FXST Front end clonk
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 116
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FXST Front end clonk
Every time I go over a bump on the FXST or brake heavily I get a clonking sensation and a loud noise from the front end. I thought it was the bearing torque ( Bike has done 3000 miles )took it to the dealers who checked it for me and said all was OK. This noise is almost a bang and is starting to get to me and is spoilling my ride. Any ideas? New oil? new springs? I weigh 200 lbs
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 37
From: Hoboken, NJ
Actually, my FXSTB makes somewhat of the same sound. Only over "sharp"-type bumps (not smooth ruts in the road, in other words). It's bothersome, but much like the "clunking" sound that the gears make, I think it's a "Harley thing".
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
I grease and adjust my steering head bearings every couple months regardless of miles. That clunk is typical of the sound these bikes make when the bearings start going dry and its outta adjustment.
I cant imagine a dealer telling you thats normal. My old 05' dosent do that cuz' I keep the fvcker greased and run my adjustment tighter than the manuals fall away recomendations.
You have a lift? And a service manual? and a grease gun?
Get the bike up on your home lift and fill the head bearing zerk with grease and adjust the fall away. Its in your service manual.
I cant imagine a dealer telling you thats normal. My old 05' dosent do that cuz' I keep the fvcker greased and run my adjustment tighter than the manuals fall away recomendations.
You have a lift? And a service manual? and a grease gun?
Get the bike up on your home lift and fill the head bearing zerk with grease and adjust the fall away. Its in your service manual.
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
I heard somewhere of the clunking headlight bucket as well....
Still think the OP needs to fill that headset with grease and check that steering bearing tension. I run mine tight as with my Jockey shift I like it to be solid when I'm riding around and accelerating one handed.
My bike is 5 years old has almost 20K and it dosent clunk or clonk. The one time it did start clunking it was that derned steering bearing adjustment which caused the triple tree to be loose in the headset and you could literally hold the front brake and clunk back and forth.
Worth checking as its all of a 15 minute fix.
Still think the OP needs to fill that headset with grease and check that steering bearing tension. I run mine tight as with my Jockey shift I like it to be solid when I'm riding around and accelerating one handed.
My bike is 5 years old has almost 20K and it dosent clunk or clonk. The one time it did start clunking it was that derned steering bearing adjustment which caused the triple tree to be loose in the headset and you could literally hold the front brake and clunk back and forth.
Worth checking as its all of a 15 minute fix.
Definitely grease the bearings and tighten up the steering head and see what happens. I do the same as Chaz, grease it every couple of months. It takes 30 seconds to do. As does adjusting the steering head bearings tightness.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: poughkeepsie, ny
Agree with Chaz 100% There is also a updated washer part# 45727-08 that goes under the neck nut (size 1 1/2") that's under the chrome cap. After you loosen the lower pinch bolts torque the nut to 80 ft.lbs.
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R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
The dead giveaway with the OP's issue is certainly the clunk on braking. The only thing thats gonna do that really is his steering head bearings.
OP shoot a PM if you want any pages out of the service manual scanned and sent to ya. Some things are better done in your own garage. Thats one of em.
OP shoot a PM if you want any pages out of the service manual scanned and sent to ya. Some things are better done in your own garage. Thats one of em.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: poughkeepsie, ny
Like to add that once everything is loose, the adjusting nut (looks like a little sprocket) is under the top triple tree. I tightened mine as far as it would go. Used a punch (between the teeth) and a small ball peen hammer.