Front suspension clunking sound.

[Bic_Bicknell]

I'm starting to feel a clunking sound from my forks when I brake hard. Really difficult at the moment to diagnose properly because it's inconsistent and hard to instigate on purpose but it's the kind of thing that bugs me and I ride quite hard so if there's something imminently going to go wrong I'd rather sort it out now before it gets worse.

When stationery and front brake on to pump the forks up and down gently the movement is smooth, damping fine and no noise. But when you really push down to bottom the forks out there is a clunk. It's a double clunk - one at the bottom of travel and then again when on the way back up again. It sort of feels like the steering head bearings are loose (but they are not).

Anyone got any idea what this may be?

[Wolfie]

Depends which bike... give us a cloo..

Drum or disc?

[Tartan Triple]

my h1 is the same, knock from the head stalk area on hard riding, i have checked,bearings, fuel tank,headlight brackets,brakes frame,you name it!! passes mot with no advisories 6 years on the trot, can i find where this noise is coming from,,,,,,no!!!

[gotz]

my h1 is the same, knock from the head stalk area on hard riding, i have checked,bearings, fuel tank,headlight brackets,brakes frame,you name it!! passes mot with no advisories 6 years on the trot, can i find where this noise is coming from,,,,,,no!!!

had something similar.Turned out that the instrument cluster dampers were shot.

[SAM]

Headstock bearings to me. May be knackered!

[Bic_Bicknell]

Wolfie. H2c

I'm double checking the head bearings - seems so like that is the problem but I can't feel any movement with bike on centre stand and forks with no load on them. Passed MOT recently.

But sound seems to be coming from the forks/suspension.

[Doctorpayday]

Hi

Had a similar sounding problem on another bike, which was more prominent when the forks were fully extended.

Most noticeable when putting on center stand.

I was always broke myself in those days and repairs, unless those that rendered it unusable, went unresolved.

Got me thinking?

Doc

[johnnymoped]

If it's a drum it could be the locator for the drum stop - too much clearance. Had this on mine.

[Bic_Bicknell]

Well guess what?...

It was the head bearings after all.

Got bike up on center-stand on a workbench and although there was still no play I could feel through the forks when I loosened off the top nut and clamp there and put a C spanner on the ring I could turn it about 15 degrees before it felt right. Then I tightened everything down again and the clunk on full compression has gone completely.

[Hal]

Cheap fixes are great, and free ones the greatest.

[Kawaclive]

Hi Bic
When adjusting the steering bearings you should loosen the clamp bolts on the top yolk that clamp the fork tubes
as well to allow the yolk to settle properly and seat straight.

[Bic_Bicknell]

Kawaclive. Yes I did this mate - loosened all three yolk clamp bolts off so it all remained square as I tightened the central bolt. :wink: