Those that has steering clunks.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 2
From: Oahu, Hawaii
Those that has steering clunks.
I noticed that when riding over bumps I had a clunking sound coming from the front end. After reading here about others having the same issue I tightened the head bolt (frame to forks) up to 85 ft#'s and it went away. I just wanted to share this tip for others with the same problem. From what I read here the manual changed it's torque value from when the bikes were assembled.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2005
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From:
RE: Those that has steering clunks.
I ride an 05 Heritage. I had the same issue. I have the latest service manual and the torque value is not listed fot the FLSTC front forks. (pages 2-2 and 2-3) Where can I verify the 85 ft/lb number. If it isn't right, it fill flat blow out the steering stem berring. I put mine up on a lift and it was loose. Pre torque wrench only about 25 ft/lbs. I pulled it down to 45 ft/lbs and it took care of the issue (45 is what is listed for other Softails)
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
RE: Those that has steering clunks.
The 45 LBS sounds like the old value, try looking in the torque values section of the manual and see if it is listed there. The value has been increased in other model books because of this problem.
Check out this post
http://www.vtwintalk.com/m_55422/mpa...k/tm.htm#55932
Check out this post
http://www.vtwintalk.com/m_55422/mpa...k/tm.htm#55932
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 2
From: Oahu, Hawaii
RE: Those that has steering clunks.
ORIGINAL: TCSTD
The 45 LBS sounds like the old value, try looking in the torque values section of the manual and see if it is listed there. The value has been increased in other model books because of this problem.
Check out this post
http://www.vtwintalk.com/m_55422/mpa...k/tm.htm#55932
The 45 LBS sounds like the old value, try looking in the torque values section of the manual and see if it is listed there. The value has been increased in other model books because of this problem.
Check out this post
http://www.vtwintalk.com/m_55422/mpa...k/tm.htm#55932
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 2
From: Oahu, Hawaii
RE: Those that has steering clunks.
ORIGINAL: TCSTD
It's a shame the dealers waltz us around on these things, glad it worked out for you.
It's a shame the dealers waltz us around on these things, glad it worked out for you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 2
From: Central, NY
RE: Those that has steering clunks.
I am surprised that people don't just give up on HD.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 708
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From:
RE: Those that has steering clunks.
ORIGINAL: JBBOOKS
My personal feeling is that a good American V-twin motorcycle company could give HD a run for it's money if they could get off the ground with a good product and service (and enough capital to last for awhile).
I am surprised that people don't just give up on HD.
Harley shocked just about everyone with comments that motorcycle sales nationwide have been “relatively flat” in comparison with last year and that they would be cutting 10,000 units in production to account for reduced demand over the remaining year. Earnings estimates for the entire fiscal year have also been reduced with projected gains in the mid-teens sinking to the range of 5-8%. The only real good news that Harley was able to report is strong growth in foreign sales with increases of 20.6% in Europe and 10.6% in Japan.
Polaris was singing quite a different tune, proudly announcing a 12% increase in motorcycle sales and a 24% gain in international sales. Their recent push in custom parts and apparel also seems to be working out well, though not stellar, with an 8% increase in sales of parts, clothing and accessories. Also, since their widely reviewed Hammer just started shipping in March, its not a big part of the numbers for Q1, but could contribute strongly to Q2 sales.
Polaris was singing quite a different tune, proudly announcing a 12% increase in motorcycle sales and a 24% gain in international sales. Their recent push in custom parts and apparel also seems to be working out well, though not stellar, with an 8% increase in sales of parts, clothing and accessories. Also, since their widely reviewed Hammer just started shipping in March, its not a big part of the numbers for Q1, but could contribute strongly to Q2 sales.
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Banned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,982
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From: Polygamy Plains, Utah
RE: Those that has steering clunks.
I have on 03 Night Train an I had the clunks... and the Dealer man told me it would take a "few" hours to repair.... at SEVENTY TWO bucks an hour. Turned out it was the left fork cap that was loose. Made a helluva noise. Took me 3 minutes to fix. Just scratching my head about why I waited.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 58
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From: Woodstock, GA
RE: Those that has steering clunks.
Had the same problem my 07 custom. Took it in to the dealer and they tightened the steering head bearings. Fixed my problem and it rides like a different bike now. Another symptom that I had with it was when I was decelerating through 45 to 40 mph. (mainly right at 40) the front end would shimmy back and forth. This fixed that problem as well. Surprisingly to charge from the dealer too.
