Pre-gen Fork Clunk

dcj13 · February 7th, 2014, 06:07 PM

Got some questions about pre-gen front forks. One or both of the forks on my ’03 “clunk” when the fork goes from no load (no weight on the front wheel) to loaded with the weight of the bike. I can make it make the noise at will when the bike is on the center stand and I lift and drop the front wheel. It’ll make the noise on the road conditions are right (coming off a bump at a certain speed).

Is this common for higher mileage Ninjettes (mine has 26K mi)? Is the fix to add spacers between the springs and the fork caps? Or is it time for new fork springs and oil? And what brands of springs are good for these bikes?

Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

GeorgeRYoung · February 7th, 2014, 06:11 PM

If you put some weight on the seat and loft the front wheel, you can check for play.

dcj13 · February 7th, 2014, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Young

If you put some weight on the seat and loft the front wheel, you can check for play.

Good idea. Wife does a fine job of that, but doesn't like being in the cold garage. Was able to isolate noise to axial loading of fork tube, but only had about 30 seconds to do it.

Will try to coax her to spend 5 minutes out there with me so I can verify and repeatedly demonstrate noise.

Boosted139 · February 7th, 2014, 06:52 PM

It could be loose steering head bearings

dcj13 · February 7th, 2014, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boosted139

It could be loose steering head bearings

I was thinking that too, but I can't get any clunking with weight on the wheels or by pusining the bike with the front wheel against a wall.

I really do need to get someone to sit on the seat with the bike on the centerstand so I can wiggle and push the wheel up and down to absolutely determine exactly where and which side the noise is coming from.

choneofakind · February 7th, 2014, 08:26 PM

Try walking the bike forward and playing with the front brake. If it's the stem bearings, that will replicate the noise. That's how I knew my head bearings needed replacement.

February 7th, 2014, 06:07 PM	#1
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Pre-gen Fork Clunk Got some questions about pre-gen front forks. One or both of the forks on my ’03 “clunk” when the fork goes from no load (no weight on the front wheel) to loaded with the weight of the bike. I can make it make the noise at will when the bike is on the center stand and I lift and drop the front wheel. It’ll make the noise on the road conditions are right (coming off a bump at a certain speed). Is this common for higher mileage Ninjettes (mine has 26K mi)? Is the fix to add spacers between the springs and the fork caps? Or is it time for new fork springs and oil? And what brands of springs are good for these bikes? Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

February 7th, 2014, 06:11 PM	#2
GeorgeRYoung ninjette.org member Name: George Location: Ottawa, Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): EX250, C10 Concours Posts: 109	possibly steering head bearing If you put some weight on the seat and loft the front wheel, you can check for play.

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February 7th, 2014, 06:52 PM	#4
Boosted139 ninjette.org guru Name: Justin Location: Central NJ Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2009 Triumph Daytona 675 Posts: 334	It could be loose steering head bearings

February 7th, 2014, 08:26 PM	#6
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Try walking the bike forward and playing with the front brake. If it's the stem bearings, that will replicate the noise. That's how I knew my head bearings needed replacement.