Fall away check?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Empire State
Fall away
I changed the triple trees to after market ones and when I pulled the front end apart it was noted that lower bearing is a press fit. I just fell off the lower tree when I removed it. I feel the there is too much slop in the fitment of the bearings to the stem causing the clunk. The clunk was gone when when I tested the new assembly out.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
Well to be honest with you.....I'm not positive my dealer did the fall away check either.....but after install of the kit (under warranty) the clunk is gone.
If I should get it back....I'll check the fall away myself like you did.
If I should get it back....I'll check the fall away myself like you did.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 12
From: Greene County, MS
Well, since we're being honest, I guess I'm not positive my dealer didn't do it....I really thought it would take a lot longer. I didn't take long at all for me to do it so I guess my dealer would've had time to do that. I assume they did not since the clunk was still there. Like I said though, I did not tell them I wanted the new washer in hopes that it would fix the clunk.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: West Michigan
I have the same problem with my softail, found following link on the Web which I plan to follow to correct my clunk. Looks like this in part is caused by gap between stem and hole in the triple tree. See link...
http://www.kenandjudy.us/Harley%20Pi...lunk/index.htm
http://www.kenandjudy.us/Harley%20Pi...lunk/index.htm
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, CO
I got rid of the clunk after reading my service manual, something that will spell out the fall away test. Anyways when you go to tighten the stem nut, loosen only the lower triple clamp (triple tree) bolts, tap the clamp areas with a rubber mallet or a deadfall hammer to loosen the fork tubes in the lower tree. Think about what is happening, you are ever pulling the upper and lower trees together so minutely but it happens, tighten the stem bolt and retorque the lower pinch bolts. Mine were 25-30 ft.lbs. (39 mm tubes).
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, CO
I've been having a problem with the front end clunk for several months. I took the bike to the HD dealer and had the new steering stem nut washer installed. They didn't do the fall away check, just changed the washer. It didn't fix the clunk. I am tired of hearing it and I'm afraid something's going to be damaged. So....
I bought a motorcycle jack today and I want to do the fall away check and adjust the star nut to tighten things up. Two questions.... I don't have the adapters for the Dyna. What do you use to jack yours if you don't have the adaptors? I have the service manual and I've read the procedure for the fall away check/adjustment. Are there any tips/techniques that would come in handy before I get started? I'm a little nervous about taking the upper triple tree loose to get in there and adjust.
I bought a motorcycle jack today and I want to do the fall away check and adjust the star nut to tighten things up. Two questions.... I don't have the adapters for the Dyna. What do you use to jack yours if you don't have the adaptors? I have the service manual and I've read the procedure for the fall away check/adjustment. Are there any tips/techniques that would come in handy before I get started? I'm a little nervous about taking the upper triple tree loose to get in there and adjust.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
I loosen the top tree. I leave the top stem nut on the last couple treads. With the top clamp loose I'm able to pull the handle bars & clamp up for clearance to the star nut below the top clamp.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
You know what? I've never done any fall away test, remember how you adjust the car tapered wheel bearings on old days? Bike off the ground, losen upper tree clamp bolts, snap bearing bolt tight with a adjustable wrench, move the steering left and right, back the bolt off, snap it tight again then back it off, tighten it with a pair of pliers until it stops, you don't have to force it. I've done this on many bikes both metric and Harley never had problem, vibration what so ever.
Last edited by 128auto; Aug 3, 2011 at 10:21 AM.