My Speedo, aka The Random Number Generator?

Well hello everyone!

I've had my '03 SV650S for about 3 years now and I'm loving it. I use it to commute to and from work, which it's perfect for, but I've recently had problems with the speedo.

As the title suggests, it's started acting as a random number generator, occassionally telling me what my actual speed is but usually just displaying random numbers. The highest I've seen is 186mph (I wish!) and it can tend to sit at this for some time. The tacho is clocking up the miles as if the speed reading was correct, so my 20-minute commute has seen me clock up 60 miles before; the rest of the display also works just fine. This suggests to me a sensor problem rather than a deeper electrical problem, but I'm far from an expert and would appreciate a second opinion as well as any advice you might have as to how to proceed.

Many thanks.

[flymo]

Its normally the speedo sensor rotor (part number 34983-21E00) down at the front wheel. It has four teeth that break very easily, especially on the older models.

The K3 had an all graphite one (very brittle) but I've seen newer models with a combined graphite/plastic one that appears a little more robust.

Thanks very much.

[Sid Squid]

The rotor isn't likely to be your problem, if it were then the speedo wouldn't work at all.

See here.

That's great. Thanks for the info. I see a reference to a "curvey speedo drive and cable that led up to the headlight junction" here. Is this what I need? Or do I need a "pointy" one? And just for completeness is there a part number for it at all?

Thanks for your help so far guys

You'd need a pointy one really as you have a pointy K3 bike (same as me), but in my post I was just reporting that a curvey one does actually work if you do the bit of filing I reported. Should all be detailed in the thread, but if you have any more problems, just ask

Having the exact same problem even after replacing the rotor which was bust anyway. Checked the wiring back to the battery, seems fine, ill check the wires going into the display when I get a chance, anyone any other ideas?

Cheers!

[_Stretchie_]

Never had an SV but had similar problems on other bikes

Thundercat - Rev meter would jump to a pre set reading to indicate different things

3k - tank reservoir sensor issue
7k - something else


BlackBird - This happened, and it was a sign that the reg/rec was about to give up...

Don't know if this is the same for the SV?? Check your owners manual, you might be surprised

hope this may have been of some use to someone