dreaded knock??

[dizzyblonde]

its been covered a few times, but The black has been a knocking when coming across lumps and bumps in the road, steering a bit loose. im indoors tightened head bearing-slightly better. Doesn't want to tighten it too much in case it knackers it. (maybe that Deer did more than spoiling the paintjob)
It is a little irritating, its perhaps reasurance I'm looking for. and being a bit dippy in the mechanical department,
but if it is on its way out is there any thing I need to be aware of? Will the front end fall off in the middle of France? or am I just being a Dizzyblonde?
I know you can over tighten them, I need to know its safe.

Better slightly loose than tight cos tight can affect your steering! They should be just tight enough that you can't detect any knocking and no tighter! When they were adjusted did you pack them with grease? They might just be very dry!

[fizzwheel]

Every SV I've ridden has knocked and clunked when going over big bumps...

[dizzyblonde]

I have no idea. Im indoors steals my bike and takes it to his house for required tools and brings it back. Its still knocking a bit. before it appeared to fall back on itself? But thats not as bad now.In fact its annoying. I just don't want the front end falling off or something. This trip is stressing me out and I don't want anything else going wrong with the bikes, cause believe me we've had our fair share

Hehehe I don't think the front of the bike will 'fall off'! Even on a push bike the head bearings can be so loose that they are falling out all over the road and the bike still won't come apart!

If there's only a slight knock it could be down to dry bearings (which are difficult to tighten correctly) or they just need another slight tweak. They do have to be bang on accurate to be right. Usually with ballrace bearings as you tighten them 'they' tighten themselves....its a weird phenomenon, same thing with wheel bearings. You have to set them up a tiny bit loose so when you tighten them they are spot on. A mechanic can do the job in 30 seconds but it usually takes me about 3 days!

I think some knocking sounds are caused by the fairing and fender. Just buckling under the stress of British pot-holes!


They could be needle bearings...not sure...doesn't make any difference though...just easier to adjust!

Go enjoy your riding Dizzy your front end is safe!

[quote=RhythmJunkie;1259022]
I think some knocking sounds are caused by the fairing and fender. Just buckling under the stress of British pot-holes!

Mine knocks over manholes and the like,and was told,as well,by a guy at Cresent,they all do.
Now i am sure when the SV's were designed,and Suzuki engineers tested them,they would not have thought a knocking noise was exceptible.
So could it be poor/lack of servicing or wear,(or that the Suzuki engineers are smaller,lighter than us UK chaps)
I too have the feeling it may not be the head bearings,but something else attacthed to thr front end.
When i am fighting fit again,i will do do some testing in various stages of undress,and see if i can pin it down.

Mike

Did he grease the bearings or just tighten??? They could well be dry (lot of wet and hot weather recently) and just tightening to compensate is bad ...

The knock might also simply be the bushes in the forks themselves. If you get it lifted up in a stand (ABBA type stand is best here) and move the forks back and forth at the wheel, you should be able to replicate any movement and maybe even a clunk

dirtyblonde...I hope you get your prob sorted soon.

So could it be poor/lack of servicing or wear,(or that the Suzuki engineers are smaller,lighter than us UK chaps)

Or maybe the Japanese resurface their roads properly!