Noise in Front Forks

[raclow]

Sometimes when I hit bumps there is a clinking noise in the front forks. Doesn't do it all the time. Seems like something loose in the forks or I may not have the front forks adjusted properly.

Any thought on this??

Thanks

 

[Scab]

May be something to do with the fairing. I think I read a post where some had some loose items or fasteners in their fairing that were making some noise.

Not much help, huh?

 

[ionbeam]

1) front floating disks are rattling, subject of a recent thread, do the search, seems that it is not uncommon

2) loose hardware, check to see everything is tight

3) steering head loose

• place bikie on center stand
• put something like a 2x4 on a jack, slide under header pipes (avoiding plastic) and jack up until the front wheel is off the ground
• (have someone help stabilize the bike) kneel down and grab both fork tubes and try to move them back and forth; front to rear -- if the steering bearings are loose you will see/feel play and may hear a clicking noise

4) not enough preload on the front forks and you are hearing the rebound rods or the fork springs ratteling; you should see ~2 or three adjustment rings under the 17mm nuts on each side -- adjustment check and method is in the OWNERS manual, no service manual needed

 

[raclow]

Thanks for the info. I will report back as to what I find after performing the tests you suggest.

Standby...........

 

[raclow]

OK, I tried to move the forks back and forth. There was no movement and no noise or click. I have checked the preload rings on the forks and I have three.

Do you think I should bring this down to two and try that???????

Thanks.

 

[Windjammer]

Mine has a clunk in the front end too. Happens when I hit a big bump or slam on the brakes. I can feel it through the bars, and I'm thinking it's steering head bearings but haven't had the time to check yet.

Raclow, I'd actually check the torque on the steering head. If it's anything like mine, the force required to induce the clunk is not something I could produce by wringing on the forks with my bare hands. Unless I had Hulk Hogan over for dinner.

 

[raclow]

Windjammer:

I don't feel this through the handlebars but I hear it if I hit a bump. It seems like a rod or something hitting another piece of metal. Doesn't happen all the time, just the right bump will make this happen.

I may try the pre-load adjustment and see what happens then.

Any other suggestions?????

 

[ionbeam]

Any other suggestions?????

1) front floating disks are rattling, subject of a recent thread, do the search, seems that it is not uncommon

If your steering head was tight that should have taken care of that. Check the brake rotors (or did I miss something that you have already done?).