08 Heritage front end rattle

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Jul 11, 2017 | 09:31 AM

gonderk

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Jun 2016

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Fairmont, WV

08 Heritage front end rattle

I hit a large pot hole yesterday. Now every time I hit a bump there is something rattling in the front end. Bike handles the same and no vibration at speed. I checked everything external on the front and nothing is lose. Any ideas? Could it be a broken front fork spring?

Jul 11, 2017 | 10:23 AM

jeepcj578

6th Gear

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 14

Likes: 6

From: Southaven ms

Check the neck bearings, grab the bars and push and pull on them with only back brake on to see if you have any movement. I know when dad hit a big pothole on a trip it knocked them out on his ultra

Jul 11, 2017 | 10:33 AM

Mike Lawless

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 2,181

Likes: 488

From: Central California

In addition to Jeepcj's suggestion, see if the there's anything loose in the headlight housing.

I had the same thing going on and it turned out to be the "relay box" for my LED headlight that was loose and rattling around. Using a couple zip-ties tidied things up and no more rattle.

The funny thing was that the rattle was also present at certain engine rpm, giving the illusion that the engine was clattering at certain RPMs. Harmonic resonance

Jul 11, 2017 | 10:47 AM

gonderk

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Jun 2016

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Fairmont, WV

Thanks guys!! I will check those out! I have recently installed LED lights, so that is a definite possibility. I will also check the bearings.

Jul 11, 2017 | 11:06 AM

rbeamj

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 303

Likes: 16

From: Stockton, CA

I had the same rattle and turned out to be the front fender bulb that I had installed. It came from custom dynamics and was an LED.

Quick and and easy to check out. Just remove the lense

Jul 11, 2017 | 11:47 AM

gonderk

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Jun 2016

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Fairmont, WV

I haven't checked that either, but I will, Thanks!

Jul 13, 2017 | 07:57 AM

gonderk

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Jun 2016

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Fairmont, WV

Ok, I have checked all of the suggestions above. Everything seems to be tight. I repositioned the headlight relay and fastened. There is no change in the noise. Thanks for all of the suggestions. Anybody have any other ideas?