Quick front end question (Clunk)
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,005
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From: Ghent NY
Quick front end question (Clunk)
The neck bearings are adjusted, a tad on the tight side. I did have a slow speed decel wobble but that's gone now with the neck adjusted properly. I am getting a clunk on the rebound after a hard front breaking. Like its topping out or something when i let off the front break and the forks are extending back to normal posistion... I have changed the fork oil with 11.5 ounces 15 weight. the bike is a 1999 FLSTC do you think the oil is to thick or not enough to cause that? There is only 7,500 original miles on it
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
Same front end as on my98 fatboy. They use the fall away adjustment for the triple tree bearings. Not absolutly sure but I think 11 oz is about the most you want to go. And by design these front ends clunk. Nature of the best....
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
11.5 oz is the correct amount with "wet" forks. Manual say use Type E hydraulic fluid. Not sure what that trabslates to though.
Your Heritage does not have an air shock so that is not the issue.
None of my bikes with the hydraulic front end go "clunk" after a hard rebound.
Have you got a shop manual. If not get one and follow the manual to set your "fall away"
Your Heritage does not have an air shock so that is not the issue.
None of my bikes with the hydraulic front end go "clunk" after a hard rebound.
Have you got a shop manual. If not get one and follow the manual to set your "fall away"
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
Get rid of the "type E" fork oil. Use the "performance heavy" SE stuff. I do, and the front end is much better behaved.
Other than that, make sure you don't have a broken lower fork leg pinch bolt. That's happened to me twice, always on the left fork leg. Also, how's your wheel bearing end play? Either of these things can cause a "clunk" noise.
For a nominal investment (around a "C" note), Progressive Suspension fork springs will make a huge difference in ride, handling and comfort. Worth considering once you're sure everything else is up to par.
Other than that, make sure you don't have a broken lower fork leg pinch bolt. That's happened to me twice, always on the left fork leg. Also, how's your wheel bearing end play? Either of these things can cause a "clunk" noise.
For a nominal investment (around a "C" note), Progressive Suspension fork springs will make a huge difference in ride, handling and comfort. Worth considering once you're sure everything else is up to par.
Last edited by Uncle G.; May 18, 2015 at 12:12 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 103
From: Ghent NY
Its not the pinch bolts as i losened/tightened them to do the neck bearings/fall away.. I do have the manual, and the fall away is good now, it was a little loose so i did have a slow speed wobble when i let go of the bars.. thats corrected now.. The manual did say 11.5 oz's I'll check the wheel bearings but im sure its in the forks. Thanks for your answers. Progressive springs might be the answer
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Ghent NY
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From: la la land jerzey
you had it to tight at first and now its a tad bit loose - you need to move it just a slight bit tighter as it now has up and down movement the bearings are knocking on sharp bumps and or on the brakes hard
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
Sad to hear that. I came near to losing mine in a traffic accident last summer. Fortunately, there was no frame damage, and I was able to source the needed parts to repair it.
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