Sometimes, well most of the time, my 14 RK front brake grabs and feells like it is loose and clunks while applying. Like the bolts are loose but they are not. Any tips before I find someone to watch them when I apply brakes?

 

I have an 08 that I bought uses from the dealer. Shortly after I got it I went to the service guy with this same question...you already know his response...he said " all those old harleys do that" I just laughed out loud because after hearing about them saying that then actually hearing it made me laugh and be pissed at the same time...i had just paid them 16k for that "old" harley. Honesly i stopped paying attention to it after awhile and it went away...not sure if it was during a tire change or new brake pads but without noticing it's gone now and has been for awhile. Sorry I couldn't be more help but hopefully you at least got a laugh out my " they all do that" story .

 

The Rushmore bikes have a poor man's floating rotor. You can see the spring washer between the bolt and rotor. That allows the rotor to shift side to side a bit. I can make mine clunk just by grabbing the rotor and wiggling it.

The other thing is are you sure it's the brakes and not a loose steering head bearing?

 

I get the clunk occasionally and know it’s the floating rotors so it doesn’t bother me.

 

Had the clunk sound also. Took the wheel off to put on a new tire. One of the pistons on the inside of the rotor was stuck in. Uneven pad wear was the result, the noise was the pad slapping against the rotor. Rebuild time.

 

As PoCoBob said it’s the floating rotors. You’ll notice if you apply the front brakes while rolling backwards, then go forward and apply the brakes , “clunk” now hit them again, no clunk. When I first bought my RK I heard it and thought it sounded like it was coming from the neck bearing. When I got to the dealer the mechanic grabs the rotor and moves it back and forth , does it sound like this he asks

 

It didn't do it until sometime after I changed brake pads. I will check the rotors and if it is that, will just live with it.

 

If it happened after a pad change, there could be another explanation. The new pads may have a little front-to-back play within the caliper. When you roll back, the pads are pulled toward the back of the caliper and the next time you apply the brakes going forward, the pads shift toward the front of the caliper until they seat forward. Try this in the driveway with the bike off: Roll back and apply the brakes. Now roll forward and apply the brakes. Do you get the clunk? Now if you go forward and apply the brakes again, there likely won't be a clunk because the pads are already seated in the forward position.

 

Floating disk, pads moving slightly. If you have engine off and roll bike and hit brake fast you will hear it but if you get on the brakes easy you will not. That is normal on every bike I have had so I’m use to it. But if you have high miles you need to check if it’s not the neck bearings or fork sliders. If you can lean out and look at front axle nut when you hit front brake and what does it do. The forks should only compress. If it come to the rear towards bike frame something is worn. Best I can explain.