Knocking forks

[sunshine]

Im having trouble with handling now my SV is back on the road, it doesnt feel normal. so i got it home after a quick test and have found that if i hold the brake and push down on the forks theres a knock which wasnt there before, the bike has had a low speed spill so i need a list of what it could be, followed by the best way to check its that and the best solution.
My bike is a curvy with 19K on the clock, and 11stone of weight on the seat.

Oh yes it needs fixing for Tuesday with a bank balance of £0 until Friday.

Thanks Sunshine

[RGV250ads]

Try tighenting up the headstock bearings. Could have come loose. Place your palm on the large nut and the bike into a wall and push the bike into the wall, then push on the handlebars, if you can feel the knock through the palm of your hand you'll more than likely find the bearings are loose.

[sunshine]

tried i cant feel anything, well i cant really get my palm on the nut because its a naked and the bars are there, is there any other way to check?

[RGV250ads]

have never seen a naked SV in the flesh sorry.

[sunshine]

well the bars are just behind that nut and you cant get a palm on it, but im guessing if i put my palm on the top of each fork leg that will elimate the problem being at each fork?

[sunshine]

just been and checked i have no idea where its coming from looks like asking a dealer to look at it tomorrow and see what they say.
or how would i tighten the bearings?

[RGV250ads]

they're tighened buy using a C spanner underneath the top yoke. To be honest if you've not got the appropriate tools or are unsure, go find someone that does.

Potenital for more harm caused if you dont know what youre looking at and doing

[yorkie_chris]

Get someone (or a jack) and hold front in air. Push forks around, see if you can feel play in head bearing.

Or it could just be forks being naff. They generally clonk a bit.

[sunshine]

well the steering moves from lock to lock smoothly so i dont think its bearings. what else could cause the handling to be crappy after a low speed spill?

[Dave20046]

well the steering moves from lock to lock smoothly so i dont think its bearings. what else could cause the handling to be crappy after a low speed spill?
Bent Forks.

When you're pushing up and down on the forks have you got the front brake on? If so, try it without.

[sunshine]

when pushing against a wall the knocking was still there, the forks look straight, i might have to ask the stealership whats wrong.

[Dave20046]

If you whip the fork legs out you should be able to tell by eye if they're going to make a difference to handling I suppose. Imagine that's all they'd do at the stealers, only a few bolts. Have you undone the yokes just to make sure they've not twisted a bit?

Typing this though I'm not sure if bent forks cause a knock...

[sunshine]

well i havent got anyway to hold the bike while i take the forks apart. and its not safe to hold the bike up from the engine using a trolley jack.

[Dave20046]

. and its not safe to hold the bike up from the engine using a trolley jack.
really?

[yorkie_chris]

I've done it numerous times including when pulling the forks out to adjust oil weights etc.

[Dave20046]

I've done it numerous times including when pulling the forks out to adjust oil weights etc.
It's the only means I have to hold bikes up, the bent banana spent many weeks propped up with beer crates/trolley jacks.

[sunshine]

YC how about you come and have a look tomorrow morning, i bet you can fix it in ten minutes Yorkshire isnt that far really.

[Dave20046]

And on ya way back you can sort out my bikes lectrics, I'll put the kettle on.

[dizzyblonde]

If its a bent fork, and only slightly you won't notice whilst they are stuck to the bike.
Many know the Dizzyblonde vs Deer incident on here. I rode that bike for another 2.5k with no issue. It wasn't until YC did a routine fork oil change and they were put back in did a handling issue come to light. Hitting Bambi at 60mph and riding into the sunset did more damage than at first thought.
Took em out and there was a hairline crease in the left one. It was only because the stancions had been put back rotated from their original point that something felt wierd.

Its highly unlikely that theres owt wrong....maybe the oil needs changing in them or you need to eat a few less pies! It really could be anything.

[zadar]

Knock can be springs inside fork (normal), rotors or brake pads (normal).

[sunshine]

so then i need yc to visit and sort it then.

[Dave20046]

you're positive it's not the 'sv clunk' aren't you?

[MHP ltd]

agree with Zadar, floating disc cause a knock, but if the knocks internaly, then i'd have to go with fork bush's being worn.

[sunshine]

you're positive it's not the 'sv clunk' aren't you?

never noticed it before so it could be.
so what else could cause handling issues? that wasnt there before?

[Dave20046]

If the forks are twisted in the yokes a bit, that's pretty common. How's handling affected?

[sunshine]

the forks are the sv knock i had the stealership look at it the head bearings were no good apparently, the dealer was good enoug to replace them for free because they replaced the head bearing less than 8000 miles, i still havent changed the front tyre since i have had the bike for just over 8000 miles!

the handlebars are slightly bend as well so they have dropped some new bandit bars on there for me, they also bleed the brakes better and stopped the engine running like a tractor. and there only going to charge me labour which is nice of them, there going to calculate it while i get a lift up there, i thought they need a calculator? im not going to be riding it for another few months then. good thing i have a massive overdraft really :D

[Owenski]

Mine does the same sunshine, its the SV clunk. Mine comes and goes, get it looked at by a pro and if they cant see any bend etc then I wouldnt worry about it.
Plus you've had an 'off' its only natural that you'd pay attention to the noises you'd have happily ignored previously.


Failing that... FRONT END UPGRADE!

[sunshine]

Plus you've had an 'off' its only natural that you'd pay attention to the noises you'd have happily ignored previously.


Failing that... FRONT END UPGRADE!

On the way home it felt great, then in the fast lane up the dual carriage way less than a quarter of a mile from the dealer a Lexus changes lane, i just got back from A&E no breaks just bruises, the guy said is should try looking more visible when its dark. Ok so a bright yellow just polished bike not bright enough? how about a rider sitting up right with a hi-vis jacket over bike jacket, and dipped beam on!?!?!?!


Forks are now twisted, bars are bent luckily i saved the bike and no more damage was done. First thing that came out of his mouth was - lets not go through the insurances, then you should try and look more visible. so after calling an ambulance and police the dealer now has it sat in there showroom as they was closing early and didnt want to open all the back up. This SV is feeling unlucky :smt022:smt022:smt022i hope its written off new Ducati 796 time, but i did value to bike at £3k so they will repair it i bet.

[Icanopit]

Hope you are OK, although bruised, take care.
JOHN

[Dave20046]

On the way home it felt great, then in the fast lane up the dual carriage way less than a quarter of a mile from the dealer a Lexus changes lane, i just got back from A&E no breaks just bruises, the guy said is should try looking more visible when its dark. Ok so a bright yellow just polished bike not bright enough? how about a rider sitting up right with a hi-vis jacket over bike jacket, and dipped beam on!?!?!?!


Forks are now twisted, bars are bent luckily i saved the bike and no more damage was done. First thing that came out of his mouth was - lets not go through the insurances, then you should try and look more visible. so after calling an ambulance and police the dealer now has it sat in there showroom as they was closing early and didnt want to open all the back up. This SV is feeling unlucky :smt022:smt022:smt022i hope its written off new Ducati 796 time, but i did value to bike at £3k so they will repair it i bet.
Sorry to hear about the bike/bruises, atleast you're alright. Make sure the police ahve a log of it and ring your insurance tell them exactly what's happened and let them know that you might not be going through insurance but you're just making them aware (been in the same situation)
Secondly it doesn't matter what you valued the bike at it matters what their book price is.
My old bike cost me a grand but their book said it was worth over £1600 so they repaired it at the cost of £800.

[sunshine]

I want to go through insurances because i was fully legal, not speeding correctly aware of the sutiation and the old **** is trying not to pay up, police are aware and they said you shouldnt of been going so fast... I caught the bike before it hit the deck, how was able to do that at over 40mph?!?! some people are right ****ing ****holes.

(warning: the only english i really know is bad english)

[Dave20046]

police said you were going to fast or he was?
do you have a witness?

If he ain't paying you out of insurance then you need to go through insurance if it was his fault, if he is willing to pay fully for the repair out of insurance then it's your call. But insurance is a lot of hassle and there's a chance you might get nowt (apart from higher premiums)

[sunshine]

i think both the police and old **** is saying im going to fast the car behind be said i was going too slow!
the old **** isnt going to pay im bet so insurance it is and my insurance company wont give me something because i have a car. its going to be fun getting this paid out then.

what happened was dual carriage, left hand lane standstill, right lane me going 20-30mph (40mph road), lexus changes lane no mirrors, signaling or blindspot check. I hit his front wing and drivers door, damages to the car, front wing bent, drivers door caved in (wont open), bulls eyed drivers window and lost a wing mirror.

[yorkie_chris]

So even if you were doing 40mph he can f*ck himself. His liability no question about it. Have you got contact details for the guy behind you?

[sunshine]

yes as do the police, i thought that was dangerous driving and driving without due care and attention? and there asking about the way i rode? ****ing ****s.

[Owenski]

Just seen this glad your ok. So he has pulled out from the stationary traffic and into where you were riding? You werent even filtering? Im guessing the right hand lane was clear if you were doing 20-30.
I've gotta say go through the insurance because it sounds totally his fault, failing that get him to put in writing that he will pay for the damage/a replacment have it signed by a witness and take it to the police to check it will hold up in court if he fails to pay you out.

Abi had a minor dent in a car park a while back. between them they agreed in the car park that it wasnt Abi's fault and that the other woman would pay. They swapped names and numbers but nothing else the phone number was a real number but it got disconnected shortly after the accident so Abi got nothing. I assume you still got his plate etc if the police were called, its been logged so defo at least inform the insurance company it'll look a lot better on you if you do that.

[Dave20046]

So even if you were doing 40mph he can f*ck himself. His liability no question about it. Have you got contact details for the guy behind you?
+ 1000000000
Please tell me you got the car behind's details.
If I was you, if your insurance company are closed now, I'd ring him in the morning explain exactly why it was his fault ask him if he'd still like to keep it out of the hands of insurance (make it obvious you're doing him a favour!) if the answer's no, keep it polite, tell him you're going via the official avenues in that case. Ring your insurance company asap.

If your insurance company still have the lines open tonight i'd definitely tell them what's going on.

[sunshine]

I still have to work tonight, my supervisor is going to pick me up about 9, i will wait to hear what the dealer says the damage is, then explain to the old fool how much hes going to owe the dealer. if he doesnt play ball then i will make sure it goes through the insurance and pay to get the work done so i can still use my bike, and wait for the insurances to pay up.