Howl coming from front

[bigbore2]

I just bought an 84 [US model] and a couple times that I have ridden it sometimes I hear a loud howl coming from the front, up thru the cowling. I think it is the tachometer cable as it goes away under 1000 RPM at idle. I have not looked closely yet but these bikes have a tach cable?  or is it electric?

[Pat Conlon]

Hey bb, nope not the tach, it's electric.

It's your speedometer. The death howl. Yes, you can lube your speedo cable but the howl is internal from the misaligned gears in the speedo.
I recall a place in San Diego that could rebuild the speedo gears but I can't find it. Perhaps someone can chime in?

Start looking on eBay for used '84/'85 cluster. The later speedo clusters fit (almost) to the '84's fairing. A small gap shows on the left and right side.
It's hard to see in my pict below. Here's a '89 speedo cluster in my '84:


Sorry, I wish I had better news...

[bugboy]

OH NO!  I had that same whine (when cold) and had hoped that lubing the cable would fix it.  I haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

I hope the spare instrument cluster that came in the "spares box" is better.

Kurt

[SlowOldGuy]

Hey Pat, I think I have that howl on my '93.  Sounds like a wheel bearing grinding.  I think I'll pull the speedo cable and see if that stops it.

Thanks for the tip

DavidR.

[Travis398]

I was getting a loud intermittent howl myself, turned out to be front wheel bearings, even though they felt tight. 

[Pat Conlon]

Very good advice David and Travis, bb disconnect the speedo cable and go for a ride and see if the noise goes away....
Front wheel bearings are a much easier fix than trying to find a decent low mileage speedo cluster. (and I'm on my third cluster)

I'll keep looking for info. on that speedo shop in San Diego that can rebuild our FJ speedos.....

Cheers!   

[bigbore2]

If it turns out to be a speedo, I would like to rebuild mine. Putting in a clutch mc kit this weekend. Should get to test the bike out to see what is making that noise.

[RichBaker]

I've been getting a howl from the front since I put the 17" wheel on, I suspect I did something to the bearings when I installed them.... I doubt it's my speedo. Sounds more like it's coming from the wheel...   

[bigbore2]

After the clutch mc got fixed, I went for a ride and verified that the speedo was making the noise. I did it by going 25mph, putting in neutral, killing the engine and listening as the bike slowed down. The noise slowed down as the bike speed slowed,so that was enough proof for me it was the speedo. If you use the disconnect method, use the lower cable mount to disconnect as it is easier to get to, just secure the cable somehow. Pat, put on your cape (superhero status member) and help us to find that repair shop you mentioned.

[Pat Conlon]

Here ya go laddies...I searched thru several old Yahoo and forum posts to find 2 stateside locations. Feel free to add more as we discover more shops.

Cheers!  http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5718.0

[bugboy]

Might this be worth the files section or vendor section or somewhere easy to locate in the future?

[craigo]

Another way to test that it is the speedo and not a bearing or something else is to disconnect the cable from the front wheel. If the noise is gone, you have your culprit.

Just a thought,

CraigO

Jeez, never mind. Should have read the whole post b4 commenting.

As you were...

[Pat Conlon]

Might this be worth the files section or vendor section or somewhere easy to locate in the future?

Yeppers, that's where I put it..... General Maintenance Files Section

[bigbore2]

I called both shops today [1-17-2012]  Foreign Speedo was very nice and informative.  FREE DIAGNOSIS from them.     Creative Audio did not know what I was talking about and said they only do stereos. Call them yourself, as I did not ask for Scott, just talked to whomever answered.

[Pat Conlon]

ok, thanks I'll delete the audio store from the file. I wondered about that....