Xj650 Maxim I think speedo reading is wrong! Please help!

I have recently purchased an XJ650 Maxim and after a 90 mile round trip I'm sure the speedo is wrong. According to the speedo I was doing 65mph for about 30 miles but seemed more like 75 - 80mph! Redv counter @ 65mph was @ 6,000 rpm. It has the original clocks.

Can anyone help? Does this sound correct :?

 

Depends on maintenance, brake condition, tires, wheel bearings...might be close...

 

Re: Xj650 Maxim I think speedo reading is wrong! Please help

Nope, after doing all the calculations looks like you where doing 103.1 MPH. 8O

 

Re: Xj650 Maxim I think speedo reading is wrong! Please help

Tyres almost new, bearings just been done, brakes good, recent pads, overall condition is pretty good.

 

Re: Xj650 Maxim I think speedo reading is wrong! Please help

Didn't feel like that fast! I'd say about 85 - 90 max! Hop so anyway or I'm going to get into some real trouble if I'm not careful!

 

Re: Xj650 Maxim I think speedo reading is wrong! Please help

Go with the flow.

 

I guess the speedo might want some lubrication (don't use wd40!)
My '81 xj650 maxim does about 5000 rpm at 65 mph

 

Re: Xj650 Maxim I think speedo reading is wrong! Please help

I was having a similar problem with my speedometer although mine is off of a different bike. I sprayed some wd40 into it from the back to break corrosion up then sprayed yamalube aerosol silicone to really get it slick.

That was a couple hundred miles ago and the speedometer is both accurate and smooth.

 

The instrument itself probably does need some attention: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15303.html

WD40 is not a good lubricant for this; it will eventually gum up. It is especially dangerous to use it as a cable lube.

 

I got pulled over by a State Trooper the other day for going too fast. He just gave me a warning and helped me figure out how much my speedo was off. At 65mph my speedo shows 60. I cleaned and lubed the cable after that but I'm not sure it helped or not. I'm not sure I want to dig into the actual gauges. Seems pretty delicate and easy to mess something up.

 

What was the speed limit?

 

The speed limit was 65mph and I had my speedometer on 70mph. He stopped me because he said he clocked me at 77mph. After checking my license, he allowed me to follow him while he held his speed at 65mph which showed as 60mph on my speedometer.

 

Re: Xj650 Maxim I think speedo reading is wrong! Please help

Well I've just been out with my iPhone strapped to the bars using Speedview app.

The 65mph that I thought I was doing (although it did feel a bit fast), was actually 80mph, and when I was travelling at the speed limit of 70mph I was actually doing just below 90mph! That will explain the feeling faster than my clock was showing!

So at 30 clock reads 25, 70 clock reads 57! Well at the moment anyway.

Thanks to everyone for advice, I'll try to sort them out, or look for alternative clocks!

 

How reliable is THAT app? There's no reviews on it--

 

I downloaded the free one and checked it this morning in work van, if you keep a steady speed, ie 30mph, 60mph etc it's accurate within about 1mph, but then a lot of vehicle clocks have that sort of inaccuracy so I'd say pretty good.

 

"The 65mph that I thought I was doing (although it did feel a bit fast), was actually 80mph, and when I was travelling at the speed limit of 70mph I was actually doing just below 90mph! That will explain the feeling faster than my clock was showing!"

It is good to know how quick you are moving but it is also important to know how fast (or slow) the traffic around you was going.

IF you are slow you are a hazard.
IF you are faster - well I guess you know where you are going and how to get there!