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Author Topic: Need Help with Front End Noise  (Read 3206 times)

Offline trog

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Need Help with Front End Noise
« on: March 13, 2012, 03:46:50 PM »
Hey Guys

So I'm about a week into ownership of my new to me C-14 and am really loving the bike. It's an '09 ABS with just shy of 9K miles.

Today I noticed a "clunk" noise from the front end under braking that I can feel in the handlebars. If I ease to a stop there's no sign of it but with semi hard braking it's obvious. I can duplicate it sitting here in my garage by rocking the bike with the front brake on although  it's not as extreme as when riding.

I can't really tell if it's maybe the head bearing or the brakes and am at a loss on how to diagnose where it's coming from and was hoping to get some suggestions.

I've only ridden maybe 400 miles since I got the bike and this didn't seem to show up til today. I haven't made any adjustments to the bike since I got it other than bringing the tire pressure up from 35 to 42psi.

Any help is appreciated...
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2012, 04:06:49 PM »
With my bike, it was caused by the head bearings being a tad loose.
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Offline trog

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2012, 04:21:25 PM »
Quote from: VirginiaJim on March 13, 2012, 04:06:49 PM
With my bike, it was caused by the head bearings being a tad loose.
Thanks. A quick search here revealed the procedure for the bearing play check/adjust but I've never done it before and lack the special tools (and know how). I did jack up the front end as described and checked the bar movement side to side and checked for any forward/rear play in the forks but it all seemed good. Can they still need adjustment without any noticeable play in the forks?
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2012, 04:24:02 PM »
Mine did.
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Offline gPink

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2012, 05:05:23 PM »
Still under warranty?
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Offline trog

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2012, 05:17:25 PM »
Quote from: gPink on March 13, 2012, 05:05:23 PM
Still under warranty?
It is. Is the bearing adjustment covered? I'd rather shoot myself in the foot than go to a dealer (even for warranty work) but it's looking that way...
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Offline gPink

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2012, 05:23:32 PM »
I would think so but I couldn't say for sure. Just curious does the clunk occur on the application of the brakes or on the release.
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Offline DenverC-14

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2012, 05:45:52 PM »
For me, it was going over tracks that caused it mainly. I went to the dealer and they adjusted it for me. Was a little loose. '08 model.
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Offline trog

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2012, 05:53:24 PM »
Quote from: gPink on March 13, 2012, 05:23:32 PM
I would think so but I couldn't say for sure. Just curious does the clunk occur on the application of the brakes or on the release.
On application. Just before I come to a complete stop.

Quote from: DenverC-14 on March 13, 2012, 05:45:52 PM
For me, it was going over tracks that caused it mainly. I went to the dealer and they adjusted it for me. Was a little loose. '08 model.
I guess I'll try the dealer tomorrow

Thanks for the help guys...
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Offline gPink

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2012, 06:01:51 PM »
Quote from: trog on March 13, 2012, 05:53:24 PM
On application. Just before I come to a complete stop.
I guess I'll try the dealer tomorrow

Thanks for the help guys...
At the point of complete stop does the front end rebound normally or after you release the brake lever?
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Offline trog

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2012, 06:26:38 PM »
Quote from: gPink on March 13, 2012, 06:01:51 PM
At the point of complete stop does the front end rebound normally or after you release the brake lever?
Yeah, it seems to. To be honest, I haven't specifically checked for that but I've not noticed anything weird with the rebound...
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Offline lather

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #11 on: March 13, 2012, 08:34:57 PM »
Quote from: trog on March 13, 2012, 05:17:25 PM
It is. Is the bearing adjustment covered? I'd rather shoot myself in the foot than go to a dealer (even for warranty work) but it's looking that way...
Steering play inspection and adjustment is a periodic maintenance item, I don't think maintenance is covered under warranty. But if you bought a used bike from the dealer and the steering play was not in spec then seems to me they should adjust for free.
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Offline Eric119

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2012, 12:15:08 AM »
Quote from: trog on March 13, 2012, 03:46:50 PM
Hey Guys

So I'm about a week into ownership of my new to me C-14 and am really loving the bike. It's an '09 ABS with just shy of 9K miles.

Today I noticed a "clunk" noise from the front end under braking that I can feel in the handlebars. If I ease to a stop there's no sign of it but with semi hard braking it's obvious. I can duplicate it sitting here in my garage by rocking the bike with the front brake on although  it's not as extreme as when riding.

I can't really tell if it's maybe the head bearing or the brakes and am at a loss on how to diagnose where it's coming from and was hoping to get some suggestions.

I've only ridden maybe 400 miles since I got the bike and this didn't seem to show up til today. I haven't made any adjustments to the bike since I got it other than bringing the tire pressure up from 35 to 42psi.

Any help is appreciated...

Was there recent brake work done? One of my associates had brake work done, road it for a few miles hearing clunking sound. Upon inspection he found calipers were not tighten properly. ugh1
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2012, 04:10:28 AM »
That's not a bad idea.  You may want to check all the bolts in the wheel area for tightness.  Check the fairing stay bolts that attach to the front steering tube as well.  My bet is that it's the steering bearings, though.
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Offline trog

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Re: Need Help with Front End Noise
« Reply #14 on: March 14, 2012, 10:35:08 AM »
Quote from: VirginiaJim on March 14, 2012, 04:10:28 AM
My bet is that it's the steering bearings, though.
Good call. Went by the dealer and it's all squared away. The tech was a bit perplexed that he could not feel any play in the forks with the front raised but went ahead tightened it just a bit. No more "clunk". Cost me one hour labor but I'm happy. Thanks for the help.
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