[Axorr]

Hey, everyone. I'm trying to track this down - or at least see if anyone else has experienced this.

Whenever I back up the bike and am turning the fork hard to either the left or the right, there is a 'pop' just before it goes all the way to the left - or the right. The 'pop' or 'catch' happens, then it goes the rest of the way to the fork stops (the last 10% or so of turn). I have checked the fork turning lock, but that appears to be fully recessed.

I have also noticed it happen while rolling forward - when the forks need to turn all the way over.

What the heck could this be?

 

[sfcmcgan]

make sure your axle is tight....

 

[headeast]

I noticed the same symptoms on my bike a while ago. Couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I then put a wrench on the two hex nuts on top of each fork, and found them to be a little loose. Tightened them up and good to go. Problem solved.

 

[MY LIFE]

Do you have a Low and Mean Reaper front fender? I get that noise when I back my bike into the garage and turn the wheel sharp to the right. It is the bottom of the fender catching the rubber on my tire on the right side.

 

[Axorr]

Do you have a Low and Mean Reaper front fender? I get that noise when I back my bike into the garage and turn the wheel sharp to the right. It is the bottom of the fender catching the rubber on my tire on the right side.

Nope. No Low & Mean front fender.
The pop happens when I turn all the way over left OR right.

I will try tightening down the tops of the fork tubes today and see if those seem to need a slight turn...

 

[Axorr]

Finally had to drop her off at the dealer. They felt the popping right away and felt they needed to keep her. They will be taking the front end apart tomorrow morning. Here's hoping they find the problem...

 

[sfcmcgan]

Bet it is the head bearing... they get loose sometimes

 

[11Stryker]

Please let us know what they find.

 

[ROADKILL]

Bet it is the head bearing... they get loose sometimes

Yeah it could be the steering bearings....glad the dealer heard it also....a lot of dealers always want to say "Nope we couldn't replicate what you're saying"

 

[Axorr]

I've been quite lucky with the places I've purchased my motorcycles.

This dealer has been pretty great - a mom-n-pop shop of sorts - similar to where I've gone down in Texas.
They have called me a couple times since the purchase to be sure I'm happy with the ride.

They are guessing it's an issue in the bearings as well. We shall see tomorrow, I hope.

 

[Skwerlee]

The service manual calls for repacking the steering head bearings at the 16k service. I've got 13,500 on my bike and I think I'll probably need to do that. I've noticed some grease buildup on the underside of the steering head. Also, when i put the bike on the stand the front end always flops over to the left instead of staying stationary...didn't used to do that.

 

[SmokenJoe]

The service manual calls for repacking the steering head bearings at the 16k service. I've got 13,500 on my bike and I think I'll probably need to do that. I've noticed some grease buildup on the underside of the steering head. Also, when i put the bike on the stand the front end always flops over to the left instead of staying stationary...didn't used to do that.

I snuged my bearing up not long ago. Still flops but not as fast. Just might be a good winter project to pull them and check.

 

[Skwerlee]

The service manual calls for repacking the steering head bearings at the 16k service. I've got 13,500 on my bike and I think I'll probably need to do that. I've noticed some grease buildup on the underside of the steering head. Also, when i put the bike on the stand the front end always flops over to the left instead of staying stationary...didn't used to do that.

I snuged my bearing up not long ago. Still flops but not as fast. Just might be a good winter project to pull them and check.

how many miles you have on yours Joe?

 

[SmokenJoe]

5500

 

[Axorr]

Just got the bike bike yesterday afternoon. Some of the front end needed more tightening down and adjustment than I was able to accomplish myself. She seems to be smooth as silk now!

Another huge plus for my dealer. They offered to trailer the bike 50 miles to my house for me. The fix and the trailer ride were all free of charge. I do like being taken care of - great service and I promise I will be purchasing additional items through them as well!

 

[mikoloe]

Cool beans I like it when a Mom and pops place takes car of you...

I do my own oil changes, I go to this mom and pops place to get my supplies. Helps to keep them in business. They give me a receipt that has the type of oil and filter I bought with the date. I just write the mileage on the paper and file it. Makes a little difference when it comes time to trade or sale it.

http://www.b4binc.com/ bikes for bikers!

 

[Axorr]

I almost bought my last bike from Bikes4bikers! They are great folks as well!

When I was first figuring out how to mount ANYTHING onto the bike (grips, pipes, air cleaners...), they'd help me with the install so I could 'do it myself' - but with their assistance. They were fantastic people and great teachers!

It's nice to see they are still in business.

 

[ROADKILL]

The shop I go to will let me use their shop & tools for minor work if they're not busy..I've been letting them do the oil change since they only charge me for the oil + $10.00. The guy that owns it used to work for a dealership and got tired of watching people get ripped off on shop fees.

Glad you got the problem fixed.