Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
Airhead speedometer failure Airhead speedometer failure
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Moto Phoenix

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 22 Apr 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 564
Airhead speedometer failure
The speedo for my 1986 R80 is bouncing around above about 50mph and showing as if I were doing around 160mph. I know what you must be thinking - the R80 is good. it is good, but not that good.

So I am entering the world of second hand speedo and there is a variety to choose from but none with the right ratio - 737 (it reads it km/h) - and certainly none that are at a reasonable price. So I am thinking of going down the replacement route and getting a digital speedo / tacho combo from Motorworks - specifically an Acewell-258 speedometer/multifunction computer with S11 2 valve gearbox sensor (£110). I am not after original looks but a functional motorbike. I could carry on with the speed as it is but at some point it is really going to give up the ghost.

Does anyone have any experience of the Acewell unit? Tips etc.

TIA
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Apr 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
I have no personal experience but I expect someone here has.
https://advrider.com/f/forums/airheads.85/
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Apr 2019
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,334
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Benson View Post
The speedo for my 1986 R80 is bouncing around above about 50mph and showing as if I were doing around 160mph. I know what you must be thinking - the R80 is good. it is good, but not that good.

So I am entering the world of second hand speedo and there is a variety to choose from but none with the right ratio - 737 (it reads it km/h) - and certainly none that are at a reasonable price. So I am thinking of going down the replacement route and getting a digital speedo / tacho combo from Motorworks - specifically an Acewell-258 speedometer/multifunction computer with S11 2 valve gearbox sensor (£110). I am not after original looks but a functional motorbike. I could carry on with the speed as it is but at some point it is really going to give up the ghost.

Does anyone have any experience of the Acewell unit? Tips etc.

TIA

FIRST of course - check your speedo cable - that's usually the reason they bounce all over the place - it's rarely the speedo. Cable gets a bit dry, sticks a bit, and the needle drops, then it unsticks and kicks up and the needle bounces up. Pull the cable, drown the shaft innards and the cable in WD-40, give it a really good wipe down, then a good light oil and you should be good to go for many years.


Hope that helps!
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Apr 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 564
i will give it a try. The cable was replaced last year but I didn’t lube it at all - I was under the impression that BMW cables shouldn’t be lubed. I did partially strip the cable down and it seems to turn OK at low speeds by hand. Still as it is nice and warm, dry and a bank holiday it would be rude not to take the opportunity to go for an extended ride “just to test out the repair”.

I’m just going out, I may be some time.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22 Apr 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 564
Grant, thanks for the tip.

There seems to be an improvement but it is still bouncing once I get over about 50mph but instead of going straight to 240+km/h it works it way there over the next 15mph - sorry for mixing the units up.

I will give it another go tomorrow and use a very light oil - sewing machine oil if I can get some as the oil I used wasn’t especilly light. I will flush the cable sheath out with WD40 (fortunately I buy 5 litre containers of WD40 to use at work). Fingers crossed it makes the difference.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 May 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colchester, Essex
Posts: 81
Speedo repair
This guy advertises in Old Bike Mart that he repairs speedometers, including German ones.

Peter Bond

Home

Don’t know anything about him, just seen the advert.
__________________
You look at where you're going and where you are and it never makes sense, but then you look back at where you've been and a pattern seems to emerge. (Pirsig)
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
BMW airhead mechanic needed in California or Western US mark manley North America 3 4 May 2018 22:57
External Speedometer for MSVA rory_gibson Bodger Fix 5 15 Feb 2018 06:13
Digital speedometer Growmore Yamaha Tech 15 13 Oct 2017 13:33
R1200 GS ABS Failure Quandary BMW Tech 13 10 Mar 2014 06:56
Speedometer ok but miles pilling up faster :( manafas Yamaha Tech 16 25 Jul 2012 09:24

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:09.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top