86 Honda Elite 250 speedometer problem

[Darren]

Just trailered my bike back from the Scooter Royale rally at South Lake
Tahoe, and now I see that the speedometer and odometer aren't working.
It must be related to the cable, as the panel still cycles through
111/222/333 etc when I turn the key on so the readout works.

I have a service manual but it only mentions the cable in passing.
There's no "here's how to remove, inspect, and replace the speedometer
cable" instruction, which is what I need because I'm not very
mechanically inclined.

Might someone have done this and can offer some instructions, or point
the way to a resource that would be helpful?

Thank you.

[paul c]

A couple of common causes are 1) broken cable (due to rust or lack of
lubrication over the years), you can usually test this by detaching the
cable at both ends then turning it with your fingers, although it's a
bit of a bother to get at the nut at the instrument cluster end 2) loose
attachment at the hub, eg., loose set screw which happened to me twice
after tire changes, it's a quite delicate connection between the gear
that runs off the axle and the cable, most ch250's are quite old so have
had a few brake pad and tire changes. If you don't know how to undo a
Phillips screw without damaging it, I'd advise to get a friend who does
take a look. If the cable is bum, I believe they are still available
from dealers, I've bought two in the last five years for about CAD 15.
When re-attaching at the hub, make sure the cable end is pressed in
firmly while turning the wheel gently, you can feel the gear make
contact, then tighten the screw (best to use an inch-pound torque wrench
if you aren't experienced). It's easy to test a new cable without
riding, just put the scoot on centre stand, turn the ignition on and
turn the wheel by hand, you'll see it hit 4 or 5 kph/2 or 3 mph without
spinning it very fast.

[Darren]

I'll certainly give that a try. Thank you very much. That's certainly
more information that was in the service manual!

[R. LaCasse]

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:18:51 GMT, paul c <toledob...@oohay.ac> wrote:

|>Darren wrote:
|>> Just trailered my bike back from the Scooter Royale rally at South Lake
|>> Tahoe, and now I see that the speedometer and odometer aren't working.
|>> It must be related to the cable, as the panel still cycles through
|>> 111/222/333 etc when I turn the key on so the readout works.
|>>
|>> I have a service manual but it only mentions the cable in passing.
|>> There's no "here's how to remove, inspect, and replace the speedometer
|>> cable" instruction, which is what I need because I'm not very
|>> mechanically inclined.
|>>
|>> Might someone have done this and can offer some instructions, or point
|>> the way to a resource that would be helpful?
|>>
|>> Thank you.
|>

|>attachment at the hub, eg., loose set screw which happened to me twice
|>after tire changes, it's a quite delicate connection between the gear
|>that runs off the axle and the cable, most ch250's are quite old so have

That's a very common problem with it, and the plastic speedometer
drive gear always needs some white grease and oil at the lower speedometer
cable fitting...flood it from the outside (lower speedo cable/drive gear
tang) with a pressure can of white grease and oil......they can be stubborn
just before they seize up.

|>firmly while turning the wheel gently, you can feel the gear make
|>contact, then tighten the screw (best to use an inch-pound torque wrench
|>if you aren't experienced). It's easy to test a new cable without
|>riding, just put the scoot on centre stand, turn the ignition on and
|>turn the wheel by hand, you'll see it hit 4 or 5 kph/2 or 3 mph without
|>spinning it very fast.

The cable is hard to replace under the display panel, and the only
cable you get is a Helix CN250, which is a bit shorter than the stock Elite
CH250, it has to be rerouted off the main harness guide...

Bob