Front forks question
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
Front forks question
I've been trying to isolate the cause of a clunking sound from the front end when I go over hard bumps, like railroad tracks. I've checked gas tank bolts, loose crap, steering head torque, and various other things to no avail.
I think the noise is coming from the front forks. I'm not certain, but it seems like the most likely culprit. Maybe lack of oil, maybe bad springs, may be a lot of things.
Disassembling and inspecting the front forks seems like a somewhat complicated process. Is this something best left to a professional, or can an amateur wrencher like myself handle it? I have the service manual and enthusiasm, but I also suspect there's a possibility I could put the bike in a condition where it has to be trailered to a dealership.
If it's not that bad, are there any particular tips or tools that would make the job easier?
I think the noise is coming from the front forks. I'm not certain, but it seems like the most likely culprit. Maybe lack of oil, maybe bad springs, may be a lot of things.
Disassembling and inspecting the front forks seems like a somewhat complicated process. Is this something best left to a professional, or can an amateur wrencher like myself handle it? I have the service manual and enthusiasm, but I also suspect there's a possibility I could put the bike in a condition where it has to be trailered to a dealership.
If it's not that bad, are there any particular tips or tools that would make the job easier?
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,621
From: along the shore of Mishigami
When you guys retorque the steering head bolt are you taking the weight of the front and loosening the lower pinch bolts on the lower tree before tightening? This will pull the trees together during the tighening, not enough to see but enough to take some slop out of the bearings. I also changed the weight of the fork oil to 10w Belray. Now this all worked on an 02 FXD, different forks same concept.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
This is a long shot but I had a clunk over big bumps. It turned out to be the jiffy stand. There is a rubber stopper on it so it doesn't bang against the stop but it was rotated and move so the metal jiffy stand was hitting the metal stop. An easy check and fix...
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
Decided "fuggit." Went and bought some new fork oil, and while I'm at it I'm going to slip in some Progressive springs. If this doesn't solve the problem, it's off to the dealership wi' ye.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 138
From: here
I've seen a lot of posts on this topic and many of them talk about checking the "washer" but the washer is not what causes the clunk. The bearing retainer nut below the top triple tree clamp is usually the thing that is actually loose (assuming clunk is coming from there).
Replacing the washer doesn't fix the clunk, you need to (as recommended above) put the bike on a stand, loosen the lower fork clamp pinch bolts, tighten the top bearing retainer nut, then tighten the top clamp retainer nut that's on top of the washer.
Just MHO, but would recommend trying that first before changing the fork oil, not to mean that's not a good idea too, but if the front end is loose, stiffing up the oil isn't going to help....
t
Replacing the washer doesn't fix the clunk, you need to (as recommended above) put the bike on a stand, loosen the lower fork clamp pinch bolts, tighten the top bearing retainer nut, then tighten the top clamp retainer nut that's on top of the washer.
Just MHO, but would recommend trying that first before changing the fork oil, not to mean that's not a good idea too, but if the front end is loose, stiffing up the oil isn't going to help....
t
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
From: Metropolis
I've seen this recommendation here many times. This Monday I took my 09 Fatbob in for it's 1K mile checkup. I described the same noise as the OP almost exactly. "Noise when going over bumps and railroad tracks"
I asked the service writer about changing the front fork oil to a heavier blend (as I've read here many times) and he looked at me like I was from another planet. There was another service writer there also and they both said that HD only has one blend of fork oil and there is nothing they have that is "heavier" to put in. So I must ask where are you all getting this "heavier blend" as this particular HD shop tells me that HD only makes one type fork oil ?
Anyway, the repair order reads that the service tech "adjusted and retightened the front steering head bearing to within spec" The cluncking noise is a little less noticeable. I also had the rear shocks stiffened by (1) click and that seemed to help also.
My .02
Christian
I asked the service writer about changing the front fork oil to a heavier blend (as I've read here many times) and he looked at me like I was from another planet. There was another service writer there also and they both said that HD only has one blend of fork oil and there is nothing they have that is "heavier" to put in. So I must ask where are you all getting this "heavier blend" as this particular HD shop tells me that HD only makes one type fork oil ?
Anyway, the repair order reads that the service tech "adjusted and retightened the front steering head bearing to within spec" The cluncking noise is a little less noticeable. I also had the rear shocks stiffened by (1) click and that seemed to help also.
My .02
Christian
