Clean & Lubricate Speedometer Cable - CB450SC Motorcycle

I cleaned and lubricated the speedo cable of my Honda Nighthawk CB450SC because the speedometer needle was bouncing ever since I bought it. I thought it would solve the issue, however, it was still bouncing after I thoroughly cleaned it.
Anyway, it is still a good procedure to follow for those who don't know how to do it. If you liked this video, please hit that like button or better yet, hit that subscribe button. Ride safe and thanks for watching!
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[@joelernstes3439]

This was super helpful. My 1985 Kawasaki Vulcan 700 speedo cable started screaming whenever I got above 5mph. Took it off, cleaned it, and now its running smooth. Thank you!!

[@futureproofd]

Same issue with "screaming" and needle jumping on my xs400. Cleaning the cables will be my first step in diagnostics. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@briancarter8092]

I've got what looks like the same speedometer on my '81 XL500s. It starts bouncing and squealing something awful. What I did was remove the speedo and slowly dribble 3 in 1 oil into the cable opening while spinning the gauge with a small file to let it penetrate deep into the worn bushing. Keep it upside down overnight to aid the penetration process. Reinstall and enjoy. Thanks for the video, I'll do my cable too.

[@borislavvjatcheslavovich4419]

Thank you, I am having this issue with my '86 Rebel. Screaming after reaching 45mph

[@acoustictie8907]

My "81 Honda trail started screaming at me yesterday, hopefully this fixes it

[@arguingwithstupidpeople2047]

My old Honda speedo setup is identical. I plan to put some actual speedometer cable lube on it. Thanks for the video.

[@philippepemberton6001]

This was so insanely informative and well edited. I didn’t notice it at first but the subtle background music really made the video much more enjoyable. Thank you for this!

[@NathanFontaine1]

My motorcyle gauge was making a wining sound and doing this fixed it thanks!

[@JanAndHenk]

Nice to see how thorough you work. Please remember (next time) to wipe the upper 4 inches (below the speedo) of the inner cable clean before assembly, so the lubriicant can not work its way up to and in the instrument, which will ruin it (and probably let it bounce). This applies to normal grease anyways, do not know how your modern silicone stuff behaves.

[@thruxt0677]

JanAndHenk dam I wish I found your comment earlier. Thanks for sharing that link

[@perotekku]

Also, I generally like to run dry, graphite lubricant in all my cable drives. Anything "liquid", like silicone can trap dust and grit, and abrade the speedo. Silicone is nice because it repels water, but I just clean them more frequently and use graphite

[@cosmicbird1850]

Glad I found your comment. Yesterday, my needle began to flutter between 25 mph and 37 mph. I'll try the graphite this morning.@@perotekku

[@kjlloyd424]

Thx for your video. I don't have a motorcycle, but you showed me how to lubricate my cars speedometer cable. Your video helped me a lot! Thanks :)

[@Brownbrady]

That's awesome. I'm glad the video helped you clean your car's speedometer cable. Thanks for watching.

[@kjlloyd424]

The speedometer cable snapped in my 92 tercel so I bought a new cable. I knew I needed to lube it but didn't know how I found a video where the guy just sprayed some snuff in one end of the cable so i tried that installed it and my speedo worked again but the needle was bouncing all over the place. I searched for more videos, which there wasn't really any but I came across yours with the motorcycle and when you pulled the cable from its sleeve I had my answer. Thx so much!

[@Brownbrady]

kjlloyd424 Well, I learned something new from you today. I didn't know cars' speedo's worked the same way :)

[@bwahbwah22]

How did you end up fixing the bouncing speedo needle?

[@xzx4020]

Brown Brady I suggest you test out the speedo with a drill attached to the cable if that don't work replace both speedometer and the cable if that doesn't work replace your speed sensor and if still no luck replace your speed gear down on the transmission those are the only things that control your cable

[@coffeewolf]

very helpful tip, i had never knew the cable could be removed from the sleeve XD

[@drg111yt]

Thanks - yes easier to refit by lining-up bottom notch of cable first, then the top square section should align with speedo provided the wheel has not rotated during this operation.

[@su5119]

Wish you would have taken out the speedo gear and cleaned and lubed that too. i recently cleaned my CH250 speedo cable and gear. The grease was old and stiff and was not turning the cable.

[@RCshowmen]

You’re supposed to use molybdenum disulfide grease but if you don’t mind doing this annually silicone is fine.

[@Quadrenaro]

I bought my first bike today, a 1975 Suzuki TC185. Item number one to fix. Item number two is gonna be to replace to tires, but other than that it's looking good.

[@wesleyblanchard359]

Hey brownbrady, loved the video. Very helpful. So if I take out my speedo cable and it's the same size as a new one the problem is with the gear that turns it?

[@texasorginal]

Big help if you are still here on youtube +BrownBrady. I followed your very simple steps today and get my speedo connected again. Haven't tied it yet, but, i'm sure it'll work. Now onto adjusting and cleaning the clutch cable.

[@quentonhill32]

i have an 85 nighthawk 450 and was wondering where you got the rear rack. I got a motorcycle trip with my dad and brothers next year and that rack would be very handy

[@Brownbrady]

Mine already came with one.

[@zxc9884761]

Amazing you makes it super easy

[@Brownbrady]

I hope it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@djlancer88]

Thank you, pretty helpful. my cable locked up somehow and wound up and snapped. Havent worked on it yet though.

[@VeeDubJohn]

So are you thinking that maybe a slight kink in the cable is causing the issue? I suppose you could test the speedo itself by driving it with a drill.

[@Brownbrady]

VeeDubJohn I didn't find any kink on the cable. I think the speedo itself has an issue. I like your drill idea though, thanks for bringing it up. I will try it.

[@choiisac6355]

Thank you~ it's huge helpful for me, Baby Rider CB400

[@bladimirbarriganaranjo9771]

Hola buen día disculpa tengo una honda cm400t pero no funcionan los medidores de velocidad y revoluciones donde podría conseguirlos o repararlo soy de médico

[@jordanbrown773]

Was yours just bouncing? Or was it whining as well? I have a 83 Honda CX650 and I'm having the same issue with the needle jumping, but the whining is so loud and unbearable as well. If you had to replace the whole speedo do you know a good O.E.M site I could find mine? Thanks

[@mordechailevinson8646]

Thanks....

[@mangal.m460]

Fantastic job

[@famous5693]

Yeah, itz helpful

[@daleprice8161]

What was the cleaner and lube u used

[@markdavies2163]

Really helpful Video thanks man

[@rizaldonor2902]

Thank u 4 sharing...new subs here...

[@MarkusReese]

The bounce issue is something else. What there is, is there is a damper pot inside the mechanical gauge. It has an oil that can slowly leak or evaporate. There is some way to refill it, but not something I have done or am familiar with. www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?topic=4735.0 had a discussion on the issue and gives kinda the just of it in a search.

[@Brownbrady]

MarkusReese Hi MarkusReese, I think I will just leave it alone for now and accept it as a part of the bike's character considering it is over 30 years old. :) Thanks for the link.

[@Vlad-1986]

A bit late now, but I have the same problem as you on a RE, and it seems that it was the speedometer gearbox!

[@amycreagh3108]

Do you mind sharing what you had to do to fix the speedometer gearbox? I'm in the same boat.

[@Vlad-1986]

​@@amycreagh3108 Never managed to fix the bouncy gearbox: I simply found out that the minimum number the needle was pointing was the "real" speed, and with he help of my mobile and a speedometer app learnt the actual speed. Did practice for a couple of weeks. pe on my bike 35mph is 30 (28, actually), 50 is exactly 50, 60 is 65 and 70 is 80+ It is weird, but you eventually get used to it. It takes me no extra time to know my speed now.

[@amycreagh3108]

@@Vlad-1986 I see, thx. Mine is totally broke and just has this loud whizzing sound going on. I'm guessing the gearbox/ speedometer rather than the cord but like he says it wouldn't hurt to clean the cord

[@Vlad-1986]

@@amycreagh3108 If they are all mechanical at least it is not too difficult to change, but yeah. Cleaning and lubricating the cord probably won't work, but it is free, and wouldn't hurt.

[@rubenmendez8552]

good video...

[@nekopatterson8868]

Awesome video!.

[@SMgeneral]

nice work

[@sotoking8438]

Hey brown do you git any video on lights because I got a 1984 honda magna 700 and the lights don't work the fuses and bulb is good so any advice would help

[@Brownbrady]

Marco Leguizamo No, I don't have any videos about lights and fuses yet. My advice would be to identify the cause by process of elimination. Is it the battery? Is it the bulb? Is it the fuse? Is it the relay? Is it the wire? You can test for these using a multimeter or by installing them on another bike. Hope that helps, or perhaps another more experienced viewer can help.

[@sotoking8438]

Ok cool thanks

[@RoitanMedia]

Thank you

[@PsychEval]

Yo I got this same bike!

[@xzx4020]

Silicone spray vs grease lubricant?

[@Shaolin9424]

Thanks Man!

[@johnlouiebedonia]

Hi. any tips how to prevent speedometer cable from being broken? my bike replaced cable every 3months or 2. now i gave up. let it not function at all lol.

[@demiankrouwel959]

John Louie Bedonia hi there, late answer. How powerful is your bike? These cables aren’t meant for bikes that can accelerate very fast. Stress tends to snap the cable. Hope this helps. This is why more powerful motorcycles don’t use the cable anymore

[@chrisbrezzy707]

my speedometer isn't working , I took it out used a drill it went up but when I put it back in it wouldn't tell me how fast I'm going , the fork wouldn't move nor capturing miles . please help don't know what to do?!?!

[@Brownbrady]

+heavens wings Somehow, the gear assembly that turns the speedometer cable aren't mating. You need to figure out which end is worn out or broken. If the end looks identical to a brand new cable, then the gear that drives the cable is probably worn out or broken.

[@chrisbrezzy707]

o ok , thanks man , ill eff check it out ,im thinking its the hub , i used the drill before ad it started to go up

[@Brownbrady]

+heavens wings You bet, and good luck.

[@chrisbrezzy707]

nope still doesnt work man

[@evilstalkerhorne]

+heavens wings either one of the connectors is stripped or the cable is broken somewhere. My guess is the inside of the pin on one end or the other is stripped.

[@tybi12]

can I use wd40 for lubrication? what about applying some grease to the ends ?

[@michaelmoorman550]

original WD40 is a water dispersing penetrating oil, not the best product for lubricating motorcycle cables (or lubrication in general). Tri-flo works well. Some also use Maxima chain wax.

[@masonic6688]

Yow bro thanks alot

[@funhalloweenstuff7808]

great video

[@qivarebil2149]

It's called a "center stand", not a rear stand.