750 SECA gauge cluster making funny noises.

So my bike's gauge cluster is making really strange noises. REALLY strange. And it's random too, but only when the bike is moving (revving it at a stop won't cause it) which indicates something with the speedometer is making the noises. I've narrowed it down to this by holding the speedo while riding, and when the noise comes (almost like a squeaking-grinding noise. Like rubbing your fingers across a balloon) it starts vibrating.

Speedo and tach both work just fine, as does the computer (it throws a battery warning light because my new gelcel doesn't have a place for the sensor prong) and trip/odometer.

It's weird, and as I won't be able to afford to replace my gauge cluster with a proper speedo/tach for a while, I'd like to see if I can stop this obnoxious noise.

 

Ah, yes, it sounds like you've inherited the dreaded Howling Speedo. I just dealt with this on my 750 Max. You'll definitely be wanting to go through this thread (which details the Seca cluster disassembly) and also this other thread. You'll see links in there where I've got PDF writeups that you can browse through.

 

I don't know about the 750, but on my 650 it was just a matter of unbolting the speedo from the bike, and unscrewing the middle part out of the back of the speedo. Don't try taking the back off the speedo like i did. it doesn't come off easy and you could break stuff. you just need a little window there to see the gears. I just put some oil on the worm gear there, worked it in a little and put it back together. problem solved. took like 15 or 20 minutes.

 

Awesome, I'll try this on wednesday.

Does anyone know the size of the nut that goes on the speedo mount bolts? (the ones that also go through the headlight bracket) my bike came without those, and I only just realized that THIS is why the speedo and headlight bounce around like a nice pair of breasts.

 

Question: do you have an integrated gauge cluster/computer monitor setup on yours, or do you have separate gauges? If you do have what another 750 Seca user referred to as a "Uni-pod gauge cluster with Super-Wham-O-Dyne computer monitor", then JDogg's suggestions likely will not apply. The first link I provided will provide details as to how to disassemble the cluster so you can get at the speedo mechanism. The second link shows the guts of an XS speedo and tach -- almost identical to those on the XJ models.

If you have an integrated cluster, as I'm guessing you do, then the retaining nuts are likely separate from those that hold the headlight in place. The retaining nuts for the gauge cluster are likely 6mm; not sure of thread pitch, but I'd guess 1mm.

 

I do have the cheese block. The retaining bolts go through the forks and also hold the top part of the headlight bracket in place. 6mm looks about right, I guess I'll just check when I take the whole thing off.

 

"cheese block"... that's good.

Interesting... different on the Maxim.

 

Does the maxim have the extra driving light made for illuminating your front fender?

 

Whoa, back up the bus, guys. Pop, before you go tearing into that unit, disconnect the speedo cable, pack some white lithium grease in the end of the cable and the threaded connector and reconnect. I was on a ride in the Texas hill country and my speedo started howling so loudly that you could hear it echoing off the buildings when I went through towns. Stopped at an auto parts store and gave it the above treatment. No sound and smooth operation for the last 5k miles. If that doesn't work, you can still tear into it.

 

Aye, laddie, that it does.

BeepBeepBeepBeep

Sound advice, as long as he doesn't pin his hopes on this being the cause. In fact, I'd go so far as to grease the entire length of the cable, not just the end that screws into the speedo housing.

 

Speedo and tach cable servicing:

Remove cable assembly from bike.

Remove inner cable, lay on long "carpet" of paper towels.

Hose down inner cable with brake cleaner or other solvent.

Flush outer cable until what comes out is clean.

Suspend outer cable vertically and pour motor oil into it until it comes out the other end.

Move inner cable to clean towels; dribble motor oil on it its entire length.

Reinsert inner cable, spinning it gently as you go to ensure full distribution of the oil. Add a dab of white grease or "axle" grease (just a dab) to the end where the little stop collar is.

Suspend newly assembled cable and let it drip for a bit before reinstalling on the bike.

Repeat every two years.

The speedo cable on my Norton comes off the REAR wheel (!?!) so it's about 4 feet long and requires regular servicing. The above was developed after years of experimentation with different types of lubes, grease, etc.