Help!...Unique Engine Squeeling Noise

[soxfanscott]

Hey gang, My 1978 GL1000 has developed a squeel as the engine was idling today.
Some background, I start the bike once a week during the winter. Back it out into the drive when weather permits. Today I was giving her her Sunday exercise. After about 5 minutes or so the engine started to squeel, a belt like sound.....

Not from the front of engine......the squeel increased with RPM etc, I shut her down quickly etc and wheeled her back in...

Any ideas?

[Zacsdaddy]

Does it squeal only when you're moving?

If not, then is the squeal in time with the rpm's of the motor?

If it's when your moving only then it's the speedometer or cable.

If it's only with the rpm's of the motor (reving it but not moving) then it's the tachometer.

The cure for either (for me) was the same. Remove the cable from the offending gauge and shove, jam and slather grease onto the end of the cable. Put it back where it belongs and ride it for a while. If the noise continues, do it again. It took three applications on my speedometer and twice on my tach but they've been quiet ever since.

Zacsdaddy

[Whiskerfish]

How cold was the outside air? What oil are you running? and weight??

I wonder if your starter clutch disengaged after it started? Sometimes after a cold start you will get a loud squeel as the starter clutch disengages. It is a pretty nasty noise.

[soxfanscott]

Zacsdaddy:
Not riding the bike at any speed. Too much snow still around here, but it is disappearing fast. So that would eliminate the speedo.

Whiskerfish:
Ambient temp was about 40-45 Degrees. Am running 15-40 oil. Shell ROTELLA® T SAE 15W-40. The squeel started probably about 5 minutes after the cold start. Engine had come to full temp, radiator fan on etc.
Was coming more from rear of engine/ trans area. Gave it a bit of gas, squeel followed rpm increase. Hit the kill switch asap.

[Cookie]

Could be clutch or like WF says starter You can check clutch usually by pulling the lever and see if tone changes.

[Whiskerfish]

Or hitting the starter button again and see what it does. If that does not make it change then if it is on the center stand I would drop it in gear and see what it does.

[soxfanscott]

Thanks Whisk...will give that a whirl

[Roady]

Please note that the How-To Forum is for helpful threads, advice and how-to articles. It's not the place to be asking general questions.

This thread moved to "Goldwing Discussions".

[soxfanscott]

Thanks for the move/ re post

[Q]

I think Zacsdaddy is right. Most likely the tach cable which hooks in by the fuel pump. Disconnect it and see if the noise stops.

Q

[dan filipi]

The manual says a squeal could be a leaking head gasket.
I heard this once on a inline 6 and a 250 2 stroke.

[Cookie]

EEEH, I'd go for the easy stuff that's been mentioned like the tach first.
It's not unusual to have a cable scream in the cold.

[BerlinKowgirl]

You should just let the bike alone and hibernate until the snow is gone and you can ride her. Not good for the engine to start it every week and not drive it.

Cheers,
Peewee

[todd54219]

I agree with PeeWee. If you cannot put at least 15-20 miles on it, do not run it. The moisture in the exhaust will kill your exhaust system. The muffler does not get hot enough to evaporate the moisture and it will rust from the inside out.

Todd

[bum]

It might be the speedo cable screaming in the cold. That's the main reason I moved from NYC to california....I too used to scream in the cold. 8)