1998 Yamaha V-Max 700 XTC speedo issues

[yamahahaapex]

I got a 98 vmax that recently had the speedo and odometer quit working. Upon further inspection I found there is a little wire rod that had snapped in two inside the speedo housing. I am the second owner of this machine but is it really that easy to fool with the odometer as I believe, according to the records I have, that this is the first time the rod has broke. I replaced mine asap as I want a true mileage reading for potential problems down the road but it has surprised me nonetheless.

The unit has 10,000kms(6,000miles). I was told it might be an indication of the chain case bearing on the other side going bad. Is there any truth to this? Is it a big deal to change? I don't hear any noise from it going but when moving the track slightly I do here a "clunk" but I believe this may be some slack from the drivers?

Thanks

 

[watersuper]

Would look at the bearing on the opposite side of the chain case. The bearing for the driveshaft, blow the shaft for the secondary. The pickup for the speedo is located at that spot and that would be the first item to check. The bearing is easy to replace, just be sure to loosen the 2 set screws located on the tunnel side.
You can pop off the seal on that bearing while its on the machine. If it has no grease or worse, rusted, the bearing needs to be replaced.

 

[4StrokeAddict]

Would look at the bearing on the opposite side of the chain case. The bearing for the driveshaft, blow the shaft for the secondary. The pickup for the speedo is located at that spot and that would be the first item to check. The bearing is easy to replace, just be sure to loosen the 2 set screws located on the tunnel side.
You can pop off the seal on that bearing while its on the machine. If it has no grease or worse, rusted, the bearing needs to be replaced.

I concur. I replaced my bearings for preventative maintenance at 5000 miles before I sold my XTC Deluxe. I also had my speedo wire shaft thingy (the technical term if you didn't know) break around 6,000 miles which I contributed to water and rust. If those bearings have not been changed, I'd do it! Nothing worse than being stranded on the side of a trail. If you do that, you should be good for another 5,000... A little play in the track against the drivers is normal. Usually the speedo will flicker and do weird things before the bearing fails, but not always! If that peg wasn't rusty and it broke, I'd worry about the bearing. If it was rusty, it may have just been its time.

 

[TRUE BLUE SINCE 1980]

Check the sending unit before you replace that short wire if that is rusty inside it may be locked up internally. It will just break again if it is....( I will not confirm or deny if this has happened to me) They are about $80 at your dealer The wire is $5 If you cant dig the twisted wire out of the shaft just push it in with a small punch , the shaft is hollow. If you are thinking someone turned the ODO "back" yes it is possible but would be quite a job, and sort of a useless task For a YAMAHA.

 

[MrSled]

Have you registered on Totallyamaha.net forums?

 

[yamahahaapex]

Would look at the bearing on the opposite side of the chain case. The bearing for the driveshaft, blow the shaft for the secondary. The pickup for the speedo is located at that spot and that would be the first item to check. The bearing is easy to replace, just be sure to loosen the 2 set screws located on the tunnel side.
You can pop off the seal on that bearing while its on the machine. If it has no grease or worse, rusted, the bearing needs to be replaced.

Ok, that one I completely replaced. New

 

[yamahahaapex]

I concur. I replaced my bearings for preventative maintenance at 5000 miles before I sold my XTC Deluxe. I also had my speedo wire shaft thingy (the technical term if you didn't know) break around 6,000 miles which I contributed to water and rust. If those bearings have not been changed, I'd do it! Nothing worse than being stranded on the side of a trail. If you do that, you should be good for another 5,000... A little play in the track against the drivers is normal. Usually the speedo will flicker and do weird things before the bearing fails, but not always! If that peg wasn't rusty and it broke, I'd worry about the bearing. If it was rusty, it may have just been its time.

My thoughts exactly, I bought it with 9,000kms and even found a bearing completely snapped off in the bogey wheel. I ended up replacing every accessible bearing I could for peace of mind at that point

 

[yamahahaapex]

I ended up putting a new "joint" in. Put it all together and it warped again. I thought I had cleaned it well and double checked. It was good. I don't know if the axle is actually hollow to punch reminants through as it didn't work either as I could get nothing through.

Ended up putting another joint in and took care making sure both parts were lined up good before bolting it back up. It works fine now after some testing. Thanks for the feedback, especially checking the sending unit to see if it was seized.