Pretty easy to get out IIRC, you need to unbolt the clocks from the top yoke first though so you can move the clocks around freely.

I think there's 5 in total, is it the ones right down the bottom that you can't get to? It'll be easier if you take the clocks off the bike, but that means removing the tank to unclip the two electrical connectors.

Want me to get some pics tonight?

[GhostRider]

[Slacker24seve...]

Just to add, you don't need to lift the tank to do it. You can take the front off the headlight, just unclip the red and the white connectors.

Have you got the workshop manual? If not, PM me your email and I'll send it to you.
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[MarkJ]

Hmm they must have changed the clock wiring between years then, my connectors are under the tank on the left side of the frame.

Anywho, pics.

Here be clocks:
https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/markjackson13/DSCF1323Copy.jpg

If you're going to take the speedo out completely you need one of those small screwdrivers that you normally get in crackers to take the odometer reset spinny thing out.

Undo these five screws and you'll have the rear chrome cover off:
https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/markjackson13/DSCF1324Copy.jpg

Then these two to check the worm gear that spins the back of the input shaft on the speedo:
https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/markjackson13/DSCF1325Copy.jpg

Might be worth sticking the speedo cable into it now and getting someone to spin the back wheel. If the worm gear turns it looks like it could be the speedo:
https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/markjackson13/DSCF1326Copy.jpg

Try and put some resistance on the worm gear with your finger incase the cable has snapped but can just about turn under no load.

The next part you need to undo a screw that is in the middle of the four idiot lights. If you can't angle your screwdriver in to undo this you'll need to take the metal bracket, tacho wires and bulbs off:

If you then need to take the speedo out, pull out the four lights from the top part of the clocks (the three clock illumination lights and high beam light)
https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/markjackson13/DSCF1327Copy.jpg
You'll also have to undo the three wires for the tacho - on the left of the pictures. With these off you can undo the three 10mm nuts that hold the backet on and slide the bracket out. Underneath in the midde of the clocks is one more screw, undo this and the front of the clocks will drop off:

https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/markjackson13/DSCF1329Copy.jpg

Finally undo the two screws holding the speedo in, and the one inside the odometer reset spinny thing and you can gently coax the speedo out.

https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/markjackson13/DSCF1327Copy.jpg

Then you could connect it all up again without the clock surround on to see what isn't turning:
https://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/markjackson13/DSCF1331Copy.jpg

[GhostRider]

You sir are a saint, many thanks, although looking at it and wondering how the hell I'm going to manage all that almost reduced me to tears

I couldn't get those bottom two screws off the chrome plate before but then the clocks were still attached to the bike so will try and get them off first next time and have a better go at it, will probably have to wait till weekend so I've got time to wonder how the shitting hell to put it all back together.

Thanks again,

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.