I keep hearing a clunking noise (kind of sounds like something hitting the front tins) everytime i go over bumps. it's really annoying on bumpy country backroads.

The bike handles fine and dosent seem loose. I've looked for a loose part in the forks but found nothing???

ideas??????????

 

Mine was the tins, make sure all the bolts are tight. I have had problems with where the windshield would go. Also my riser cover cooming loose. Loc-tite is a necessity. Also if your front end is lowered, check the top of your front fender if its an FL. Learned the hard way. I hate noises too.

 

Might be the steering head nut is loose... I think it's called for in the service at 5k. But you can hear a clunk when those get loose.

 

could also be the plastic headlight wiring connections banging around inside there. I zip tied mine where it couldn't hit anything and it hasn't done it since.

 

Common problem according to many posts...including my softail. Must have been as hd provides a maintenance revision for it. Do a search for "front end clunk" and you'll find many opinions and a few solutions. I cured mine with torquing the steering stem nut to 70 foot pounds and resetting the fall away.

 

I'll do a search. Thanks for the tips.

If this is a common problem I'd assume it's a warranty item. That said, I'd preferr to fix it myself.

thanks again to all!

 

So common hd adopted the 70-80ft pounds to the steering stem nut for 08 and earlier. I don't know if your 09 came torqued or not. They should check it out for you for nothing. Good luck!!

 

never had that one but look like your covered by the answers

 

One other thing you may want to check is the pinch bolts that hold the triple trees together. They are behind the chrome cover that sits behind the headlight. On my previous 2 Fatboys they had broken. It is a heavy clunking noise, not a tinny sound. Very simple procedure to check. I am not saying this is your problem but maybe worth checking.

 

wow mine had that sound too. too 5 mechanics 3 hr to find it. it was a loose rear motor mount. caused the entire motor to move when you hit a bump or a small pot hole.