Speedo not working most of the time!

[Tx Bohemian]

On my '99 Standard the Speedometer works only about 1/5th of the time.
When it does work 1/2 the time it gets to 25-30mph then falls to 0.
The next time it will work properly until I come to a stop, then it won't work at all!

The cable was binding enough to where it wouldn't spin, so I changed the complete cable and housing.

Still worked only some of the time.

Noticed the speedo "bull" gear (or whatever the big one is called) at the wheel had a worn spot so I changed that too.

Did not improve.

I can "hand" spin the front wheel but can only get to about 5mph.
If I hook a battery powered drill on the cable at the wheel it will get the speedo up to 15 mph and an electric drill to about 25 mph.
But as I stated previously soon after that it drops to 0. (don't see where spinning it with a drill or the wheel, such as on the road, would affect that but maybe there's something I'm missing).

Anybody have a similar issue or ideas?

To me it's pointing to the speedo being bad. The bike has 28k miles.

[da prez]

Possible bad speedo head . Check at the cable connection  to make sure it is seated . You can also pull the head and drive it directly. Possible rounded out connection where the cable goes in.

                                   da prez

[hubcapsc]

Here's a simple thing to try, it won't hurt anything...

Run it around to all zeroes... then do it again... several times...

Then see how it works...

-Mike

[Tx Bohemian]

Thanks for the info.

I'll ck out the suggestions.

 Planning about a 200 mile trip this W/E so not gonna have time for a lot (like removing and disassembly speedo).
Guess I'll just have to follow the others. (DANG IT!!)

I can definitely try the "Zero" thing.

In the place where the bike is kept there are a lot of Mud Dauber wasps, which if anyone has these knows they build nests pretty much anywhere. I'm wondering if one didn't get in the housing somehow. Or maybe some kinda bug...

[Gryphon Rider]

Thanks for the info.

I'll ck out the suggestions.

 Planning about a 200 mile trip this W/E so not gonna have time for a lot (like removing and disassembly speedo).
Guess I'll just have to follow the others. (DANG IT!!)

I can definitely try the "Zero" thing.

In the place where the bike is kept there are a lot of Mud Dauber wasps, which if anyone has these knows they build nests pretty much anywhere. I'm wondering if one didn't get in the housing somehow. Or maybe some kinda bug...

In the meantime use a speedometer app with your smart phone.  I've used an old phone and slipped it under the clear window of my tank bag.

[lcombs]

I had the same trouble with my 1998 standard speedometer. I replaced the cable. Still didn't work right. Tried to find someone who would work on or repair it. Due to the chrome ring being pressed on around the glass front no one would touch  it. One repair shop said if i could remove the ring around the glass they could repair it. I carefully tried to remove it ended up glass broke. It ended up in the trash can. I wasted a lot of time on the old speedometer. Purchased a new one for $130. I did take pictures of the old on still on the bike showing 24,000 miles before I tried to take it apart. The new speedometer works perfect. Not sure what will happen when I sell the bike some day.