fork clunking when compressed
- Thread starter Tuna209
- Start date
Sounds like you have lost a fork seal. Then if enough oil has leaked our it could clunk on compression. It should also handle very poorly! Not sure if that is a warranty problem? Have you been doing wheelies? Could just have some dirt between the seal and the fork? Dirt bike riders have a "tool" they use to clear dirt. It's a thin curved shape flat piece of like a playing card. You have to pull the dust seal down the fork then use the tool. If you don't know how to use it you should have it done by someone who does. Either way the forks will have to have oil added too.
Brick
Brick
Brick is referring to the SealMate - http://sealmate.net/. This is a super cheap and very portable/packable tool that should be in every ADV riders on-bike toolkit. It can help clean up a leaky fork seal in the field that might just prevent further damage.
I just had my right front seal go at 11k. It coated the front wheel in oil on a long 3-day ADV ride. Fork still sounded OK - no clunks! I ordered the fork seal parts and got a local independent shop to do the work since I do not have the yamaha tools, the skills, or the time to do it myself. If memory serves me correctly, it was about $55 in parts and $125 labor for both forks. The stealership wanted $250 plus parts at inflated prices. Here are the parts I got (maybe an extra or two) for the job.
4V4-23146-L0-00 WASHER,OIL SEAL
3XJ-23145-L0-00 FORK SEAL
4V4-23153-L0-00 RING,SNAP
4DA-23144-L0-00 SEAL, DUST
5JW-2219X-00-00 COVER
90338-30267-00 PLUG
5EB-23125-00-00 METAL, SLIDE 1
Since then I have been running neoprene fork seal protectors to minimize the crud that can get in there to do damage.
I just had my right front seal go at 11k. It coated the front wheel in oil on a long 3-day ADV ride. Fork still sounded OK - no clunks! I ordered the fork seal parts and got a local independent shop to do the work since I do not have the yamaha tools, the skills, or the time to do it myself. If memory serves me correctly, it was about $55 in parts and $125 labor for both forks. The stealership wanted $250 plus parts at inflated prices. Here are the parts I got (maybe an extra or two) for the job.
4V4-23146-L0-00 WASHER,OIL SEAL
3XJ-23145-L0-00 FORK SEAL
4V4-23153-L0-00 RING,SNAP
4DA-23144-L0-00 SEAL, DUST
5JW-2219X-00-00 COVER
90338-30267-00 PLUG
5EB-23125-00-00 METAL, SLIDE 1
Since then I have been running neoprene fork seal protectors to minimize the crud that can get in there to do damage.
Thank you for the info. I never learned how to do wheelies. Which owning a Buell Uly not wheeling it is against some rules of ownership or something.
And the leak was over the winter so no evidence on rim or anywhere else. Just a large amount of black sludge on the tube. Also this was first ride of the year and with the reflash from avc813 . Relearned how to ride again as it changed the bike's character. S mode now is sinful and have been playing in this mode for most of the last ride. Never noticed the handling being a problem as it was just twist and shout straight line fun. Will get the fork tool on order and change oil on both tubes.
And the leak was over the winter so no evidence on rim or anywhere else. Just a large amount of black sludge on the tube. Also this was first ride of the year and with the reflash from avc813 . Relearned how to ride again as it changed the bike's character. S mode now is sinful and have been playing in this mode for most of the last ride. Never noticed the handling being a problem as it was just twist and shout straight line fun. Will get the fork tool on order and change oil on both tubes.
RED CAT
New Member
Your clunking is caused by your fork stem nut being too loose. Loosen the top fork clamp pinch bolts and the big nut between the handle bars. Then take a hammer and punch to the lock nuts under the top clamp and tighten down into the steering stem. Don't be afraid to whack with the hammer and punch. Tighten them up good. Then lock down the steering stem nut on top well. Then retighten the top fork clamp pinch bolts. These don't have to be tight, just snug. Pretty sure that will take care of your clunking.