Fat Bob issue?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Honolulu
Fat Bob issue?
I'm not sure if this is just a new bike issue but when I get on the front brake firmly then pulsate when coming to a stop. Is this normal?? Also when I'm stopped and hold the front brake, then try and compress the front forks theres a knocking sensation and sound coming from the front.
Anyone know what this could be? My bike is 2 weeks old but it's done this ever since I got it.
Anyone know what this could be? My bike is 2 weeks old but it's done this ever since I got it.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Honolulu
My buddy was thinking ABS issue also, But I don't think my bike has ABS. (I didn't pay for that option)
As far as I can tell everything is tight up front. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow. Hopefully they can figure it out?
As far as I can tell everything is tight up front. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow. Hopefully they can figure it out?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
There is a bit of a clunk from the floating brake calipers and pads that settles down after a while (or my brain is just filtering it out now). However, there are two other likely causes, both of which you want to check.
The easiest is that the fixing bolts for the fuel tank may be loose. Seems a lot of bikes left the factory with these loose. Two minute job to tighten them.
The second is that the steering head bearings were not adjusted on a lot of Fat Bobs out of the factory. This definitely creates a thunk as you describe. The fix is to adjust the "fallaway" as per the workshop manual. This involves getting the front end off the ground and swinging the front wheel gently over until it swings away on its own and measuring how far from centre that point was. Then tightening up the adjustment nut to get this fallaway happening at the right distance.
The easiest is that the fixing bolts for the fuel tank may be loose. Seems a lot of bikes left the factory with these loose. Two minute job to tighten them.
The second is that the steering head bearings were not adjusted on a lot of Fat Bobs out of the factory. This definitely creates a thunk as you describe. The fix is to adjust the "fallaway" as per the workshop manual. This involves getting the front end off the ground and swinging the front wheel gently over until it swings away on its own and measuring how far from centre that point was. Then tightening up the adjustment nut to get this fallaway happening at the right distance.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Honolulu
There is a bit of a clunk from the floating brake calipers and pads that settles down after a while (or my brain is just filtering it out now). However, there are two other likely causes, both of which you want to check.
The easiest is that the fixing bolts for the fuel tank may be loose. Seems a lot of bikes left the factory with these loose. Two minute job to tighten them.
The second is that the steering head bearings were not adjusted on a lot of Fat Bobs out of the factory. This definitely creates a thunk as you describe. The fix is to adjust the "fallaway" as per the workshop manual. This involves getting the front end off the ground and swinging the front wheel gently over until it swings away on its own and measuring how far from centre that point was. Then tightening up the adjustment nut to get this fallaway happening at the right distance.
The easiest is that the fixing bolts for the fuel tank may be loose. Seems a lot of bikes left the factory with these loose. Two minute job to tighten them.
The second is that the steering head bearings were not adjusted on a lot of Fat Bobs out of the factory. This definitely creates a thunk as you describe. The fix is to adjust the "fallaway" as per the workshop manual. This involves getting the front end off the ground and swinging the front wheel gently over until it swings away on its own and measuring how far from centre that point was. Then tightening up the adjustment nut to get this fallaway happening at the right distance.
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I noticed this also on my new fatbob. Doesn't necessarily happen when hard braking but when I hit small bumps. Feels like the front fork needs to be tightened a tad more. When I bring it in for service I'll mention it.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 491
Likes: 5
From: Manitoba, Canada
Had the same brake issue on mine when it was new. One of the front brake rotors was warped. It was replaced under warranty. All good ever since.
Last edited by Northern B; Jun 9, 2013 at 09:16 PM.