So when we redid my fork seals last week we had to remove the speedometer cable. The speedo never worked right, saying I was going between 5-25 MPH faster than I was actually going. Now it makes an AWFUL squealing noise, so much so that I've disconnected it altogether. I tried shooting a little 3 in 1 oil into the cable but it made no difference. Do I need a new speedo cable? Is there something I might've done wrong when reconnecting it to the speedo head? I ask because the noise was intermittent at first and now it's unbearable. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
-Dan
Dan, I believe that there is a trick to getting the speedometer cable hooked up correctly at the wheel. However a couple of the guys that know that trick are on the road for MiniMootMag in the Hill country. You'll probably hear from them Sunday or Monday.
In the mean time what type of Magna do you have? A first gen? A second gen (or Super)? or a 3rd gen? That may help them give you the correct answer.
Dan,
I have an '82 Magna and have had the front wheel off a couple of times this past summer for different things. If you have a first gen., as you put in the speedo cable, turn the wheel a little. There is a prong in the speedo box and the cable has a notch that fits over the tang just mentioned. I don't know if you can seat the cable if it isn't properly aligned.
I had trouble with the right brake kinda dragging which required me to push on the left fork until I had proper clearence on the right caliper. I had to have someone torque the axle pinch bolt at the same time. If I remember right, you have a friend helping you so you shouldn't have any trouble there.
I don't know if this helps at all or not. I hope it does. If not, Magna Man is right, someone will be along that knows what is up.
Can you tell where the noise is coming from?
Check to make sure the speedo cable housing is on the wheel correctly and has the tab on the fork in front of the one on the housing. Try disconnecting the cable on the back of the speedometer and ride it. If the noise goes away then you need to check out the speedo.