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Front end clunk

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Old Mar 1, 2007 | 06:03 PM
  #1  
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Default Front end clunk

I have an ’07 Softail Custom, with 2000 miles on it. I have a slight problem and curious if any one else has the same issue. When I come to a moderate stop, the front end clunks. Had it back to the dealer, they tightened the neck bearing and greased it. That seemed to have taken the hard clunk out of it, but, it’s still there. The dealer seems to be trying, they said they will contact HD for advice and I guess the OK to tear it down. Any one else have this problem???
 
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Old Mar 1, 2007 | 06:09 PM
  #2  
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Default RE: Front end clunk

It sure sounds like a steering head adjustment issue to me. Maybe the bearings or races are bad? That can happen if they go too far out of adjustment.
[align=left] [/align]
 
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Old Mar 1, 2007 | 08:12 PM
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Default RE: Front end clunk

I have an '06 Heritage with 4,500 mi. I have had the same problem (coupled with a sound that is like taking a screwdriver to a piece of sheet metal) but only when I hit bumps. The dealer did the same fix as you described (and at first, it helped for a little while) but now it's back. I don't friggi'n know.........
 
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Old Mar 1, 2007 | 09:01 PM
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mopardave
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Default RE: Front end clunk

I had the same clunk with my 05 wide glide front end. The fix is to torque the neck bearings to the high side....110!
Another fix is this:





This front end is available from HD in black or chrome. It's a little pricey but looks and handles great. It's the beefiest front end HD has ever put on a bike and comes standard on one of the SE 110 CI bikes.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2007 | 11:01 PM
  #5  
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Default RE: Front end clunk

The problem is not in the bearings.
The adjuster nut for the bearings is below the top plate of the triple tree.
The problem stems from to much free play around the steering stem nut that tightens on top of the top plate and when that nut does not have enough tension placed on it it allows the stem to move and hits the sides of the hole on the top plateandcauses the clunking sound you hear.
You can check out some of these post from HTT to see some of the remedies...
https://www.hdforums.com/m_1326831/tm.htm
 
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Old Mar 1, 2007 | 11:36 PM
  #6  
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Default RE: Front end clunk

I'm with Mopar on this one. I tried torquing at 75 lbs. Still clunked a little. Went up to 90 lbs and now it's ok. If you
torque by the book. It WILL clunk...
 
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Old Mar 1, 2007 | 11:59 PM
  #7  
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chivohead666
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Default RE: Front end clunk

I had a similar situation on my train but It ended up being normal. It was the handlebars. everytime I go over a pot hole it clicks, I didnt know that. Its my first bike. Just wanted to share my experience, Not sure if its useful. By the way its the bushings that bolt to the risers.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2007 | 05:08 AM
  #8  
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SimonP5150
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Default RE: Front end clunk

Get the socket to fit the nut and torque the damn thing to ~90lbs the clunk will go away.. Worked for me.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2007 | 09:39 AM
  #9  
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Default RE: Front end clunk

ORIGINAL: HawgFoot

The problem is not in the bearings.
The adjuster nut for the bearings is below the top plate of the triple tree.
The problem stems from to much free play around the steering stem nut that tightens on top of the top plate and when that nut does not have enough tension placed on it it allows the stem to move and hits the sides of the hole on the top plateandcauses the clunking sound you hear.
You can check out some of these post from HTT to see some of the remedies...
https://www.hdforums.com/m_1326831/tm.htm
Absolutly right, follow link.

This was a big subject about a year ago.

David
 
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