New cable, but speedo not working

[Stevenanos]

1980 GL1100 speedometer not working. I installed a new cable. Still nothing. Before it quit, occasionally it would jump around sporadically.

[nwkwinger]

I can think of two possibilities. Either the drive isn't working or there's something wrong with your speedometer itself. An easy way to check is to remove the lower cable end from the drive and clamp a drill onto the end of the cable itself (not the housing). Then spin the drill in both directions. If the speedometer in working, it will move the needle. If the needle moves, it's in the speedometer drive. If not, it's the speedometer itself.

[Stevenanos]

That is freaking brilliant!! I appreciate that advice very much. Sooo glad I found this site.

[elementfe]

I did the same thing. It wasn't until I had the front wheel off for something else that I checked the little unit on the front axle....there's a nylon gear in there that comes apart eventually, easy to find on ebay. Spin your wheel and see if the little tab that drives the speedo cable goes around.

[Stevenanos]

Also great advice. Thank you so very much.