Gathering speed -- Trust the machine

[SPOFF]

Definitely no software update to this issue, only replacement. I swapped to an LED headlight bulb to help a bit, but as the temperatures rise this summer I assume I'll be in for at least one more speedo replacement after parking in the afternoon sun.

Hopefully the next one will actually fix the issue as I only have this summer and next before my warranty runs out.

I'm not sure the LED bulb will help. They generate a LOT of heat and the micro cooling fan on my bulb blows that heat onto the bottom of the speedo! I got the insane speedo on a day so cold I was running an electric jacket liner. (I may have to switch back to the halogen this summer.) The problem is heat distorts the speedo case. I may remove the "Tripper" plug and replace it with a vintage looking brass screen for ventilation.

 

[Ton-up]

I'm not sure the LED bulb will help. They generate a LOT of heat and the micro cooling fan on my bulb blows that heat onto the bottom of the speedo! I got the insane speedo on a day so cold I was running an electric jacket liner. (I may have to switch back to the halogen this summer.) The problem is heat distorts the speedo case. I may remove the "Tripper" plug and replace it with a vintage looking brass screen for ventilation.

now there’s an idea. That’s where my mind went.

 

[3/4 Ton Jack]

now there’s an idea. That’s where my mind went.

Might as well. My compass won't read true so close to all that metal anyway.

 

[QIbHom]

I am on my fourth speedo (counting the original). Just over a year old. All under warranty. The first time, the guys at the dealership were a bit slow to believe me. Then they saw that the speedo was pegged with the engine off. Told them it read 90 mph when I turned into their drive. The only way I'd get Flea up to 90 mph would be to ride off a cliff.

Also have had the horn replaced once, also under warranty.

 

[Squirrel 66]

My Signals 350 went back to the dealer last week as my speedometer was using 70mph as the 0 (zero) start point. It was impressive as i rode through a village at approximately 30mph but my speedometer was showing approximately 120mph.
It was noticed that the top right hand corner of the speedometer numerical face from 50mph to 73mph had lifted upwards and it was this that had stopped the needle from returning back to the zero stop.
My dealer "Holywood Service Station, Dumfries" was absolutely fantastic. They said that they have had one faulty speedometer that was using 30mph as the zero stop but have never seen this happen before.
They are replacing it under warranty.
Fingers crossed that will be it.

 

[Stephan]

Seems that replacing is not the solution at the moment cause the new ones are the same.
« Same things, in the same conditions give same results ».
So I wait.

 

[3/4 Ton Jack]

Seems that replacing is not the solution at the moment cause the new ones are the same.
« Same things, in the same conditions give same results ».
So I wait.

Yep. Glad I spent all that time listening to the revs and getting to know the shift patterns and sound of the engine while the weather was cooler. Don't really need the speedometer to have a pretty good idea how fast I'm going, but it does make it a bit exciting when I glance down and see I'm doing "80 miles an hour" in a school zone. 🫨

 

[danconklin2]

Mine just did that yesterday, and it wasn't all that warm, only 78 degrees. I reset it with the turn off and on, but it's still running about 5 mph higher than the GPS reports.

 

[wspollack]

Mine just did that yesterday, and it wasn't all that warm, only 78 degrees. I reset it with the turn off and on, but it's still running about 5 mph higher than the GPS reports.

If -- I know, big IF -- the Classic 350 is anything like the Meteor 350, note that on the latter the speedo reads 3 mph high at pretty much all speeds.

I did a test of this last year on my M350, with actual video and a GPS. Here's the video (and click the "...more" link in the video description on YT to read about my methodology):

 

[3/4 Ton Jack]

If -- I know, big IF -- the Classic 350 is anything like the Meteor 350, note that on the latter the speedo reads 3 mph high at pretty much all speeds.

I did a test of this last year on my M350, with actual video and a GPS. Here's the video (and click the "...more" link in the video description on YT to read about my methodology):

I think just about every bike I ever owned has been about three to five miles optimistic over the "true" speed. I think I saw something a long time ago about how the geometry and everything with a motorcycle makes it cheaper and easier to change tire speed relative to engine speed with different mods people do so to keep people from complaining if they get a ticket when their speedometer said they weren't speeding they play well to the safe side.

 

[danconklin2]

FYI, I got an email back from the dealer saying the speedometer problem is cause by the black ABS plastic armature under the pointer needle which expands when it gets hot. I saw one guy put a round band-aide on the glass over the top of that and says it helped.

 

[3/4 Ton Jack]

FYI, I got an email back from the dealer saying the speedometer problem is cause by the black ABS plastic armature under the pointer needle which expands when it gets hot. I saw one guy put a round band-aide on the glass over the top of that and says it helped.

So my umbrella idea might work? Think I might try to class it up a little bit more than a Band-Aid, but I'll give it a try
(or at least get a Peppa Pig Band-Aid or something)

 

[Neil Samui]

One from Tiger Ness re the sticking speedo issue...not sure this applies to all the issues mentioned because he lives in Scotland and its not too warm up there...

 

[Ton-up]

Just thinking outside the box here, but I think we should organize an e-mail/letter writing campaign.

I think RE should be pro-active in coming up with some kind of permanent solution.

 

[QIbHom]

RE should fix the speedo issue and be clear about it. But they aren't admitting there is a problem.

Dealers could put pressure on, but I don't think RE cares much about what happens after sale. What surprises me is that someone in the aftermarket hasn't come up with a solution.

 

[Stephan]

The importator in Swizerland admitted it’s a known issue.

 

[Bazza]

RE UK told me almost a year ago that there was a update that a dealer could flash onto a speedo using the diagnostic tool. I will try and find out more. In the UK we don't get so much very hot weather so it is not such a common problem. The headlight makes the back of the speedo hot, then add some hot weather and there is a problem.

That's wierd, My headlamp unit does not get warm, LED's don't put out that much heat. But i am in Scotchland.

 

[Squirrel 66]

Recieved a phone call from the dealership to say that my bike has a new speedometer fitted and it's ready to go.
I wonder how long this one will last?

If my milage is reading 0 miles does that mean I will have to go through the whole running in process again including the 300 mile service?