Speedo Cable

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Duccout
Posts: 1520
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2020 1:20 pm
Location: Essex UK

Speedo Cable

Postby Duccout » Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:42 pm

Here is a convoluted tale: when I bought my 250 Mototrans the Speedo was not working, which I traced to the drive gear being worn and not engaging with the ring gear on the hub. I bought a new (pattern) drive gear and a new cable from Nigel, but still no speedo, traced to the cable being a loose fit in the square end of the drive gear.... I had a cable inner made-up by Carrot Cycles with a larger square end and all was well. Fast forward and the cable is again a loose fit in the drive gear and not turning properly.

I have several inner cables and some are a tight fit in the drive gear and some loose, even though they all measure the same (2,6mm) across the flats. Carrot Cycles have retired and I can't find anyone who can make a square end on a cable.... My options seem to be try to find a used, original speedo drive shaft, or maybe see if one of the cable manufacturers can make an inner cable which is a good fit in the drive shaft that I have. I don't see any way of reducing the size of the hole in the shaft.

So, any ideas?

Thanks,

Colin

Bevel bob
Posts: 1108
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:01 am
Location: Bromley Kent UK.

Re: Speedo Cable

Postby Bevel bob » Thu Nov 13, 2025 8:04 pm

Try JJ cables .

Duccout
Posts: 1520
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2020 1:20 pm
Location: Essex UK

Re: Speedo Cable

Postby Duccout » Thu Nov 13, 2025 8:47 pm

Hi Bob,

Thank you; I knew that I had seen a small firm that makes cables somewhere.

Cheers,

Colin

DBDBrian
Posts: 221
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:29 pm

Re: Speedo Cable

Postby DBDBrian » Thu Nov 13, 2025 10:17 pm

Dave at JJ cables is your man, just made me a one off speedo cable for my Mondial. He has all the various metric fittings.
Brian
Made in England

Jordan
Posts: 1499
Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:29 am

Re: Speedo Cable

Postby Jordan » Fri Nov 14, 2025 7:16 am

This tool makes square cable ends. It looks like it's made to be walloped by a big hammer.
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Duccout
Posts: 1520
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2020 1:20 pm
Location: Essex UK

Re: Speedo Cable

Postby Duccout » Fri Nov 14, 2025 7:17 am

That is a hefty bit of kit!

IanHood
Posts: 249
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2022 4:30 pm
Location: Surrey, United Kingdom

Re: Speedo Cable

Postby IanHood » Sat Nov 15, 2025 1:25 pm

Colin,

I had the same problem and resolved it simply by shimming the cable end with strips of aluminium cut from a coke can. Somewhat to my surprise, it has lasted very well and was much more cost effective than a custom cable.

Ian

Adrian
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2025 2:36 pm

Re: Speedo Cable

Postby Adrian » Sat Nov 15, 2025 9:50 pm

Jordan wrote:This tool makes square cable ends. It looks like it's made to be walloped by a big hammer.


Yep, smack it hard with a lump hammer. Back in the mists of time when I was doing my early riding apprenticeship the little motorcycle shops (Thats all there was) I used to rely on to keep me mobile all had one.
Along with a roll of cable and brass collars and another roll of outer cover and the crimp tool to make the ferrule ends for those as well.

blethermaskite
Posts: 598
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2018 1:06 am
Location: Scotland

Re: Speedo Cable

Postby blethermaskite » Sun Nov 16, 2025 9:54 am

As Ian suggested, I have had 'years' of use on a 'small' square end speedo cable by shimming it out with very thin tin can square wrapped around the driven end. Cheers George


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