Front end clunk
Stage II
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: canada
Not sure if it's related, but my '87 FLHTC clunked every time I hit the transition from the street to my driveway. This was with or without the brakes applied. I drained and replaced the fork oil as per the repair manual, and the clunk went away.
The old fork oil looked like flat Coca Cola.
The old fork oil looked like flat Coca Cola.
evilRoy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,196
Likes: 3,086
From: NW AR
evilr,
You're doing it the hard way. The easy way: Raise front wheel off the ground. Open fork drains, drain oil. Put 1 screw back in. Other screw, replace temporarily with a fitting and a hose, other end of hose in container with the exact amount of fork oil. Remove schrader valve from your crash bar. Put hose over shrader valve. Suck on hose with vacuum pump, pulling the oil into your fork. Replace temporary fitting with plug. Do other fork.
You're doing it the hard way. The easy way: Raise front wheel off the ground. Open fork drains, drain oil. Put 1 screw back in. Other screw, replace temporarily with a fitting and a hose, other end of hose in container with the exact amount of fork oil. Remove schrader valve from your crash bar. Put hose over shrader valve. Suck on hose with vacuum pump, pulling the oil into your fork. Replace temporary fitting with plug. Do other fork.
Stage II
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: canada
Thanks a lot for the info. I will do that. I am late in my answering you, To much on my plate. I cannot power up the rADIO IN MY 1986 FLHTC. iT'S a factory radio, would you know where the ground is for it. I fave a feeling that it's not grounded properly.
Like theysay up here North of the 49th,
MERCI BEAUCOUP
Like theysay up here North of the 49th,
MERCI BEAUCOUP
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,196
Likes: 3,086
From: NW AR
I seriously doubt your radio problem is the ground. Those radios were not known for their longevity. However, the ground should be on the main connector going to the radio, then to the big common ground connection under the faring.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Take a jumper lead and go from a good ground to the radio case and see if it powers up. If not then start at the radio and work back through the power wires until the problem. If you have power at the radio then the problem is in the radio. Some of the early radios had a small fuse inside the radio, so you might want to check there too. Hope this helps.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 515
Likes: 3
From: Tipp City Ohio
FWIW. I experienced the clunking sound as well.When I changed the tires I had the front fork seals checked by my local Indy.
Turns out it was the left side pinch bolt that had broken causing the noise.The left side fork tube had vibrated out of the cap.One good pot hole and I may not have been posting this.
Turns out it was the left side pinch bolt that had broken causing the noise.The left side fork tube had vibrated out of the cap.One good pot hole and I may not have been posting this.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,196
Likes: 3,086
From: NW AR
Shoemaker, I had that happen to me in the Oklahoma Panhandle on my 79 FLH POS. Hit a pothole, heard a big "CLUNK", looked down and there was fork oil all over my left gas tank. I limped into Lamar with it like that. My wife still talks of that trip, and not in a good way.