SuzukiSavage.com - Speedo cable... is leaking oil?

Stan

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Speedo cable... is leaking oil?
01/23/11 at 16:44:37

I had this problem on my '03 back in August of 2010, a new O-ring and speedo cable fixed it no problem.

The thing is, I think it's doing it again. At least I hope that's where the oil is coming from. It will be a least a week before I can get around to getting the tank off and pin-pointing the source. I just wanted to know if anybody else has encountered this before and how it can be prevented in the future.

Also, I have the hardest time taking the tank off, because I always have to take the fuel column out, which means draining the tank every time I need to get under the tank. If I don't take the fuel column out, it snags on some other parts down there and won't let the tank slide. Any suggestions?

For what it's worth, I'm about to push 10,000 miles.

Stan

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verslagen1

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Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil?
Reply #1 - 01/23/11 at 17:14:49

Stan wrote on 01/23/11 at 16:44:37:

I had this problem on my '03 back in August of 2010, a new O-ring and speedo cable fixed it no problem.

The thing is, I think it's doing it again. At least I hope that's where the oil is coming from. It will be a least a week before I can get around to getting the tank off and pin-pointing the source. I just wanted to know if anybody else has encountered this before and how it can be prevented in the future.

Maybe you are using the wrong o-ring. Try a fatter one.

Quote:

Also, I have the hardest time taking the tank off, because I always have to take the fuel column out, which means draining the tank every time I need to get under the tank. If I don't take the fuel column out, it snags on some other parts down there and won't let the tank slide. Any suggestions?

I always push it to the left and lift before trying to slide it back.
But it been said some tanks need the petcock removed to get them off. But I think it's the owners myself, never had a tank I couldn't just pull off. Although I can count those on one hand.

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Stan YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 12	Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil? Reply #2 - 01/23/11 at 17:17:55 I've put 1,500 miles on the bike since I last changed the O-ring and speedo. Is it unusual that it would suddenly start leaking now? (On that note, the bike had been sitting about a month at 30-40 F weather, so that may have something to do with it.)
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spacepirates

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Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil?
Reply #3 - 01/23/11 at 17:28:23

Switch to a raptor petcock (fuel column) makes getting the tank off a breeze and eliminates any issues surrounding vacuum operated petcocks. It'll set you back around $25 or $30 new, but very worth it in my mind.

As for the oil leak, mine does the same thing and i haven't gotten around to fixing it. any idea what size o-ring is needed? Digger had a post about fixing this same problem a while back.

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Stan YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 12	Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil? Reply #4 - 01/23/11 at 17:33:12 Regarding Digger's post, my apologies, I tried using the search function and found nothing on the topic. Any chance you have a link to Digger's post? As for O-ring size, I just brought the ring from the speedo with me to a hardware store and sized a match there.
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Max_Morley Serious Thumper Offline LT650 Luxury Touring & sidecar rig Posts: 1490 Moses Lake. WA Gender:	Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil? Reply #5 - 01/23/11 at 17:46:11 I find that i just use a 2nd pliers to hold the sheath close to the nut to keep from turning when I tighten the nut that last little bit. Keeps from distorting the o-ring I'd guess. Stopped the leaks at that point on mine that way. MAx
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verslagen1

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Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil?
Reply #6 - 01/23/11 at 18:01:27

Stan wrote on 01/23/11 at 17:33:12:

Regarding Digger's post, my apologies, I tried using the search function and found nothing on the topic. Any chance you have a link to Digger's post?

As for O-ring size, I just brought the ring from the speedo with me to a hardware store and sized a match there.

Search?!? did you say... Search?

wham, there you are...
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1268286763/0#0

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Driller

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Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil?
Reply #7 - 01/23/11 at 18:03:59

Here ya go...
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1268286763/0#0
Installed a new ring as shown. Just haven't been able to get out to see if it cured the leak.
It took a lot of digging to find it, so don't feel bad.

Edit...
Goodness, you are quick, Verslagen! Posted that while my creaky fingers were trying to type. Cheesy

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Stan YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 12	Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil? Reply #8 - 01/23/11 at 18:15:22 Hmm... my leak, if it is the speedo, is coming from the other side of the cable, from under the gas tank. I've got oil going all the way up the cable. Thanks for the link though.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil? Reply #9 - 01/23/11 at 18:28:39 Same leak, yours is not leaking at the bottom. good for you.
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Driller Full Member Offline Really "Zooked" up Posts: 140 Tryon, NC Gender:	Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil? Reply #10 - 01/29/11 at 12:36:28 Finally! A nice enough day to get out and see if the new o-ring did the job. So far.............YES!!!! YIPPEE!
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Stan YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 12	Re: Speedo cable... is leaking oil? Reply #11 - 01/29/11 at 15:46:16 I now think the source of my leak is a different spot. I posted the question with pictures here: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1296344624
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