A friend of mine has a '97 Heritage.
He had a problem of the front end clunking and when he took apart his forks we found that the springs (when compared to a new stock set of springs) were about an inch shorter than they were supposed to be.

What would cause this???

 

Sounds like what happened to mine. The fork oil level was so old and low(less than 4 ounces per side) that the springs just deteriorated. It would clunk over every bump as it bottomed out.

Another note I made was with new progressive springs I gained about an inch of height. Either it had a lowering kit to match the blocks out back or someone drained half the fluid to lower it on the cheap. I'll never know.

 

The weight of the bike being supported by the springs for 19 years...

 

That's what I first thought but when I changed mine there was no difference in spring length between the new and old springs.

I guess some springs just last longer than others.

 

That's what he said was happening to him.

 

How many miles are on his bike? How long has he had the bike for and when was the last time the fork oil was changed?

 

If it still clunks after fork maintenance, check the gas tank bolting. That's what mine was. Of course, I worked on the forks first.

 

Not real sure how many miles are on it I think about 70k.

If I remember right I think he said he bought it with 1500 on it back in '98.

He is pretty **** about changing the fluids.

 

Will do.

 

Have the steering head bearings been checked?