'00 RK Classic, 32k miles. New to me last fall. Came from an indy dealer so I don't have the PO to talk to, but it does have a decently long and contiguous service history in the Harley database. No notations in the history of when the brakes or wheel bearings were last serviced. I'm getting a lot of mechanical noise in the front wheel assembly. Some rattling over bumps, a fairly low constant whisper when moving, and a cyclic whoosh-whoosh-whoosh from the brakes that follows wheel speed, which becomes a coarse grind when brakes are applied. The only thing that came up in a search on this forum was a note that some brake noise was normal, but I feel like mine is pretty loud. Most problematic to me is that the noise increases volume when making turns. This is my first Harley, but my old Vulcan's front brakes were downright stealthy compared to this. I also think the noise is getting more pronounced over the last month or two compared to fall and winter riding, but I ride with a Cardo so maybe I just didn't notice the extent over my tunes.

I have tried the following:
1) Installed new wheel bearings. The bearings passed the lateral play test from the FSM over the winter, but since the service history was silent on the matter I decided replacement was cheap insurance at 30k miles and the "gets louder when turning" made me wonder if there was something shifting under load. Wheel turns freely and silently on the new bearings.
2) Check rotor and pad consumption. Rotors and pads are above minimum thickness. There's some slight inboard vs. outboard unevenness to the pad wear, but each pad is wearing evenly (i,e, not more warn under one piston). Both rotors have some moderate radial scuffing, but it feels smooth as the wheel spins.
3) Measured rotor warp. FSM states 0.008" max warpage. Not really sure how the real service guys measure it since there's not much steel close by to stick to other than the rotor, but I used a magnet base dial caliper stuck to a steel rifle target on the floor, and strapped the wheel hard over to eliminate steering play. I'm open to suggestions on a better methodology. I read one rotor at 0.005" and the other at 0.003", so there's my intermittent noise but it's fine according to Harley.
4) Clean and inspect brake calipers. No leaks noted. Spray cleaned exposed portion of the pistons, pad mounting pins, and whatever Harley calls the anti-rattle bracket above the pads. Brakes pumped up normally and held firmly after reassembly.
5) Retorque axle & brake caliper bolts. Obvious, since I've done the above steps, but all fasteners returned to FSM torque values.

None of that really helped. Maybe a hair quieter on the test ride but same cyclic noise and grinding when brakes applied. Also same volume increase when turning.

Where do I look next? Or is this just a Harley thing and I wait for something to go out of spec before I throw more money at it?

 

I see you have 2 posts, and both are nonsense.

 

Have you checked your steering neck bearings? Could need replacement or grease.