Fork clunk
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg, FL
Fork clunk
Hey gang I have a 1997 Heritage. When the forks extend coming out of a bump there is a clunk as it *bottoms out* (extends all the way). Is this normal or in need of fork oil or...?
Thanks
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 3
From: East Tennessee
Fork clunk ?
Ain't no wrench & don't know sheet but I guess your 1997 is old enough to need the oil replaced reguardless of mileage. Shop manual shows how in detail. I don't understand why the folks on this Forum have not jumped on this with their advise. Maybe your post is in the wrong section? I have fount outstanding results to my questions. Well, some better than others. I suggest you rewright and repost to NEW POSTS. RIDE SAFE
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 7
From: TEXAS
Ain't no wrench & don't know sheet but I guess your 1997 is old enough to need the oil replaced reguardless of mileage. Shop manual shows how in detail. I don't understand why the folks on this Forum have not jumped on this with their advise. Maybe your post is in the wrong section? I have fount outstanding results to my questions. Well, some better than others. I suggest you rewright and repost to NEW POSTS. RIDE SAFE
I don't know the answer, but the softail posts start getting busy around 6:00pm and there will be plenty of advise this evening. You are in the right section.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 153
From: On a Large Sandbar, NY
I suggest you replace the suspension fluid/oil. What you seem to describe actually sounds like there is no fluid in the tubes at all or very little for that matter 
No harm in checking. JMO
No harm in checking. JMO
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: in a trailer next to a ditch in South Florida
If they clunk when the brakes are firmly applied/released, then it's likely the steering head bearings need to be greased and re-torqued. Unless you found a leak in the forks, changing the oil out should only affect the damping and rebound.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett, Texas
+1 On this
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
First thing I'd do is get the front wheel off the ground with a jack and check for play by grabbing the front forks and try moving up and down. My neck bearing was loose from the factory and the fall away adjustment had to be done.
Mine also has drain plugs in the forks. Manual recommends only putting in a certain number of ounces if your draining the forks. I guess they don't think you can fully drain them. It's best to measure and put the same amount in each fork. Start with the minimum recommended amount, you can always add a few more ounces if needed but removing is a pain.
Mine also has drain plugs in the forks. Manual recommends only putting in a certain number of ounces if your draining the forks. I guess they don't think you can fully drain them. It's best to measure and put the same amount in each fork. Start with the minimum recommended amount, you can always add a few more ounces if needed but removing is a pain.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
If you have owned this bike since day one and have never had to tighten up the steering neck, it is long overdue. If it is a "new to you" bike and have no idea what maintenance has been done, tighten up the steering neck as it more than likely needs it. Also, I would imagine that it could use a new dose of oil in the shocks. Between the two things you will more than likely cure the problem. Good luck.