Speedo accuracy.

[SPARKSS]

The dealer had said it was running fast and would not issue a certification because of it.

How would you go about checking accuracy short of having a radar gun?
I
Spyug.[/QUOTE]

A speedometer reading fast is safe at least! I can't imagine that a dealer would even take the time to know that firstly, and secondly imagine why they'd care.

You can check your speedo basically by checking your odometer reading through a measured km or even better by checking the measured distance between 2 known points say 10 or even 20km apart. This assumes that the speedo doesn't jump or otherwise show signs of binding, and is based on the odometer being geared to the same input.

You can double check the above by taking the time to calculate the rpm required to drive the rear tire to a certain speed and see if the speedo (on the front wheel) agrees with that. You'll need to know the transmission ratios ( or at least the one you'll use to check in) , the sprockets ratio and the circumference of that rear tire and the rest is pretty easy. I can help if needed.

Thirdly, you could find a police radar check and ask if they'd check you at some speed below the posted while you hold it as steady as you can. All you can do is ask!

No matter what, at faster speeds, tires "grow" in diameter (and thus circumference) slightly.....heat, pressure and tire wear affect this slightly so high accuracy over time is not going to happen. Not too bad at all reading just a little fast.

[spyug]

Sparkss, You bring up a good point about their concern. I asked him and his answer was pretty cut and dry. You don't know what speed you are riding at period. You can't fight city hall can you.

I managed to get the fairing off and pulled the cable from the gauge and lubed it this morning. After lunch I'm going to check it against my son's GPS to see what I'm running.

Tomorrow, I'm going to go see my regular wrench ( who is back from vacation) and see what he says. I might have to get it into him but if I do it will likely be another week or two before I see it again as he is super busy. I guess I've been waiting long enough so another week or two isn't going to kill me.

I'll let you all know what transpires.

Cheers,
Spyug

[twistedwankel]

How would you go about checking accuracy short of having a radar gun?
I'm not sure now how to proceed.

Use mile markers and run at what you think is 60mph while checking your watch or get really accurate and use the stopwatch feature of your Timex. If accurate you should hit one minute exactly. Difference in either direction will give you the percentage of error as to fast or slow.

OR. Simply follow someone in a car at 60MPH and see what your speedo reads. If they are the same within 1 or 2 mph that's about all you can do for accuracy. Most all speedo will read a little fast brand new.

[spchips]

Simple Solution:

Remove the cluster, and take it back.

Motorcycles are not required to have any guages (at least in massachusetts). all that is for "informational purposes only" and not necessary.

Once it's "certified" (I still don't fully understand this as I have never taken a vehicle to a dealer for repairs) you can put the guages back on if you like.

[spyug]

I wish it were that simple but in Ontario for a mechanical fitness certificate, the motorcycle must be fitted as it came from the factory and all devices must function correctly. Some mechanics will turn a blind eye to some stuff but then you get others that are by the book. I have a by the book guy in this situation.

I didn't get a chance to test it against GPS yesterday so I'm planning on that for after supper today. If the speedo is still off I was thinking of going to a bicycle computer which I believe would satisfy them.

I'll let you know how it goes.

cheers,
Spyug.

[mf70]

It is possible to "calibrate" a speedo with home tools. I had to do this with a Volvo when I replaced the speedo gage needle..

1. On the vehicle, make sure that the basic gearing is about right, ie, if you travel ten miles you get ten miles on the odometer.
2. Take the speedo cable off the bike and chuck it (clamp it) in a variable speed drill. The drill has to have the ability to be set on at any speed.
3. Slowly increase the speed until you are clicking off one mile in 60 seconds on the odometer. The indicator should be reading 60MPH. The operating principal of a speedo is magnetic "drag" pulling the needle against a spring.
4. If it isn't, you'll have to excavate inside the meter. There are two possibilities.
   1. The needle needs to be moved.
   2. The biasing spring is rusted, bent, etc. (unlikely)
5. While you're in there, set the mileage to whatever you want (just kidding!).

Reading 80 when doing 30 sounds like the aluminum shell is dragging on the needle shaft.

[spyug]

Many thanks MF70. this is almost word for word what I was told this morning by my regular wrench.

Not being too satisfied with this situation , I went down to speak with Brian at Ultimate Cycle. I've been dealing with Brian for years and trust him for the honest scoop. He was on vacation when I first got the bike and his shop was overloaded with work so I took it to my locally Yammie dealer who is just a few blocks from me. Brian tells me alot of the certification process is left up to the mechanic writing the cert.. His understanding of the ministery guidlines is that the mileage recorded must be accurate but the speedometer part of things is a "nice to know". Like me, he feels that an optomistic (i.e. reads faster) speedo is safer than a sluggish one.

I've cleaned and lubed the gearbox and the cable so I'm thinking things must be wacko in the speedo itself. I am going to time it against a GPS this afternoon and if it is still weird then I'll try your procedure.

I can't believe the hoops I'm jumping through on this. It just goes to show, you can never tell how easy a project will be to get road worthy. I was pretty certain this was going to be a snap. I still think I got a great bike for a decent price so I'm still happy. I'd be ecstatic if I could ride it a for more than the 1/2 mile to the dealer.

Its getting closer I think.

Cheers all,
Spyug.

[argonsagas]

The final, and official, word on this subject, courtesy the Ontario Government:

(Let us never think they are quick in responding to the public)


Carrier Safety and Enforcement Branch
3rd Floor, 301 St. Paul Street
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7R4

October 12, 2007

Dear Mr. Martin:

Thank you for your e-mail of July 17, 2007, regarding accuracy of speedometers. The Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Transportation, has asked me to respond to you on her behalf. I welcome the opportunity to respond.

Motor vehicles in the Province of Ontario must pass a visual safety inspection before a registration can be transferred from one person to another. The safety inspection is comprised of a minimum set of standards found in Regulation 611 of the Highway Traffic Act. One section of the regulation addresses speedometers in saying “The speedometer shall be tested by driving the vehicle and the speedometer shall be in good working order”. A general mechanic would not possess the equipment to gauge the accuracy of the speedometer but, only has to verify that it works. Also, some motor vehicles that are to be transferred are not licensed for the road. As a result, the road test of the vehicle may be confined to the parking lot of the inspection station. This short road test will indicate if the speedometer works but, will not be a long enough test to indicate its accuracy.

If you have any further questions regarding the Motor Vehicle Inspection Program please contact Doug Reece at (905) 704-2885. He will be pleased to assist you.

Thank you for your interest in the safety of Ontario’s roads.

Yours truly,

Original signed by…


Peter Hurst
Director

c: The Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Transportation

[Greg O.]

You can use a GPS or get on a highway that has mile markers, ride for 10 miles at a steady speed, and do the math.

Greg O.