QuestionWhen my front tire kept going soft, then flat last week, I looked for a local shop to replace/repair it, cause soapy water poured over the tread and valve stem didn't reveal a trail of bubbles. The lccal Yamaha shop agreed to try, though they warned me that they were NOT a Honda dealer or repair shop. Hey, a tire's a tire, right?
The repair manager immediately recognised that it was an inner tube problem, and after looking about on their shelf, matched an 18 inch tube that they had left over. They agreed to replace it.
They also noticed that the HONDA dealer who had installed the original front tire, had mounted it backwards, ignoring the arrow indicating direction of rotation.
As I had had no problems prior, they thought it should be turned around when they did the inner tube. Total bill: %66.95
When I left the shop, I don't recall any problem with the speedometer. I rode one mile home, shaved, showered, dressed for work and drove the bike another mile farther to the expressway. On the accelleration ramp, I noticed I had NO speed indication. And the odometer wasn't rolling. I leaned carefully and observed the cable housing had pulled away from the hub of the bike.
I quickly decided to continue to work, as I could match my speed to other traffic, and I knew I had only put 45 miles on the 3 gallon tankful... and could make two round trips to work before running out.
Upon arriving at work, I examined the end of the cable and found NO SQUARE CABLE inside. I immediately called the Yamaha shop and informed the repair tech of my problem. He said bring it in the next morning and they'd see what they could do.
How likely is it that a tire repair/replacement might have damaged a speedometer cable. Given that the bike is almost 30 years old, and I got it used 4 years ago, how long should a speedometer cable last? I have put 11,000 miles on the bike over three years of 40 mile commuting twice a week.
Should I attempt to replace the cable if the shop refuses?
I honestly don't recall if I had any speedometer when I drove away from the shop, or at home.
The repair tech agrees the cable is missing, but doubts that they did anything. He doubts they could get a Honda part, but offered to look around on their shelf for something. Should I buy the aftermarket replacement off the internet for $13 and install it myself?
Please advise. This is a new one on me!
T
AnswerMost probably they left the speedometer cable unconnected at the hub, and when you started riding the inner cable fell out. Buy a replacement and fit it yourself. It's an easy job, providing the locking screw has not been lost, where it locks into the hub.
Good luck, Jan
