Has anyone taken apart apart a VDO speedometer drive and could offer any tips on how to do it without breaking anything? Mine is full of what feels like gravel and rope strands and needs a cleaning.
I have taken one apart. There are some decent YouTube videos. I do have a couple of extras, but the reset is on the side instead of on top as on most of the ones used on a Penton. I have a NOS, new in box VDO with the side resets. I haven't decided which I'm using. They come apart easily, take off the bottom and see it that works first. The top has lots of springs, washers and small pieces and can usually be cleaned without disassembly once the bottom drive unit (2 screws) is removed.
Rob H,
Yes, the VDO speedo drive that mounts on the front wheel does come apart. You'll need to gently pry the drive plate/ring gear assembly up out of the housing. There is a spring washer that sits in the bottom of the housing below the ring gear. To get the pinion out of the housing you need to unscrew the locating pin on top of the housing. Then gently push the pinion gear out of the housing. The pinion gear can be more difficult to remove from the housing so don't force it. If the pinion gear won't come out, simply clean it off as best you can with some degreaser, a brush and some compressed air. Make sure the pinion gear spins freely in the housing after it's been cleaned up. Grease everything up with some automotive wheel bearing grease and reassemble the unit. Hope this helps.
Dave McCullough
Thank you everyone. Dave, that is a huge help! I had wanted to start prying, but that has led me down a bad paths with other parts before. Will be careful. This will get me where I need to go. Those pictures are great. Appreciate you taking the time to take those!!!
Just wanted to give an update. Dave's instructions were spot on. Even with only 2000 miles on the odometer, the gears had significant wear. Am guessing that has a lot to do with a lack of maintenance. Might be worth keeping an eye on if you have one. Anyway, mine is back on the bike and am moving on to the next item.
Rob H,
Looks good ! Glad you were able to get the speedo drive apart and serviced up to make it functional again !
Dave McC