Page 1 of 1
clunk in the front
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 1:17 pm
by Robert J. Kaub
Saturday I noticed my '98 making this clunking sound when I come to a stop
and the front end does that little rebound as you stop.
Loose head bearings came to mind so I decided to confirm the diagnosis by
lifting the bike on the centerstand and doing the grab and shake the front
forks thing.
Here's where it gets strange. When doing the front fork shake I was unable
to detect any looseness in the head bearings at all. I did this test twice
several hours apart and could not feel any looseness.
If the head bearings are not loose, then what is making the clunking sound.
The front brake caliper is tight.
Is there anything inside the forks which could loosen and clunk?
Thanks.
Bob Kaub
clunk in the front
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 1:22 pm
by squidwannabe@hotmail.com
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Robert J. Kaub" wrote:
> Saturday I noticed my '98 making this clunking sound when I come to
a stop
> and the front end does that little rebound as you stop.
> Loose head bearings came to mind so I decided to confirm the
diagnosis by
> lifting the bike on the centerstand and doing the grab and shake
the front
> forks thing.
> Here's where it gets strange. When doing the front fork shake I
was unable
> to detect any looseness in the head bearings at all. I did this
test twice
> several hours apart and could not feel any looseness.
> If the head bearings are not loose, then what is making the
clunking sound.
> The front brake caliper is tight.
> Is there anything inside the forks which could loosen and clunk?
> Thanks.
> Bob Kaub
Could it be your instrument cluster ?
clunk in the front
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 1:25 pm
by Zachariah Mully
Bob-
Have you replaced your fork springs with progressives or done any work
on the front suspension lately? I had this clunk after I had to pull my
forks apart... Nothing changed in the setup, but after I assembled them,
I think that the spacers weren't seated tight against the fork caps and
so would click (or clunk, I guess, if you've got PVC spacers) whenever
the front end would rebound hard (like coming into a stop light). I
never did fix it, and I think that it went away eventually. Dunno if
this is your case, but you might be able at least rule this out as a
cause for your clunk.
------------------
Zack
Banana Republic of Washington, DC
KLR650A5 "Buster"
ZG1000A1
1966 Vespa 125
COG #4664
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert J. Kaub [mailto:rkaub@...]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 2:17 PM
To: KLR
Subject: [DSN_klr650] Clunk in the Front
Saturday I noticed my '98 making this clunking sound when I come to a
stop
and the front end does that little rebound as you stop.
Loose head bearings came to mind so I decided to confirm the diagnosis
by
lifting the bike on the centerstand and doing the grab and shake the
front
forks thing.
Here's where it gets strange. When doing the front fork shake I was
unable
to detect any looseness in the head bearings at all. I did this test
twice
several hours apart and could not feel any looseness.
If the head bearings are not loose, then what is making the clunking
sound.
The front brake caliper is tight.
Is there anything inside the forks which could loosen and clunk?
Thanks.
Bob Kaub
clunk in the front
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 1:34 pm
by Robert J. Kaub
Zack:
I haven't done anything to the forks. They are completely stock including
the oil. The bike has a little less than 10,000 miles on it.
I do a high percentage of my riding on dirt roads with a lot of potholes,
which I usually just ride through, so the front end takes more of a beating
than a bike ridden mainly on paved roads.
clunk in the front
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 1:37 pm
by Phil Roddenberry
Hey Bob,
Check the stearing stem top nut for tightness... (the nut just below
the handlebars, between the handlebar clamps)
This 'nut' was loose on Lew Waterman's bike and was causing
a 'clunking' sound. (I could turn it by hand)
I loosened the lower front fork clamp bolts & nuts to free the fork
tubes. Removed the handlebars to tighten the top stem nut, (29 ft/lbs
torque) used a bit of 'blue' Loctite in hopes of preventing the nut
loosening again. Tightened the lower front fork clamp bolts to 18
ft/lbs torque... replaced handlebar and tightened clamp bolts to 17.5
ft/lbs torque. No more 'clunk' in the front end! (all torque specs
are from the Kawasaki service manual)
Phil A-15
Live Oak, FL
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Robert J. Kaub" wrote:
> Saturday I noticed my '98 making this clunking sound when I come to
a stop
> and the front end does that little rebound as you stop.
> Loose head bearings came to mind so I decided to confirm the
diagnosis by
> lifting the bike on the centerstand and doing the grab and shake
the front
> forks thing.
> Here's where it gets strange. When doing the front fork shake I
was unable
> to detect any looseness in the head bearings at all. I did this
test twice
> several hours apart and could not feel any looseness.
> If the head bearings are not loose, then what is making the
clunking sound.
> The front brake caliper is tight.
> Is there anything inside the forks which could loosen and clunk?
> Thanks.
> Bob Kaub
clunk in the front
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 4:16 pm
by punkynlew@hotmail.com
Hi Phil and List: The steering stem nut and all other work Phil did on
Critter are working perfectly. With 10k miles on the clock, nothing is
loose, rattling or out of the ordinary. The adventure tour and
experience of my lifetime is going very well, thanks to Phil and a lot
of other very nice and helpful people. The overnight 2" of snow is
mostly melted now here in the Black Forest of Colorado. Phil's advice
about finding free places to camp has been invaluable as well. Swede
and Bogdan were surprised that we could follow them anywhere they
chose to go. However, if I choose to ride the famous White Rim near
Moab, I will probably offload most of the gear and luggage. I'm now
carrying the TKC80 rear tire that was removed at Enid, OK as a spare
on top of the tailbox. Phil, I hope all is well on your homefront.
Later.
Punky & Lew
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Phil Roddenberry" wrote:
> Hey Bob,
>
> Check the stearing stem top nut for tightness... (the nut just below
> the handlebars, between the handlebar clamps)
>
> This 'nut' was loose on Lew Waterman's bike and was causing
> a 'clunking' sound. (I could turn it by hand)
>
> I loosened the lower front fork clamp bolts & nuts to free the fork
> tubes. Removed the handlebars to tighten the top stem nut, (29
ft/lbs
> torque) used a bit of 'blue' Loctite in hopes of preventing the nut
> loosening again. Tightened the lower front fork clamp bolts to 18
> ft/lbs torque... replaced handlebar and tightened clamp bolts to
17.5
> ft/lbs torque. No more 'clunk' in the front end! (all torque specs
> are from the Kawasaki service manual)
>
> Phil A-15
> Live Oak, FL
>
> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Robert J. Kaub" wrote:
> > Saturday I noticed my '98 making this clunking sound when I come
to
> a stop
> > and the front end does that little rebound as you stop.
> > Loose head bearings came to mind so I decided to confirm the
> diagnosis by
> > lifting the bike on the centerstand and doing the grab and shake
> the front
> > forks thing.
> > Here's where it gets strange. When doing the front fork shake I
> was unable
> > to detect any looseness in the head bearings at all. I did this
> test twice
> > several hours apart and could not feel any looseness.
> > If the head bearings are not loose, then what is making the
> clunking sound.
> > The front brake caliper is tight.
> > Is there anything inside the forks which could loosen and clunk?
> > Thanks.
> > Bob Kaub
clunk in the front
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 4:22 pm
by Susan Moorhead
Lew & Punky,
Glad to hear things worked out in Enid re: new rear tire. Hope they took
good care of you guys. We are keeping a file of your email messages to
supplement the trip reports, web site, etc... Glad you two got to stop for
a visit, good luck with the rest of your journey. Please know that you and
Punky will be in our prayers. Travel safe, have fun.
Marshall & Susan Moorhead
Afton, Ok
----- Original Message -----
From:
To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2001 4:15 PM
Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Clunk in the Front
> Hi Phil and List: The steering stem nut and all other work Phil did on
> Critter are working perfectly. With 10k miles on the clock, nothing is
> loose, rattling or out of the ordinary. The adventure tour and
> experience of my lifetime is going very well, thanks to Phil and a lot
> of other very nice and helpful people. The overnight 2" of snow is
> mostly melted now here in the Black Forest of Colorado. Phil's advice
> about finding free places to camp has been invaluable as well. Swede
> and Bogdan were surprised that we could follow them anywhere they
> chose to go. However, if I choose to ride the famous White Rim near
> Moab, I will probably offload most of the gear and luggage. I'm now
> carrying the TKC80 rear tire that was removed at Enid, OK as a spare
> on top of the tailbox. Phil, I hope all is well on your homefront.
> Later.
>
> Punky & Lew
>
> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Phil Roddenberry" wrote:
> > Hey Bob,
> >
> > Check the stearing stem top nut for tightness... (the nut just below
> > the handlebars, between the handlebar clamps)
> >
> > This 'nut' was loose on Lew Waterman's bike and was causing
> > a 'clunking' sound. (I could turn it by hand)
> >
> > I loosened the lower front fork clamp bolts & nuts to free the fork
> > tubes. Removed the handlebars to tighten the top stem nut, (29
> ft/lbs
> > torque) used a bit of 'blue' Loctite in hopes of preventing the nut
> > loosening again. Tightened the lower front fork clamp bolts to 18
> > ft/lbs torque... replaced handlebar and tightened clamp bolts to
> 17.5
> > ft/lbs torque. No more 'clunk' in the front end! (all torque specs
> > are from the Kawasaki service manual)
> >
> > Phil A-15
> > Live Oak, FL
> >
> > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Robert J. Kaub" wrote:
> > > Saturday I noticed my '98 making this clunking sound when I come
> to
> > a stop
> > > and the front end does that little rebound as you stop.
> > > Loose head bearings came to mind so I decided to confirm the
> > diagnosis by
> > > lifting the bike on the centerstand and doing the grab and shake
> > the front
> > > forks thing.
> > > Here's where it gets strange. When doing the front fork shake I
> > was unable
> > > to detect any looseness in the head bearings at all. I did this
> > test twice
> > > several hours apart and could not feel any looseness.
> > > If the head bearings are not loose, then what is making the
> > clunking sound.
> > > The front brake caliper is tight.
> > > Is there anything inside the forks which could loosen and clunk?
> > > Thanks.
> > > Bob Kaub
>
>
> Visit the KLR650 archives at
>
http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650
>
> Post message:
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com
> Subscribe:
DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Unsubscribe:
DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> List owner:
DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com
>
> Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at:
>
http://www.dualsportnews.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
clunk in the front
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 4:54 pm
by Andrus Chesley
I had this problem and tighten up on the steering head just a touch anyway.
Cured the klunk.
Andy Chesley
Jennings, La.
KLR & R11RA
> Saturday I noticed my '98 making this clunking sound when I come to a stop
> and the front end does that little rebound as you stop.
> Loose head bearings came to mind so I decided to confirm the diagnosis by
> lifting the bike on the centerstand and doing the grab and shake the front
> forks thing.
> Here's where it gets strange. When doing the front fork shake I was
unable
> to detect any looseness in the head bearings at all. I did this test
twice
> several hours apart and could not feel any looseness.
> If the head bearings are not loose, then what is making the clunking
sound.
> The front brake caliper is tight.
> Is there anything inside the forks which could loosen and clunk?
> Thanks.
> Bob Kaub
please help- looking for magazine articles pertaining to....
Posted: Mon May 21, 2001 8:45 pm
by nvdrifter@yahoo.com
I am currently looking for motorcylcle magazine articles pertaining to
the klr 250 (preferrably from the 1980's- but newer is alright, too).
If anyone knows what magazines and what issues they were in, please
let me know. Also, if anyone has any old issues with articles about
the klr 250- and a scanner- please e-mail me the scanned articles if
you can. I would much appreciate any help with this. Thank you.
Joe
nvdrifter@...