[DickieFL]

I have a 95 Kawi ZX-9R, and my speedo is like 15mph off. I cannot figure out why seeing as it is a cable system to the front wheel. No matter what sprocket or whatever should affect it, even moreso, I have stock sprockets. I know from my 4x4 days and whatnot, that you would have to swap the gear out in the diff or tranny for gearing changes.

My needle does not jump around and the error seems pretty linear. Any ideas?

 

[RayOSV]

By "linear" do you mean that it's always off the same amount (15 mph) or it's off by a percentage? I would guess the latter. In any case, if your speedo is driven by the front wheel, you're right, sprocket changes shouldn't matter. How about the front tire size? A 120/70-17 instead of a 120/60-17 would make about a 16% difference toward the high side. Most bike speedos read a little high to begin with. Which direction is your error?

 

[DickieFL]

well let me clarify, mostly linear. It is not that bad under say, 30 mph. But over 30mph it is a very linear 15 mph high. Tire size is factory spec as well.

 

[kevinwilly]

Your speedo cable may be busted. Take it off and play with it. They can rust through pretty easily, if if it's not metal it could be busted and still be making a little bit of contact, enough that it still spins it some.

Or, if you do a wheelie and the front wheel slows down enough, then you land it and speed it up 50mph instantly, they can very easily snap. That, or it's loose where it fits into the drive housing.

 

[DickieFL]

I guess I'll mess with it a little. I don't see how it could be broken though, needle movement is very smooth and is very predictable. The cable is not expensive, so maybe I'll just order a new one. If it doesn't fix it, no harm done, at least the cable will be new.