Need help, bike is only transportation.

trtlpmp · 04-10-2007, 11:00 AM

When I turn the bars all the way to the left or right, it makes a clunking sound. I have no idea what it could be, and I'm pretty worried because if my bike goes down, I have no way to work.

*sinfuldragon* · 04-10-2007, 11:06 AM

head bearings?

trtlpmp · 04-10-2007, 11:08 AM

Where are those? How bad is it? What are some of the possible causes?

*sinfuldragon* · 04-10-2007, 11:17 AM

One that may not be the cause, the manual says you can hear noise if the forks are low on fluid (not sure what kind of noise, just says noise).
Is the steering stiff? does the bike pull to one side or another doing down the road? Maybe this will help point us in the right direction.

trtlpmp · 04-10-2007, 11:22 AM

Nothing wobbles, bike drives straight. No bar vibration......Not hard to steer. Just a clunking noise, but it has to be turned all the way to the point where it stops to make the noise.

HiLi_Psyclez · 04-10-2007, 11:39 AM

see if the head bolt is tight, mine made a clunk before when id brake hard ended up being hte nut ont he top triple was loose. Id check that or like sinful said possible bad bearings if the nut is tight. Check the lock nuts under the triple also.

First thing i always do w/ clunks or noises like that is check for loose bolts, these badboys vibrate alot so .. good idea to go over the bolts once a month or so. I always find at least one bolt/nut loose everytime i do.

*sinfuldragon* · 04-10-2007, 11:42 AM

When are you riding that you need to turn the bars all the way.

just to ask a stupid question and get it out of the way... did you install clipons that are maybe hitting the frame or something when turned all the way?

trtlpmp · 04-10-2007, 12:09 PM

No, that's a fair question.
When I'm backing up. Still have the stock bars on.

*sinfuldragon* · 04-10-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trtlpmp

No, that's a fair question.
When I'm backing up. Still have the stock bars on.

In that case start with HiLi's suggestion and check that bolt over the main bearings. If thats not loose, thats my bet of whats wrong. Also as he pointed out if you grab the front breaks and stop hard you will probably hear that same noise from there if there is an issue

Red Rider · 04-10-2007, 9:23 PM

You need to raise the front end up and wiggle it to try and locate the source. It could be several things causing the noise...steering head, brake caliper, rotor, etc.

trtlpmp · 04-11-2007, 2:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinfuldragon

In that case start with HiLi's suggestion and check that bolt over the main bearings. If thats not loose, thats my bet of whats wrong. Also as he pointed out if you grab the front breaks and stop hard you will probably hear that same noise from there if there is an issue

Tried braking hard, no noise. Checked the bolt, it's tight.

trtlpmp · 04-11-2007, 2:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rider

You need to raise the front end up and wiggle it to try and locate the source. It could be several things causing the noise...steering head, brake caliper, rotor, etc.

Like put some straps around the bars and over a beam?

*sinfuldragon* · 04-11-2007, 7:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trtlpmp

Like put some straps around the bars and over a beam?

Or just be a man and pick it up with your bare hands.... the choice is yours

Red Rider · 04-11-2007, 8:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trtlpmp

Like put some straps around the bars and over a beam?

No, you don't want a direct load on the front end. You want it to be unloaded so you can check the movement freely and listen for any sounds. A front stand that lifts by the steering stem hole will work. You could also try running a strap under the steering head and lifting it from there...carefully.

HiLi_Psyclez · 04-11-2007, 10:41 AM

or have a buddy rock the bike back onthe kickstand if you dont have another way to unload the front. Like redrider said it could be a caliper or a few other possibility if it isnt the stem nut. Front wheel bearings???

trtlpmp · 04-15-2007, 4:40 PM

Okay, I found out what it was. First of all, thank you to everyone who replied. The front axle bolt was loose. First I loosened everything up, then re-tightened everything per the manual, and took it for a test ride. No more "clunck".

slickwill · 04-15-2007, 4:58 PM

I think that is almost scarier than finding the head bolt loose. I try to check all of my bolts every so often but I might increase that frequency now.

HiLi_Psyclez · 04-16-2007, 12:22 PM

glad you caught it bro, were the pinch bolts still tight?
These things vibrate, i try to go through all my bolts pretty often, always find a few loose ones. never an axle though lol.

trtlpmp · 04-26-2007, 4:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiLi_Psyclez

glad you caught it bro, were the pinch bolts still tight?
These things vibrate, i try to go through all my bolts pretty often, always find a few loose ones. never an axle though lol.

Yeah, they were tight. Tight enough, I don't know.