48 Speedometer Drive Assembly Removal

[Skirted]

I assumed since my speedometer wasn't working the problem was the unit itself. Then I noticed it looked like the single mile digit and tenths digit moved at some point recently because the numbers were clean and not dirty patina like the others from sitting idle for so long. This prompted me do some investigating.

I removed the cable from the front wheel hub and spun it with a drill and to my delight the speedo and odometer works so apparently the problem is in the front hub/drive gear.

I removed the square head lock screw for the right angle piece that goes into the hub. This allowed it to pull out about 1/4" but no further. Can someone please confirm if the wheel/hub assembly has to be removed to access the drive gear? Seems like it probably does but want to make sure.

Thanks

[Jack K]

You guess it. The wheel will need to come off and the brake assembly will need to come off and then the hollow axle pressed thru the brake backing plate to inspect the speedo gear.

[Skirted]

Got the wheel and speedo assembly dismantled. Very fortunately the fiber gear or anything else wasn't damaged but had I kept riding it like this something would have failed. The http://www.patwilliamsracing.com/1948indianchief/ site has been very helpful to me. He references what can happen if lubrication dries up which is what pushed me to investigate the assembly sooner rather than later.
First 2 pics are as found and the last of course is after cleanup.

speedo gear 1.jpgspeedo gear 2.jpgspeedo gear 3.jpg