Caution #3

[pistolpete]

Most of us who own older Wings, Honda's and CBX's have most likely been presented with a loud squealing coming from somewhere in the front of the bike.
What we have found in our gauge services is this squealing is not the cable to the gauge nor the gear box on the wheel. Most likely it is coming from a lack of lubrication.
I would advise that should the infamous noise occur, you should stop and remove the cable from the end of the instrument. Since the speedo is better than 50% of the time the culprit, a safe bet would be to disconnect it first. If the noise persists, the tacho can be disconnected and at the same time re-install the cable to the speedo and check it once again.
The point being that the noise is causing damage to the instrument and if left unchecked the results below can happen.

While these results are extreme, they may be preventable or at least prolonged.
The cable end inserts into the square opening of the gauge at the cable connection point.
This input shaft should be checked yearly for end play or wobble.
If either or both occur in small amounts, the gauge should be removed and the input shaft should be lubricated.
If excessive, you might wish to replace the instrument.

The lube should be as viscose as possible but it should still "wick" between the rotating input shaft and the housing.
I would recommend two drops of 80-90 gear oil, such as the oil used in the final drive.
Be careful not to use to much that it will get inside of the instrument and foul the eddy current generator.

Pete

[Hal]

Thanks PP. One of my instruments has been doing this recently. I wouldn't have known to use a gear oil...will give it a try.

I've noticed this seems to happen worse in very cold weather on the GL, and also on a 1964 Alfa Giulia spider I once had.

[NewWinger]

Will check this out. I haven't had the pleasure of putting my bike on the road yet.
I did have the pleasure of having to fix my Tach, it was all gummed up.
I'll give her a spin with my VS drill and see how she sounds.

Suggest warning #4 for guys like me. Be carefull, very carefull putting bending the ring back on the instrument housing.
I boogered mine up a little bit. Tach works great though.

Thanks for the info.

[CYBORG]

in my experience, the best way to remove the ring on the tach or speedo is to cut the ring with a cut off wheel. then on re assembly re attach it with super glue. using a large hose clamp to hold it in place while the glue drys

[pistolpete]

When the ring is cut, you are cutting also the upper, lower, and inner case flanges
The seal is being cut as well to the extent that it may leak.

Pete

[CYBORG]

you do have to be careful, use a very thin blade, and cut it where the small alignment notches are. (at the bottom of the gauge ). i have done it a number of times and managed to save the seal as well. using the super glue completely around the inside of the ring also help seal it from moisture. because of the nature of super glue, if you have to remove it again, it is a little harder, but i have done it, reusing the same ring a number of times. and the cut is located at the bottom of the gauge

[pistolpete]

Points well taken Cyborg , sounds like you have given considerations to doing the task and doing it well
Pete

[CYBORG]

i only do it for myself. and i did go thru a number of good rings ,prying them and other methods, before i figured it out. in fact i just finished the tach on DIGBIE, my side car rig, yesterday. i've had enuogh of them apart over the last 20 years, that it i don't even think about it any more.