Has anybody got a good picture of the speedo to gearbox junction? I don't really understand how this can be water/dusttight. Maybe I'm missing a part? Speedo goes into the tranny with a rubber over it which is not secured in any way. speedo cable secured with the same screw as did hold the battery negative. Now the threads are shot so guess I have to do something there.. I've put a lot of grease in the hole down there but I'm not really confident. Sorry no pics at the time.
Thanks for any input!
Cheers
Speedo cable to gearbox
Speedo cable to gearbox
Hal
'74 R90/6
'97 R850R
'74 R90/6
'97 R850R
-
- Posts: 1657
- Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:08 pm
Re: Speedo cable to gearbox
Hal -
That joint is not water tight...in fact, if water travels down the cable and into the oil, it will come out coffee colored when drained. Water can wick down the cable. The boot should be secured via a lip on the input housing to the tranny. Ways to keep water out include filling the boot with grease, spreading some kind of sealant where cable enteries the boot, and using a small plastic zip tie to squeeze the rubber bott securely around the cable.
Kurt in S.A.
That joint is not water tight...in fact, if water travels down the cable and into the oil, it will come out coffee colored when drained. Water can wick down the cable. The boot should be secured via a lip on the input housing to the tranny. Ways to keep water out include filling the boot with grease, spreading some kind of sealant where cable enteries the boot, and using a small plastic zip tie to squeeze the rubber bott securely around the cable.
Kurt in S.A.
Re: Speedo cable to gearbox
I've heard of that lip before...don't understand - the boot is there on the cable yeah, but the tranny is flat - there's no lip to get the boot around. My tranny is a replacement from motobins, changed it after mine locked up in speed just after I got the bike..not pleasent..Anyway, the oil then had water in it. I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow. Is this lip replaceable or a part of the tranny?
Hal
'74 R90/6
'97 R850R
'74 R90/6
'97 R850R
-
- Posts: 1657
- Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:08 pm
Re: Speedo cable to gearbox
Here's what that lip should look like:

From Duane Ausherman's website.
Kurt in S.A.
From Duane Ausherman's website.
Kurt in S.A.
Re: Speedo cable to gearbox
Thanks Kurt!
My tranny is missing the bushing. I'll have a look in the box with the wrecked oold tranny to see if it's there.
My tranny is missing the bushing. I'll have a look in the box with the wrecked oold tranny to see if it's there.
Hal
'74 R90/6
'97 R850R
'74 R90/6
'97 R850R
-
- Posts: 1657
- Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:08 pm
Re: Speedo cable to gearbox
Welcome...hopefully you can find it... Look near the bottom of this page...Duane talks about that insert.
http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/trans/index.htm
I visited Norway back in the 90s...all I learned of Norwegian was to say "thousan takk" when in the local stores buying my soft drink!! I really enjoyed touring the country and getting over to the west coast.
Kurt in S.A.
http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/trans/index.htm
I visited Norway back in the 90s...all I learned of Norwegian was to say "thousan takk" when in the local stores buying my soft drink!! I really enjoyed touring the country and getting over to the west coast.
Kurt in S.A.
Re: Speedo cable to gearbox
If you can get some wide electrical shrink stuff to cover the top part of the rubber boot, you might get a neater look whilst gaining a good seal.
Too much grease down in the bushing might block the breather. Keep the grease to within the boot if you can.
Replacement bushings are black plastic, and I found it difficult to make the boot fit around the bushing, and at the top around the cable.
Too much grease down in the bushing might block the breather. Keep the grease to within the boot if you can.
Replacement bushings are black plastic, and I found it difficult to make the boot fit around the bushing, and at the top around the cable.
Cheers, Steve
Victoria, S.E.Oz.
1982 R100RSR100RS supergallery. https://boxerboy81.smugmug.com/R100RS
2006 K1200R.
1994 R1100GS.
Victoria, S.E.Oz.
1982 R100RSR100RS supergallery. https://boxerboy81.smugmug.com/R100RS
2006 K1200R.
1994 R1100GS.
Re: Speedo cable to gearbox
I used a new rubber boot and a small black zip-tie around the top.
Looks OK and seems to work.
Looks OK and seems to work.
I've spent most of my money on women, motorcycles, and beer.
The rest of it I just wasted.
The rest of it I just wasted.
Re: Speedo cable to gearbox
I used the old one and a too big shrimptube..didn't work too well and the heat ruined a bit of blackthing around the wire. a bit uncareful caused by the fact I have a new speedowire I'm planning to change to.. Small zip-tie it will be.
thanks!

thanks!
Hal
'74 R90/6
'97 R850R
'74 R90/6
'97 R850R