K1100 Odometer Blues

[PitMyShants]

Hello gents. I've come to the best for help. I've got a sweet 1997 K1100LT that has done me well in the near 6 months I've had it. Went to go install a new front tire and when I took it for a spin, I noticed I haven't been collecting miles. Oh well, pop open the instrument cluster and yep, one of the gears is toast.

Wondering if I should just grab a replacement gear for the one that broke on OdometerGears.com or replace the whole bunch. Hate that it's $85 for $00.85 worth of plastic, but I don't see many options. Also noticed others have had luck with eBay gear kits (like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/81pcs-Plastic-Gear-Wheel-Assorted-Kit-For-Toy-Car-Motor-Shaft-Model-DIY-US/153908564268?hash=item23d5aa512c:g:eiwAAOSwNp1eo7tD). Thoughts? Am I SOL and should I just bite the bullet?

Additionally, I've noticed a separate issue with my trip odometer since I got the bike. When I go to reset it, only the hundreds and tenths columns are reset. Yes, you read that right, the first and last digit of the trip meter only. Is this normal? Does the trip meter require hand cranking through 99 miles to get back to zero? Now that it's out, I don't see anything wrong with any of the gears. Wondering if I'm alone in this phenomenon.

[Scott_]

Have you inquired about sending the unit out for rebuild/repair? Might be a viable option.

[Laitch]

When I go to reset it, only the hundreds and tenths columns are reset. Is this normal? Does the trip meter require hand cranking through 99 miles to get back to zero? 

No. It isn't normal. As the tripmeter knob is rotated to reset, all four digits will align with the same numbers then you keep rotating until zeros appear.

Maybe some of what is in these threads will help you determine a course of action although it appears you might have been into them already.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Can't offer any good news.  Those orange and green gears are made of extra sharp cheddar cheese and fall apart after 25-30 years.  If you replace them they'll be good for a long time. 

The trip reset problem is that the number wheels are bad.  They have a tiny pawl that is caught and pushed by a groove in the shaft they ride on when the reset knob is turned.  I have had several tripmeters where that ratchet pawl is broken.  Fortunately, those wheels aren't too hard to replace if you have good eyes and a steady hand.  I have bought used speedometers on eBay to get spares to make repairs.  With the number of K's being hacked up into uneek cafe racers lately, there is a fair number of clusters available out there if you take the time to look for them.

If you do go for a used cluster, be aware that the 4 valve bikes had a different speedo meter movement, but the odometer and tripmeter were the same as the earlier 2 valve models so you can use their parts.  A complete cluster can have a good clock and gear indicator that can be sold separately to offset the cost or saved as spares.

[PitMyShants]

So I did some diddlin around with the trip odometer and viola, I'm back! Seems the pawls/catches for the main shaft on two of the number wheels weren't engaging to reset. Opened them up and reset the internals. That's one problem down.

Now I guess I just swallow my pride and buy the expensive plastic :/

P.S. I had a blast when one of the pawls went flying over my shoulder. Thank the lord I didn't do this on the couch.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Hey!  It's only money.

Good to hear you were able to get the pawls working again.  I have never had that much luck.  Maybe, this weekend when I go into the tripmeter on a friend's '79 R65 speedo to fix the same reset problem.

[Martin]

I was told when I replaced mine that the grease used to lubricate the gears was the cause of the cheese making process. I was  told either no grease or use a grease that is compatible with the plastic gears.
Regards Martin.

[PitMyShants]

Hey!  It's only money.

Good to hear you were able to get the pawls working again.  I have never had that much luck.  Maybe, this weekend when I go into the tripmeter on a friend's '79 R65 speedo to fix the same reset problem.

I think what stings the most is that I only paid $1k for the whole bike.. this is 10% of that! Just be careful when messing with the individual wheels. There is a metal ring that holds in one side. These seem like they were pressed on and aren't supposed to be able to go back on after you take them off, but the pressure from the other wheels will hold it them in place. Had to hold the main shaft vertically to put it back on, but it does work.

You can pull out the entire shaft and test the wheels individually. If they spin completely free, you need to reset that pawl. If they catch at some point and spin with the shaft, you're good to go.

I was told when replaced mine that the grease used to lubricate the gears was the cause of the cheese making process. I was  told either no grease or use a grease that is compatible with the plastic gears.
Regards Martin.

I'm not touching these per the instructions on odometergears.com when they get here. If for some reason they break, I'm going to hit them up for another set considering it cost me $90 to get these four pieces of plastic here..