The '07 Heritage has an annoying "fork" rattle. A metallic tapping noise when the forks move up or down. But, after taking it to an independent shop, with a mechanic that knows these things inside and out, we're not sure exactly where the noise is coming from for. The sound telegraphs it's way all around the front end area. He used a stethiscope, and checked everything from the spokes to the handlebars. We found a wireing harness under the front fender that flutters against the left side of the fender and makes a similar noise, but that wasn't it. (it was actually rubbing on the side of the front tire, so he's gonna tuck it back where it belongs while it's in the shop). His plan is to start taking stuff off a piece at a time until he either finds the source of the noise, or gets down to the forks, then get into them if need be. I know of several here who have had the same problem, so if we find a fix, I'll post it.

 

"His plan is to start taking stuff off a piece at a time until he either finds the source of the noise, or gets down to the forks",


That's what I had to do once when I had a noise I could find. Turned out to be a bad clamp on one of my heat shields.

 

my street bob has a problem with the headlight bucket rattling at certain speeds and bumps. drove me nuts until I found it. ended up drilling out the rivets and replacing with stainless screws and nylock nuts.

 

I had a similar sound not too long ago. Found it to be the hub cap had come off the spacer and was spinning rubbing against the wheel hub too which was grinding a ring in the hub cap. May not be your issue but worth a check and good luck

 

have a passenger use a rubber hose and move it around when you drive in the empty parking lot to fine the noise

 

Well, my mechanic peeled the front end parts off the Heritage one at a time, and still had the rattle when he got down to the forks. So, he's going to put in two new fork tubes. He doesn't want to replace just one, says they're best replaced in pairs along with all the seals & associated hardware. It's like replacing front shocks on your car, always replace them in pairs. But, when it's back together tomrrow, with new tubes, parts & fluid, it ought to ride like a new one.

 

sounds like a smart mechanic