Electrical gremlin while riding today. UPDATE ON WHEEL NOISE!

[1500Rider]

Went out on my '97 Tourer today for a long ride and noticed a problem about four hours into the ride. I have a couple of Motosen's Gauges installed (Voltmeter, Fuel Gauge for Interstate tank, and clock). During normal operation, the voltmeter normally reads about 14 volts and the needle is rock steady. Same with the fuel gauge, whatever the reading, the needle remains steady.

Four hours into the ride I noticed the voltmeter needle fluctuating wildly between 13 and 14 volts. I had just got fuel so the fuel gauge was reading full. As the fuel gauge started to drop from full, it too started fluctuating wildly. I was about an hour from home and as I got closer, the bouncing needles got worse. I also started to notice a strange noise that appeared to be coming from the front of the bike – almost a scraping sound with random creaking. I don't know if it's related to the gauges or not.

Once home I checked he battery connections, ground, alternator fuse and connections as well as the alternator output. Bike off, 12.7 volts, ignition on, 12.3 volts, bike running and revving to about 2,000 RPM, about 14.2 volts. Looks like the alternator is good and the battery has been holding a charge over regular testing during the summer.

Not sure where to start looking. I put the bike on a lift when I got home and inspected everything I could think of, even the strange sound coming from the front end. Noticed when turning the front wheel there is a creaking sound about once every revolution or two. Thinking I might have something out of alignment up front so will investigate that further. As for the electrical issue, not sure where to look now. If it wasn't for the gauges I probably wouldn't have noticed anything as there was no change in performance of the bike.

Suggestions?


UPDATE - Confirmed the noise from the front end was a bad bearing. Unfortunately, that's the least of my problems. Removed the bad bearing, as well as the one good one to replace them as a pair, and discovered that the bearing seat on one side had disintegrated about 90 percent of the way around the wheel. Looked like it had been beaten up pretty bad. I'm guessing that the previous owner, who said he had replaced the bearings once, beat the crap out of the wheel in order to get them out. It wouldn't surprise me given all the other little things I've found. Looks like the bike is off the road for the rest of the year. Was planning on buying chrome wheels over the winter but hadn't planned on scrapping the original ones. Can't even use them as a trade-in now.

As for the electrical gremlins, guess I'll have to wait until next spring see if cleaning up all the contacts solved the problem.

[Michvalk]

The creaking in the front wheel could be a wheel bearing. The electrical problem I would say to start at the wiring at the gauges and check everything for cracks or rubbing.  There could be a ground somewhere not getting good connection. Might look at the battery ground where it connects at the engine block. They are noted to corrode and cause that kind of problem. Just a place to start

[1500Rider]

Think you might be right about the wheel bearing Michvalk. The creaking is more like a knocking sound every so often. Might be an early sign that the bearing(s) are starting to go. Don't know when they were last replaced by the previous owner so might be worth my while to swap them out. Going to remove the brake caliper tomorrow to see if the sound is still present. If so, I'm sure it's the bearings.

As for the electrical issue, cleaned all the contacts and started the bike. No fluctuating needles at idle or when revved but I didn't notice them moving when I first got home and had the bike running albeit not moving in the driveway. Can't see it being caused by just the movement of the bike as they've never done that before. Will have to wait and see next time I take it out, which, with the winter weather coming quickly, might not be until next year!

I'm wondering if it's possible that the bearing issue is causing the fluctuating needles. Although I didn't feel any unusual vibration in the bike, I do recall thinking that something felt off with the bike earlier in the ride. Couldn't put my finger on it and the wind was buffeting my around quite badly when I first noticed it but it was enough to catch my attention, at least for awhile.

[salty1]

What is the source of power for your gauges? I had similar experience with a different type of voltmeter that was coming directly off the battery. 

[Michvalk]

I wouldn't think the wheel bearing could cause any problems with the electrical. Maybe vibration might cause it, as a short in the system might be interrupted by vibration. You have a loose or corroded connection somewhere, and you'll need to find it before you have a major meltdown. Waiting to find it might be a very expensive plan

[1500Rider]

Power to the gauges is coming from the Aux. plug on the Valkyrie. This is where Motosen's recommends tapping power from. Checked all the connections yesterday except the connections made in the headlight housing. Will check those today. So far, all connections good. Wouldn't expect any corrosion problems as the bike has only been ridden a half dozen times since the gauges were installed.

[Gryphon Rider]

Another possible source for the wheel noise is the speedometer drive gear.  Regardless, it would be a good idea to remove the wheel and feel the movement of the bearings with your fingers.  I have an Autometer temperature gauge, and the needle sometimes fluctuates too, but I've never bothered to trace the problem because it works well enough for me.