Clunk noise at steering head area.

[scoudoucguy]

Noise occurs when crossing a small bump at very slow speed. Steering head bearings are tight. Bike ridden on pavement only and has only 20k miles. Have played with various suspension adjustments with no change. Clunk noise is intermittent, does 't happen regularly but often enough to wonder if something is coming apart. Thought I'd ask for ideas as to what else I should be looking at before going to the dealer. BTW, I took all of the plastic off and could not find any obvious loose part. Suggestions welcomed and appreciated.

 

[Fordf350]

Not trying to be a smart ass, this is from my own experience. Have you recently changed helmets or stopped wearing ear plugs? Rode about 250 miles yesterday on a dual sport ride, not on my Tenere. The first 100 miles I thought my chain was about to come apart, but then realized I was not wearing my ear plugs. Bike was in fine working order. Had a similar experience on the Tenere with motor noise.

 

[Paul466]

Noise occurs when crossing a small bump at very slow speed. Steering head bearings are tight. Bike ridden on pavement only and has only 20k miles. Have played with various suspension adjustments with no change. Clunk noise is intermittent, does 't happen regularly but often enough to wonder if something is coming apart. Thought I'd ask for ideas as to what else I should be looking at before going to the dealer. BTW, I took all of the plastic off and could not find any obvious loose part. Suggestions welcomed and appreciated.

Check Your tower bolt, it might be loose, also check the bracket that holds it, mine cracked and had to get it welded

 

[scoudoucguy]

Check Your tower bolt, it might be loose, also check the bracket that holds it, mine cracked and had to get it welded

Not sure where the tower bolt is. I'm not too familiar with this bike yet.

Not trying to be a smart ass, this is from my own experience. Have you recently changed helmets or stopped wearing ear plugs? Rode about 250 miles yesterday on a dual sport ride, not on my Tenere. The first 100 miles I thought my chain was about to come apart, but then realized I was not wearing my ear plugs. Bike was in fine working order. Had a similar experience on the Tenere with motor noise.

Tried both helmets (full face and 3/4) and even without a helmet et for a short ride. Noise is coming from steering head area for sure.

 

[scoudoucguy]

Check Your tower bolt, it might be loose, also check the bracket that holds it, mine cracked and had to get it welded

Actually, don't know what that bolt looks like or where it is located. I checked every visible bolt I could see and all are tight.

 

[Paul466]

Not sure where the tower bolt is. I'm not too familiar with this bike yet.
Tried both helmets (full face and 3/4) and even without a helmet et for a short ride. Noise is coming from steering head area for sure.

See if Your headlights move if you try to lift them up & down, you can see the bolt if you look down the front of the triple clamps,Here’s a picture of the broken bracket I found,tower bolts to it

 

[RCinNC]

Any chance that someone lifted the gas tank at some point in the past and forgot to replace the front mounting bolts?

 

[scoudoucguy]

Any chance that someone lifted the gas tank at some point in the past and forgot to replace the front mounting bolts?

I did lift the tank . All bolts replaced and tank is secure,

 

[scoudoucguy]

See if Your headlights move if you try to lift them up & down, you can see the bolt if you look down the front of the triple clamps,Here’s a picture of the broken bracket I found,tower bolts to itView attachment 104991

Thanks. I'll check that out.

 

[holligl]

Do you carry tools? If carried loosely tools will rattle.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[jeckyll]

See if Your headlights move if you try to lift them up & down, you can see the bolt if you look down the front of the triple clamps,Here’s a picture of the broken bracket I found,tower bolts to itView attachment 104991

That looks properly mangled.

 

[scoudoucguy]

Thanks. I'll check that out.

Just back from the garage. Found the bolt and it is very tight and bracket has no cracks. When I was reinstalling the plastic parts I had removed from the headlight area, I touched the large 25 ml nut on top of the steering head and it moved. I removed by hand and reinstalled it, tightening it with slip joint players. No idea of the torque requirement there. Went for a short test ride and did not hear the clunk at all. Thanks to you and others who replied to my post, I believe the problem is solved. Once I can torque it properly, I will apply blue Locktite.

 

[Sierra1]

Noise occurs when crossing a small bump at very slow speed. Steering head bearings are tight. Bike ridden on pavement only and has only 20k miles. . . .

I'm guessing you checked them by checking for movement then?

 

[bimota]

if you mean the top nut in the picture 6 the torque figure is shown

 

[Paul466]

That looks properly mangled.

It cracked from vibrations while off-roading for few seasons

 

[scoudoucguy]

if you mean the top nut in the picture 6 the torque figure is shown
View attachment 105004

Yes! That's the one. I will order a new one and then buy a socket to fit and torque to 94 ft/lb. In the meantime, with
my slip pliers, I was able to tighten bolt approximately another 1/8th turn. Rode the bike for about 150 kms and only
heard a slight thump once. I'm very happy and thank you.

 

[scoudoucguy]

I'm guessing you checked them by checking for movement then?

Yes, I did. Very tight, and smooth movement from left to right, etc.

 

[jeckyll]

It cracked from vibrations while off-roading for few seasons

Damn! You must have really hit some stuff hard