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Speedo cable leaking oil

  • Thread starter Thread starter J2Bs
  • Start date Start date
J

J2Bs

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Hi all. For a while my TACH cable has been leaking oil and it's now starting to annoy me as I use he bike more. Does this happen a lot and is there an easy fix, or should I just replace the cable. If it's replacing the cable, how straightforward is this to do?

i have a '77 GS750 E.
Thanks for your guidance!
 
Last edited:
Can you explain a bit more about how it's leaking oil? There isn't any oil in the speedometer cable, gauge, or gear although some oil does sit behind the tachometer gear
 
Speedo cable...? from the front wheel...?

You had the bike long?

THe cable inside the sheath should be lightly greased, but maybe someone dumped a lot of oil into it.

.
 
Tach, not speedo!

Tach, not speedo!

Hi Redman and cowboyup3371, seems I got a bit confused, and it's the tach, not speedo (DUH), and it looks like it's leaking from the head.
I saw this (for an 850, which I assume is similar?) and it looks pretty darn fiddly. Is this the same fix as I need, and anyone done it and can make any recommendations?
 
J2Bs said:
Hi all. For a while my TACH cable has been leaking oil and it's now starting to annoy me as I use he bike more. Does this happen a lot and is there an easy fix, or should I just replace the cable. If it's replacing the cable, how straightforward is this to do?

i have a '77 GS750 E.
Thanks for your guidance!
Click to expand...

likely the problem lies here no 27 & 28 require renewing fairly common problem. One retaining screw and prize unit out change seals and reinstall.
 
I've got to do this on my 'G', thanks for the reminder and heads up on the fix ye all.
 
J2Bs said:
Hi all. For a while my TACH cable has been leaking oil and it's now starting to annoy me as I use he bike more. Does this happen a lot and is there an easy fix, or should I just replace the cable. If it's replacing the cable, how straightforward is this to do?

i have a '77 GS750 E.
Thanks for your guidance!
Click to expand...

Just a note from one of my tach sleeve repairs, they can be really stubborn to remove. I successfully pulled one out without problems but on another bike the sleeve broke off in the head. Pull, wiggle and pry CAREFULLY! Don't panic if it breaks though it will come out......eventually!

Another note if your valves are due for an inspection it might be helpful to do these at the same time. I found it beneficial to pull off the right side engine cover and rotate the crank a half a turn to install the tach cable. There may be an easier way but that worked for me.
 
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Thank you all for your helpful recommendations. Looks like I'll get a couple of new seals and very carefully pry it out.
cheers!
 
J2Bs said:
I saw this (for an 850, which I assume is similar?) and it looks pretty darn fiddly. Is this the same fix as I need, and anyone done it and can make any recommendations?
Click to expand...
If you think THAT is "pretty darn fiddly", you may as well sell the bike NOW and get something that is maintenance-free. :-k

Yep, these bikes are averaging 35+ years old, and some of the rubber seals on them are probably still original, meaning that they are pretty worn out by now. Once you have the parts on-hand, that is about a 10-15 minute job, not exactly what I would call "fiddly".

.
 
Steve said:
If you think THAT is "pretty darn fiddly", you may as well sell the bike NOW and get something that is maintenance-free. :-k

Yep, these bikes are averaging 35+ years old, and some of the rubber seals on them are probably still original, meaning that they are pretty worn out by now. Once you have the parts on-hand, that is about a 10-15 minute job, not exactly what I would call "fiddly".

.
Click to expand...

Hey fella, I'm quite new to my GS and want to learn more about how to maintain it. We don't all have a great set of maintenance experience at hand, and one person's not fiddly in another's learning curve.
 
Last edited:
J2Bs said:
Hey fella, I'm quite new to my GS and want to learn more about how to maintain it. We don't all have a great set of maintenance experience at hand, and one person's not fiddly in another's learning curve.
Click to expand...

"Hey fella" LMAO
 
Ok. It was a doddle to swap out; the tach sleeve slid out with some gentle encouragement and I changed the seals (#'s 27 and 28), but alas the exact same leak persists :-(
Is there anything else I can check or replace?
 
J2Bs said:
Ok. It was a doddle to swap out; the tach sleeve slid out with some gentle encouragement and I changed the seals (#'s 27 and 28), but alas the exact same leak persists :-(
Is there anything else I can check or replace?
Click to expand...

Did the drive gear have a groove worn into the smooth part of the shaft? That may prevent a good seal.
 
IMG_6288.jpg
Burque73 said:
Did the drive gear have a groove worn into the smooth part of the shaft? That may prevent a good seal.
Click to expand...

Hi Roger, and others.
Yes, I think you could say there is somewhat of a groove. Guess I'll replace it and see what happens. I'm checking the breather hose too, to ensure it does breath and isn't blocked.
Thanks for your guidance all.
 
That tachometer drive is shot and needs to be replaced. You should be able to still use the seals you replaced.
 
J2Bs said:
View attachment 50751

Hi Roger, and others.
Yes, I think you could say there is somewhat of a groove. Guess I'll replace it and see what happens. I'm checking the breather hose too, to ensure it does breath and isn't blocked.
Thanks for your guidance all.
Click to expand...

That is a problem that has come up on this forum a whole bunch of times and also with the two most recent GS's I've owned. It sure is nice to have this GSR group, Basscliff's site and tutorials on repairs like Bwringer (in post #5 here) has prepared. Here's another resource from Mr Bwringer that's chock full of goodies! I should have mentioned all of that in the first place, but better late than never.

Cheers!
 
Burque73 said:
That is a problem that has come up on this forum a whole bunch of times and also with the two most recent GS's I've owned. It sure is nice to have this GSR group, Basscliff's site and tutorials on repairs like Bwringer (in post #5 here) has prepared. Here's another resource from Mr Bwringer that's chock full of goodies! I should have mentioned all of that in the first place, but better late than never.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Thanks again Roger. Indeed, I've been savouring Bwringer's site (and following some tips) but Bassiff's is new.
Over the weekend I attached the breather hose (that was only attached to the crank case) to the air filter and the leak from the tach cable has gone. I assume the attachment to the air filter is helping the breather do what it's supposed to and the pressure no longer needs to escape from the tach driver.
I replace the tach driver anyway. Is it recommended to replace the sleeve at the same time?
 
That's great, no more leak! There was some discussion in another thread within the last week about the breather if you're interested to read it.

Surely you saw the shop service manuals on Cliff's page. I'd see if there's a recommended interval to change out that sleeve listed. Personally, if the seals fit tight and there's no slop while spinning it in my hand I'd just change the drive gear and seals. Plus, the oil leak is gone so there's a good sign it's still ok.
 
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