empty beer can noise
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
empty beer can noise
I have a 95 FXSTC that I bought not long ago that only has 6400 miles on it. When I hit a hard bump in the road it makes this " clink clink" noise in the front end. To better describe the noise its sorta like youre holding an empty beer can and you just squeeze it slightly and let it pop back out to its original shape if you know what I mean. Its only when you hit a deep pothole or speedbump or somthing. The steering rotates smoothly and seems tight and everything but Im wondering if its the neck bearing? Do I need a spanner wrench to tighten it or any specialty tools or is it something else?
Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 660
Likes: 4
From: NJ
To me, a bike that old with that low mileage is not good. I would go over that bike with a fine tooth comb. Look in the service manual and do a 20 k service. I would drop the fork fluid, replace the seals. You have to go over every fastener. I would drop all the fluids, including brake fluid.
Don't mean to alarm you, I am sure the bike is in pretty good condition.
Don't mean to alarm you, I am sure the bike is in pretty good condition.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
To me, a bike that old with that low mileage is not good. I would go over that bike with a fine tooth comb. Look in the service manual and do a 20 k service. I would drop the fork fluid, replace the seals. You have to go over every fastener. I would drop all the fluids, including brake fluid.
Don't mean to alarm you, I am sure the bike is in pretty good condition.
Don't mean to alarm you, I am sure the bike is in pretty good condition.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Get access to a lift so you can at least get the front wheel off the ground. Stradle the front wheel, grab the lower forks and pull up and down and see if you feel any play. I had a clunk in the front end when going over any bump. Found the steering nut needed to be tightened down a bit. Real easy to do. Just loosen the allen bolt and take a wrench and slowly tighten it down until the play is gone.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 660
Likes: 4
From: NJ
Did you grease it up and check fall away? Check the torque on pinch bolts.Make sure everything is good with the caliper. Do you have floating rotors? They tend to make a clunking noise. There may be some sag in the front springs, maybe put an extra ounce of fork fluid, or change it out entirely to se fork fluid which is 15wt instead of 10?
You did the right thing going over the bike. You will figure it out, it is just a minor annoyance.
You did the right thing going over the bike. You will figure it out, it is just a minor annoyance.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
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I put pj1 fork oil in it. I think I put 10 oz per side dont remember for sure if thats correct? Also not sure of the weight I used. What are you calling the pinch bolts? Thanks for all the help! P.S. Also what do you mean by "fall away" Thanks again guys.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 660
Likes: 4
From: NJ
Nova brings up a good point. Fall away is a procedure used in the HD service manual. It kind of idiot proofs torquing down the steering stem.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
The amount of fork oil is actually important as well. Did you put less than the manual states? I would check this and steering head first.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 3
From: CA
I have a noise commin from the front part of the tank everytime I go over a rail road track or pot hole. I did the Fall away and it was fine snd checked everything. Found out it was something in the tank that has to do with the gas gauge.