Blackline front end creaking
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 766
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From: USA
Blackline front end creaking
I've noticed a distinct creaking in my forks when turning the handlebars from side to side. This is not like the well known, and dreaded "wide glide clunk". Sounds almost like the tubes are flexing in the trees.
Bearing preload and nut torque has been checked and found to be within specs, bearings have been properly greased.
Have any of you guys run into this on your bike? If you're unsure, go sit on it and turn the handlebars from side to side. If its like mine you'll hear a distinct popping sound as the bars turn.
Lastly, I have the 2011 manual but it does not cover torque specifications for the Blackline trees. They are different from the other models since both the upper and lower trees have two pinch bolts. If anybody knows the magic number for the pinch bolts I would appreciate a heads up.
Thanks for reading!
Bearing preload and nut torque has been checked and found to be within specs, bearings have been properly greased.
Have any of you guys run into this on your bike? If you're unsure, go sit on it and turn the handlebars from side to side. If its like mine you'll hear a distinct popping sound as the bars turn.
Lastly, I have the 2011 manual but it does not cover torque specifications for the Blackline trees. They are different from the other models since both the upper and lower trees have two pinch bolts. If anybody knows the magic number for the pinch bolts I would appreciate a heads up.
Thanks for reading!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: USA
Nobody?
Sat on one at the local dealer today and it does the same thing. The shop guys seem to think its because the top tree does not have a pinch bolt for the stem so when you turn the handlebars everything shifts slightly causing the creak.
If anyone knows the torque value for the pinch bolt on the trees I would greatly appreciate it. My 2011 manual does not show Blackline trees and they are different from other Softail models.
Sat on one at the local dealer today and it does the same thing. The shop guys seem to think its because the top tree does not have a pinch bolt for the stem so when you turn the handlebars everything shifts slightly causing the creak.
If anyone knows the torque value for the pinch bolt on the trees I would greatly appreciate it. My 2011 manual does not show Blackline trees and they are different from other Softail models.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
Nobody?
Sat on one at the local dealer today and it does the same thing. The shop guys seem to think its because the top tree does not have a pinch bolt for the stem so when you turn the handlebars everything shifts slightly causing the creak.
If anyone knows the torque value for the pinch bolt on the trees I would greatly appreciate it. My 2011 manual does not show Blackline trees and they are different from other Softail models.
Sat on one at the local dealer today and it does the same thing. The shop guys seem to think its because the top tree does not have a pinch bolt for the stem so when you turn the handlebars everything shifts slightly causing the creak.
If anyone knows the torque value for the pinch bolt on the trees I would greatly appreciate it. My 2011 manual does not show Blackline trees and they are different from other Softail models.
99482-11A has Blackline references in it. (probably why it's revision A)
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: kingston ontario
i havent noticed it myself but then again the van that backed into my front end when it was parked may have fixed that 
i have the same manual as no barcode, what manual do you have ? (front cover lower right corner)
i have the same manual as no barcode, what manual do you have ? (front cover lower right corner)
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: kingston ontario
to be honest i had to look through that book for a while before i was convinced it covered the blackline. lol i even started thinking they gave me the wrong book
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 766
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From: USA
I truly appreciate you checking my man!
I just got done checking each one and those ****** were cranked to 35ft lbs. I guess the shop used the values for another model since I remember seeing somewhere close to that torque listed for some other Softails.
Loosened each one and retorqued to 14ft lbs and the creak is substantially quieter. I think I need to get the front end off the ground and loosen everything at once so it can have a chance to unbind and align. I guess I'll add that to the to-do Winter list.
I just got done checking each one and those ****** were cranked to 35ft lbs. I guess the shop used the values for another model since I remember seeing somewhere close to that torque listed for some other Softails.
Loosened each one and retorqued to 14ft lbs and the creak is substantially quieter. I think I need to get the front end off the ground and loosen everything at once so it can have a chance to unbind and align. I guess I'll add that to the to-do Winter list.
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