Speedometer needle problem

[kevinu]

A month or so ago, I repaired the odometer gears and wasn't sure how to get the speedometer needle reattached after the repair.  After two tries, I had it on and sitting at 0 mph when it should be. 

Yesterday, I did a very hot (<100 F) ride that included a section of bumpy dirt road, and now the needle is at 140 mph when sitting still. 

I know it sits on a very delicate pin, and care must be taken to not damage this pin.  I'm guessing I never really had it set on the pin correctly in the first place and the vibrations knocked it loose.  I need to take the needle off the pin and try to get it reset again at 0.  Should I add some type of glue before put it back on the pin?

Or maybe the problem is the pin itself?

[Laitch]

Or maybe the problem is the pin itself?

Pushing it fully onto the shaft should secure it; it's a press fit. Maybe the shaft and its connection are damaged. I'd expect a loose needle to fall off but there's no telling until you get in there and take a look.

[kevinu]

Now I have to find the time to take it apart and try the repair...

[Laitch]

These units aren't examples of Motometer's finest hour and can be exasperating, especially the older ones without the benefit of Gore-tex ventilation in the back panel. On the other hand, they can offer practice in equanimity.

[Chaos]

Smoking on startup and a flaky speedo are actually precision designs to give the bikes character.  Otherwise they would be perfect and as boring as a refrigerator.