Whinning/howl speedo/speedo cable?

[FJmonkey]

When I bought the 87'. It came with a box of spare parts. A CBR600 shock, clutch pack, pressure plate and basket, Complete instrument cluster, complete wire harness, one OEM mirror and a few other items.

Fred

Ok, I will let it slide this time...

[fj1289]

My speedo on the87' only howls when it is cold outside. After about 5 minutes of riding it stops howling.

Fred

Exactly how mine started Fred. Letting the howl out of the speedo is like letting smoke out of electrics...

[rktmanfj]

My speedo on the87' only howls when it is cold outside. After about 5 minutes of riding it stops howling.

Fred

Exactly how mine started Fred. Letting the howl out of the speedo is like letting smoke out of electrics...

Yeah, but I have yet to see a jar of 'replacement speedometer howl' on the store shelves...     

[rlucas]

Okay, that's funny. Especially since my last name just happens to be... (hold it...)

Lucas.

Yes, the Prince of Darkness, for those of you who may be fans of BSUEC (British Sporadically Unreliably Electrical Connection) -spec components. No known relational genealogy, but I'm denying any traceable relationship.


Sir Rossi
O. B. E. and a BMF, besides.

[motogp52]

To avoid rebuilding the speedo internals I use a product called "Break Free CLP", you can find it at any Walmart in the sporting goods section where gun cleaning solution is sold.  It is an excellent petoleum based product that will both clean and lubercate any machanical mechanism quiet well. It comes with a little red straw that attaches to the nozzle.  Disconnect your speedo cable from the housing and squirt a little bit up inside, this product will clean and remove gritty grime and free up sticky, rusted or corroded mechanisims within the housing.  This product works quiet well on other applications too.  Otherwise, the dreaded "howl" will mean the end of your speedometer and replacement or rebuild will be in order.

Barry

[FJmonkey]

To avoid rebuilding the speedo internals I use a product called "Break Free CLP", you can find it at any Walmart in the sporting goods section where gun cleaning solution is sold.  It is an excellent petoleum based product that will both clean and lubercate any machanical mechanism quiet well. It comes with a little red straw that attaches to the nozzle.  Disconnect your speedo cable from the housing and squirt a little bit up inside, this product will clean and remove gritty grime and free up sticky, rusted or corroded mechanisims within the housing.  This product works quiet well on other applications too.  Otherwise, the dreaded "howl" will mean the end of your speedometer and replacement or rebuild will be in order.

Barry

The howl from the speedo is not caused by dirt or debris. There is a bushing that spins from the cable, as the slip fit wears it becomes a gap, once the gap is large enough the bushing begins to bounce around as it is spinning. This bounce becomes a howl when the frequency becomes harmonic, hence the howl. Lubrication may help and buy your speedo some time, but the damage is done and the tolerances are too lose. It will degrade as all parts do when they slide against other parts. It is just the speed at which it degrades is in question.

Try this fun little blurb on speedos: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/speedometer1.htm

[aviationfred]

I am thinking of installing one of these as a solution.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161157716110?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649






Fred

[motogp52]

Yes, the howl is caused by degrading internal parts of the speedometer.  However, if a three dollar can of lubricant stops the howl and slows the degradation process of the internals then I would consider that a cost effective way to handle the problem as finding a replacement speedometer can be challenging and costly as many OEM Yamaha parts are no longer available and even cost prohibitive if they are still available. The only time I've experienced the "howl" is riding in 25 degree weather in which I really can't blame the "old speedo" in those types of cold conditions.  If it weren't for keeping my bikes all stock I would consider Fred's idea.         That's a good article on speedometers too.

[FJmonkey]

Yes, the howl is caused by degrading internal parts of the speedometer.  However, if a three dollar can of lubricant stops the howl and slows the degradation process of the internals then I would consider that a cost effective way to handle the problem as finding a replacement speedometer can be challenging and costly as many OEM Yamaha parts are no longer available and even cost prohibitive if they are still available. The only time I've experienced the "howl" is riding in 25 degree weather in which I really can't blame the "old speedo" in those types of cold conditions.  If it weren't for keeping my bikes all stock I would consider Fred's idea. 

I was intending to point out that you can prolong the dying process, not stop it. There is a shop in San Diego that rebuilds these Jap speedos. Limp along as far as you can if on a budget, but you will need to pay the piper eventually. I have no intention of making the decision for you or any other, just information to help all make informed decisions... 

[motogp52]

Let us know the shop's name as that could be handy down the road.   Barry

[FJmonkey]

Let us know the shop's name as that could be handy down the road.   Barry

Should be in the files section, Father Pat added it a year or two ago. I found them when my speedo sounded like a strangled cat, but I also found and adopted an 84/85 speedo with less than 7K on it. Poor bike, to have so few miles before it donated its organs..... 

[motogp52]

  Thanks Fjmonkey! I found it on Father Pat's old thread: 

Foreign Speedo Inc
2246 1/2 University Drive
San Diego, CA  92104

619-298-5278

I experienced the howl on my 87' I used to have a number of years ago.  I will keep this info handy as I know this is a common issue for the FJ.

[FJmonkey]

Thanks Fjmonkey! I found it on Father Pat's old thread: 

Foreign Speedo Inc
2246 1/2 University Drive
San Diego, CA  92104

619-298-5278

I experienced the howl on my 87' I used to have a number of years ago.  I will keep this info handy as I know this is a common issue for the FJ.

Cool, that is the plan. To actually have one for when the howl turns into wild death throws and then sudden death... It is all about information. You provided info that has prolonged your speedo, that will help others not quite ready to ship it off to Kalifornia for repair. We all contribute by sharing. Kookaloo my friend...

[skymasteres]

Well, shoot. This explains the noise that just cropped up that I couldn't figure out. Guess I'm in for fixing that before it goes tits up.