Sounds from the Forks
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax VA
There is no back and forth / side to side movement and there doesn't appear to be in up and down movement in my steering head. So I don't believe it is my neck bearings.
I will look at my motormount to see if it looks worn out.
I am pretty sure it is my fork tubes. I am going to try and put together a "Quick Lift" so I can just lift the front end of the ground, it is a pain in the ars to line the motorcycle lift under the frame in my stone driveway. Once I get the front end lifted I plan on first lossening the axle lock point on the right side and loosening the axle nut to see if maybe I did end up with the forks being drawn together when I installed it last time. If that doesn't do anything, then I will remove my wheel and readjust my legs in the trees and verify that my neck bearings are good. I am sure it just a simple mismatch of alignment somewhere, its just a mattet of me taking the time to find it.
Thanks for all the ideas you all have thrown out there, I will go through them all and when I have found the problem I will let everyone know.
I will look at my motormount to see if it looks worn out.
I am pretty sure it is my fork tubes. I am going to try and put together a "Quick Lift" so I can just lift the front end of the ground, it is a pain in the ars to line the motorcycle lift under the frame in my stone driveway. Once I get the front end lifted I plan on first lossening the axle lock point on the right side and loosening the axle nut to see if maybe I did end up with the forks being drawn together when I installed it last time. If that doesn't do anything, then I will remove my wheel and readjust my legs in the trees and verify that my neck bearings are good. I am sure it just a simple mismatch of alignment somewhere, its just a mattet of me taking the time to find it.
Thanks for all the ideas you all have thrown out there, I will go through them all and when I have found the problem I will let everyone know.
I had EXACTLY the same problem. Read all the posts. I was shocked when I found out it was not the forks at all but the floating front brake disc clicking in the rim when I rocked the bike back and forth with the front brake on. Try rocking back and forth while pushing up and down with only THE REAR BRAKE on and see if the noise goes away!!!
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
I had EXACTLY the same problem. Read all the posts. I was shocked when I found out it was not the forks at all but the floating front brake disc clicking in the rim when I rocked the bike back and forth with the front brake on. Try rocking back and forth while pushing up and down with only THE REAR BRAKE on and see if the noise goes away!!!
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try to compress the forks without applying breaks. Alot of times there is play in you break pads that can cause a clunk or sound. If you didnt tighten the pinch bottles prior to installing the axle you shouldnt have to worry about the fork alignment as the axle would be sliding on the front right lower not pulling. Double check your fork tubes are equal in the triple trees, if still making sounds I would double check the oil levels... also sometimes if the fork seal is not seated fully you could be hearing the metal bushing washers under the seal moving slightly and rubbing the tubes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
I mentioned the play in your break pads earlier. If you aren't getting the sound without them applied I would just double check you aren't close to your wear bars up front. Also double check the front break cable, I see you have apes, you may have an issue there from the extensions that is causing the break line to keep the pistons from fully decompressing.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax VA
It has nothing to do with the brake pads or their wear. it's the floating disk in the rim.
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Last edited by CobraEd; Oct 23, 2012 at 05:30 PM.
nor did i say it did. there is play in almost all bikes I have had like the OP mentioned when you hold the break and move the suspension through its travel, he mentioned creaking when coming to stop thats why i suggested to check the pads. Only reason I mention the pistons is because if the pads are worn excessively to the point they are scratching while spinning the wheel there may be another issue at hand.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
First off, I wamt to thank everyone that chimed in with all the different potentail issues.
I went do to my local dealership, my old indy was hired on as the service manager there and things are 100% better service wise, price is still and always will be an issue. Anyways, I showed him what my issue was, he said the noise is coming from the neck and it could be something loose. So I picked up some new brake pads , went home and started taking the bike apart. I removed my bars, removed my wheel (axle is in perfect shape, no seized bearings). Changed the pads out and the then removed the caliper. Removed both legs, had to clean some paint that transfered from the trees off the legs and checked the pinch bolts, not issues there either. Then I removed the steering nut cap, GUESS WHAT!!! the steering nut was so loose that I could remove it with my fingers, so much for that torque. I pulled the trees the rest of the way apart far enough to be able to check all the bearings, non of which were damaged in any way. So I regeased them. I broke out the trusty service manual and proceeded to reassemble everything, double checking everything and all the torques.
After getting everything back together I tookher for a short ride and the noise is gone, the steering is much smoother and the brakes feel much better. Hopefully the issue doesnt return any time soon, but if it does, I know to start with my sterring head nut.
Again, thanks for all the help everyone.
I went do to my local dealership, my old indy was hired on as the service manager there and things are 100% better service wise, price is still and always will be an issue. Anyways, I showed him what my issue was, he said the noise is coming from the neck and it could be something loose. So I picked up some new brake pads , went home and started taking the bike apart. I removed my bars, removed my wheel (axle is in perfect shape, no seized bearings). Changed the pads out and the then removed the caliper. Removed both legs, had to clean some paint that transfered from the trees off the legs and checked the pinch bolts, not issues there either. Then I removed the steering nut cap, GUESS WHAT!!! the steering nut was so loose that I could remove it with my fingers, so much for that torque. I pulled the trees the rest of the way apart far enough to be able to check all the bearings, non of which were damaged in any way. So I regeased them. I broke out the trusty service manual and proceeded to reassemble everything, double checking everything and all the torques.
After getting everything back together I tookher for a short ride and the noise is gone, the steering is much smoother and the brakes feel much better. Hopefully the issue doesnt return any time soon, but if it does, I know to start with my sterring head nut.
Again, thanks for all the help everyone.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 12
From:
I noticed I had the same problem with the creaking noise coming from my front end after I put on a new tire. I went through the axle procedure again and re-torqued the steering head nut and the noise was still there. I then re-torqued the fork pinch bolts and it solved the problem. I never really noticed the creak at the end of the riding season, so it may have been creaking before I changed the tire.
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