Problem with Speedo instrument flickering

Nortoniggy · Sep 10, 2024

In my experience you need the lightest lubricant possible. I used to suffer with the wobbly speedo needle and tried various solutions. What worked for me was removing inner cable and washing the outer clean by pouring petrol through it. I then lubricated the inner wire with some very thin lubricant designed for cycles, a sort of dry lubricant once applied. End result has been a rock steady speedo.

Ron Hulton · Sep 10, 2024

I bought this after talking with Vintage British Cables . Apparently this is what they lube their cables with.

L.A.B. · Sep 10, 2024

Lorenzo said:
what kind of lubricant? WD40? engine oil? grease?

I've used ordinary grease but don't grease the last 6 inches or so at the upper (instrument) end I suggest that after replacing the inner cable you pull it out a few times and wipe any grease off the inner cable.

ludwig · Sep 10, 2024

Lorenzo said:
what kind of lubricant? WD40? engine oil? grease?

Sewing machine oil.

Lorenzo · Sep 10, 2024

Nortoniggy said:
In my experience you need the lightest lubricant possible. I used to suffer with the wobbly speedo needle and tried various solutions. What worked for me was removing inner cable and washing the outer clean by pouring petrol through it. I then lubricated the inner wire with some very thin lubricant designed for cycles, a sort of dry lubricant once applied. End result has been a rock steady speedo.

can you please show what you used?

cliffa · Wednesday at 1:43 AM

I was under the impression that drive cables should not be oiled or greased, but lubricated with graphite.

Nortoniggy · Wednesday at 6:02 AM

Lorenzo said:
can you please show what you used?

I have used both of these at various times.

Bicycle Dry Weather Lube

Bio Dry Lube is a versatile, dry weather oil with state-of-the-art penetrative qualities to ensure the lube is driven deep into each chain link’s core.

muc-off.com

Finish Line - Bicycle Lubricants and Care ProductsDry Lube

www.finishlineusa.com

They do say for chains but they work well on speedo cables.

I currently use the Muc Off one on some other cables. It seems to be just right for throttle cables particularly.

Mart UK · Wednesday at 7:29 AM

cliffa said:
I was under the impression that drive cables should not be oiled or greased, but lubricated with graphite.

Not sure why? I replaced mine 5,000 miles ago. As LAB said, I put a light coat of usual automotive grease around the cable. Used the same in the speedo drive on the axle. Avoided the top 6 inches of the cable, to avoid getting anything into the speedo unit. Working fine, so far.

cliffa · Wednesday at 12:51 PM

Mart UK said:
Not sure why? I replaced mine 5,000 miles ago. As LAB said, I put a light coat of usual automotive grease around the cable. Used the same in the speedo drive on the axle. Avoided the top 6 inches of the cable, to avoid getting anything into the speedo unit. Working fine, so far.

Presumably for the same reason you shouldn’t use grease or oil in locks. - They will eventually dry out or create a dirty slime. However it seems most folks just use grease anyway.

Tornado · Thursday at 10:23 AM

cliffa said:
I was under the impression that drive cables should not be oiled or greased, but lubricated with graphite.

Watch out with graphite aerosol spray, that stuff gets everwhere and seems to take days to get it out from fingerprints....gotta becareful not to commit any crimes for a few days after, the rozzers will be all over you in no time....

Torontonian · Friday at 4:32 PM

Tornado said:
Watch out with graphite aerosol spray, that stuff gets everwhere and seems to take days to get it out from fingerprints....gotta becareful not to commit any crimes for a few days after, the rozzers will be all over you in no time....

I use a puff bottle ( small ) of bicycle graphite . No pressurized sprays .

Problem with Speedo instrument flickering

Nortoniggy

Ron Hulton

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L.A.B.

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ludwig

Lorenzo

cliffa

Nortoniggy

Bicycle Dry Weather Lube

Finish Line - Bicycle Lubricants and Care ProductsDry Lube

Mart UK

cliffa

Tornado

Torontonian

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