Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

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b-bike393
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:00 pm
Location: Oregon

Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

#1 Post by b-bike393 » Wed Jan 04, 2017 1:14 am

Getter ever closer to being able to fire up my 1983 RZ.
So now is a good time to check the speedo.
Hooked my drill motor to the cables to check function.
Everything works as desired however both the speedo and tach are giving a high pitch SQUEAL.
Any ideas on cause?
2015 Yamaha FJR
Setup for multistate riding

2010 BMW F650GS :smt003
My dual sport bike

Finished Rebuilding - Restoring My 1983 RZ350

Rebuilding a 1980 BMW R65 with my daughter
It will be her bike when we're all done :smt041

RuZty
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Posts: 3584
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2003 11:11 pm
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada

Re: Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

#2 Post by RuZty » Wed Jan 04, 2017 11:37 am

My speedo started to howl so bad I could hear it with earplugs in under my helmet. I pulled the cable and stuck the straw on a can of cable lube up the hole and gave it a good squirt, problem solved. This also fixed the reed switch in there and made my self cancelling signals start working again. I would not do this with the speedo off the bike as lube might head down to the face and stain it. My '85 tach is electronic but I would imagine the same would work on a mechanical tach.

trappena
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2011 5:59 pm
Location: the Netherlands

Re: Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

#3 Post by trappena » Wed Jan 04, 2017 2:45 pm

b-bike393 wrote:Getter ever closer to being able to fire up my 1983 RZ.
So now is a good time to check the speedo.
Hooked my drill motor to the cables to check function.
Everything works as desired however both the speedo and tach are giving a high pitch SQUEAL.
Any ideas on cause?
Happens often, don't use mine as much so it has been a while I had this. If I remember correctly I used silicone spray on mine. Did a quick search and found these posts that may be of some help:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5684&hilit=squeel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10744&p=102987&hili ... do#p102987" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers

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pushstartrearset
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Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:20 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

Re: Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

#4 Post by pushstartrearset » Wed Jan 04, 2017 5:56 pm

Don't forget that little gear thing in the front wheel. If the speedo has dried up, that might also be close to seizing! We bought an RZ in a forest environment and actually had to replace that whole thing w/ a spare it was rusted so bad. I'm thinking that if you could get the lube in there Slyglide might be a good option. I know my machinist recommends that for points cams and it is a bit thicker. Better to take that area apart, clean and relube before it is too late and replacements parts near unobtainable!!
1984 RZ350L (U.S.) Old Toomeys, oil injected!, Y-boot K&N. loctite throttle cable holder on left carb!! , 410 mains, Dynojet needles 2.0 clip, #20 pilot @ 1.5 turn a.s., 240/512 p.v.

b-bike393
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:00 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

#5 Post by b-bike393 » Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:56 pm

Once again, you guys rock. I'm always amazed by the wealth of knowledge that is on this web-site.
Beings I have not mounted my gauges, I'm going to disassemble the whole unit, remove each meter, heavy grease the gears, silicone/graphite lube the input bushing area and lube the brand new cables.
I'll post up the results.
Thanks guys.
2015 Yamaha FJR
Setup for multistate riding

2010 BMW F650GS :smt003
My dual sport bike

Finished Rebuilding - Restoring My 1983 RZ350

Rebuilding a 1980 BMW R65 with my daughter
It will be her bike when we're all done :smt041

75RD350rider
Posts: 601
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 9:52 pm

Re: Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

#6 Post by 75RD350rider » Wed Jan 04, 2017 11:19 pm

That should do it. I greased the speedo drive and used PB Blaster dri lube on mine and at least for the present mine is behaving itself...
I love the smell of Blue Marble in the morning!
Tim Steele in Front Royal, VA

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kpke
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Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:22 pm
Location: Livermore, CA

Re: Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

#7 Post by kpke » Thu Jan 05, 2017 11:30 am

As RuZty stated above, the faces on these instruments are extremely sensitive. I know. :smt010

Don't let anything get on them or they will be ruined.

concours
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:45 pm
Location: Kensington, New Hampshire, USA

Re: Speedometer-Tachometer Squeal

#8 Post by concours » Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:00 pm

My recommendation? if you have the squeal, STOP. NOW. Remove the cluster, remove the covers, you can then see how to properly lubricate the offending drive mechanism.
WFO for 45 years
1984 RZ350
1973 Yamaha TX750
1975 Yamaha DT400
1974 Norton Commando 850
Triumph Tiger 1050
Triumph Rocket III

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