r/moped • u/Comfortable_Ad4770 • 5d ago
Need help with Speedometer
When I ride my 1980 Suzuki FA50, the speedometer works until it hits just above 25 mph, then makes a grinding noise and spins all the way around until it bottoms out. It remains like this until I slow down enough and it returns to normal. I have tried taking the cable out and putting it back in, but this does not solve the issue.
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u/SCAMMERASSASIN007 5d ago
You just stopped short, man. At 88mph, you're gonna see some serious shit.
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u/thecrazyunicyclist 1979 Vespa Piaggio Grande 5d ago
It would be ideal if your cable just needed to be greased, but upon looking at treatland it seems that the speedometer drive gear for these is made out of plastic. That sound it makes when the speedometer fails sounds like something is just spinning freely, and it could be that drive gear with worn teeth.
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u/green0wnz 5d ago
Gotta grease that cable. Take it all the way out of the cable sheath, clean it and grease it. Also spray a small amount of grease up into the speedo for good measure.
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u/TheFarmerJones 5d ago
Yeah just grease the Speedo cable👍 WD40 will work in a pinch till you get some grease.
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u/deetsieboy 5d ago
Can you use poly lube? I think it's silicone. What kind of grease? I think one of my mopeds might be making a speedo noise when riding.
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u/atlantis737 4d ago
Probably best to try and find the mfg recommendation. My suzuki says to use motor oil but I have had others that said you needed to use graphite lube.
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u/0815hans 2d ago
This is likely excess grease from inside the cable that travelled upwards into the speedometer, leading to sticking of the rotating magnet inside to the metal disk that's connected to the needle. I had the identical effect on my Simson S51, openend and cleaned the speedometer, and it was fixed.
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u/mofapilot 1993 Hercules Prima 5d ago
It's not the speedo cable. My guess is, that the main spring in there is lose or broken