Clunking Front Forks

[dizzyblonde]

hhhhmm, I see reasons for lifting the wheel off the deck, but what happens if the movement is clearly loose even when on the floor, at the moment the black bike you can move it side to side tooooooo easily, and it bangs quick when it gets to full lock. However Suzy has a smooth, firm, side to side movement, which to me points out theres something really wrong with the front end of the black bike. Plus she don't fall in on herself when riding unlike the black,

sorry to pinch your thread squirrel, I'm trying to get to the bottom of this headscratcher, cause its stealing my confidence and I feel like its going to cause something nasty.

There were Ohlins springs defo put in, and 12.5 oil??

[squirrel_hunter]

Right not been able to check the headstock bearings as I can't lift the front on me own and my irregular help is not around at the mo. Can't jack it up either as I'd need to get the rear on a paddock stand for safety and can't do that as the bobbins and Shark Fin are in the way and its only a cup stand. Looks like I'm gonna have to wait til the weekend and a trip to the bike shop...

So while we wait for some firm update from me, and further thoughts out there on are Dizzy'z bike?

[yorkie_chris]

Louisa's bike has, IMO a rather dodgy headstock, which we shall properly investigate when her other bike is out of my garage.

I don't like her black bike, it put up a fight when trying to strip the carbs last time before the AR. Big hammer is waiting so it had better behave.

[tinpants]

Sounds to me as though your forks have got a slight bend in them. This would account for the notchiness. You may be able to get round this with slightly heavier weight fork oil but I think, and this will bear out sooner rarther than later IF I'm right, you will need to get your forks seen to.

At least you've got second and third gear

[dizzyblonde]

hmmm, if your on about my bike, then a deer at 60mph caused a nasty bang. But, they always have had the SV clunk, and it rode perfectly SV normal after that. The bearings were tweeked up a couple of months after that event as the knocking got a little worse, and, it improved a little. Also its been to Bordeaux and back, which is why we tweeked em up.
We got back from France in August and its only this last couple of months I've seen a significant change

[21QUEST]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

hmmm, if your on about my bike, then a deer at 60mph caused a nasty bang. But, they always have had the SV clunk, and it rode perfectly SV normal after that. The bearings were tweeked up a couple of months after that event as the knocking got a little worse, and, it improved a little. Also its been to Bordeaux and back, which is why we tweeked em up.
We got back from France in August and its only this last couple of months I've seen a significant change

When the bearings are on their way out or loose , they can feel right after been adjusted but sometimes depending on how long they have been 'out'... adjustment wise, you get back to 'square on' in not too long a time.

If the movement is not notchy at moment(just loose), you could trying adjusting them again(only slightly) and then check again. If they have gone way past just needing adjusting, they they will/should immediatly feel notchy .


Ben

Hi all. My suspension sounds the same over big bumps, it seems to be when the forks have to compress very quickly. I've been told that it's because they're budget "damper rod" forks which don't soak up big bumps as well as more expensive "cartridge forks".
As for your head bearings DON'T TOUCH THEM UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I tried to stop the suspension knocking by tightening the bearings and put a notch in the steering.

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

Anyone else out there with progressives on, how would you describe the ride?

Well it been a few years since I had a standard front end on my own Curvy, but the progressive springs I fitted in 2000 cured the clunking fork issue for me (helped stop the forks bottming out). If it isn't the head bearing then I would say have a look in your forks, I'm guessing it still has the original springs in there and not enough oil!!!

[squirrel_hunter]

Got it sorted at the weekend so thanks to all those who posted suggestions. The problem is now curred. All I have now is the normal "They all so that Sir" sound that I am more than used to, it also soaks up the bumps - I'm no longer part of the suspension!

So what was it I hear you ask... Well the forks were striped and progressives found, everything was present and correct but the oil was mank. It was very old and used, we don't know its weight but it moved a lot less then new 15w oil. The forks have now been rebuilt with the standard 10w and I'll see how that goes, depending on performance I may up that to 15w at a later date, well see.

Cool, another problem solved.

Now the next problem, try to help me find the hole in the bottom of my bank account as my money keeps falling out of it!!!