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Noise from forks

Submitted by steve_elston on Sun, 19/08/2012
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Commando

this is my fourth attempt to post this

I'm hearing strange clicking / stiction noise from my forks, its not my brake pads chattering, the mudguard is secure, I've changed the fork oil (200cc 10-30) no difference, I'veheaved on them and can feel no movement or wear.

The stanctions and bushing were replaced thirteen years ago and have never been knocked about

I fear an MOT failure as they don't feel or sound right.

any thoughts

steve

Submitted by tony_ripley on Tue, 21/08/2012

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Hi Steve,

More info please.

Is this when stationary and pumping the forks with the break on ?

Stationary against a brick and pumping the forks ?

When riding on a bumpy surface ?

Regards

Tony

Submitted by tom_mortensen on Tue, 21/08/2012

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Hi, funny you should bring up this problem, because I've had the same for some time on my 1972 Roadster. A kind of low pitch clatter, particularly noticeable when taking off or when the engine is in the bad vibe zone. Turns out one the head lamp ears is loose on the stanchion. It can move up and down in tune with engine vibes. As soon as I lay a hand on it, not very road safe I know, the clatter stops. I guess there is a washer, seal or some other part missing there, as it's only the right one, the left one is silent! Just check it out before you do anything else.

Submitted by steve_elston on Tue, 21/08/2012

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Previously wrote:

Hi Steve,

More info please.

Is this when stationary and pumping the forks with the break on ?

Stationary against a brick and pumping the forks ?

When riding on a bumpy surface ?

Regards

Tony

tony

i've tried pumping the forks brakes on/ front wheel against a wall brakes off, both sound the same, lifted my gaiters to check stanctions for wear or scuffing, they look new, rotated stanctions with everything loose ,bounced it a few times to settle everything, tightened her all up, no difference.. I'm beginning to think it's to do with the damper rod ,a loose locknut or something.

you can hear this clicking on both compression and rebound ,so i'm going to strip her down saturday,

steve

Submitted by steve_elston on Wed, 22/08/2012

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Previously wrote:

Unscrew your fork top nuts and make sure the rods are still screwed into the bottom of the nuts.

Submitted by steve_elston on Sun, 26/08/2012

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Previously wrote:

Unscrew your fork top nuts and make sure the rods are still screwed into the bottom of the nuts.

fork nuts firmly against damper rod cap nut, wheel bearings good all seems o.k with the exception of the fork springs they are chaffing against the stanchion inner,i've upgraded the oil now 200cc 20/50 the bike rides fine,you can still hear clicking when youpump/bounce the forks harshly, but not when riding normally

I'll MOT her next week if she fails i'll try an old matchless trick of shrouding the spring with rings of pushbike innertube this will stop the clattering of spring to stanchion, which i now believe to be the problem.

steve

Submitted by tony_ripley on Mon, 27/08/2012

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Hi Steve,

Just checked on mine to remind myself, as I push down there is a slight click, as I lift them up I also get a slight click, They are not stiff but there is a certain amount of 'sticktion'. It has been like this for as long as I can remember and this is through numerous oil changes and I think 1 re-bushing about 15 years ago.

I would say it is nothing to worry about.

Tony

Submitted by steve_elston on Thu, 30/08/2012

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hello there

guess who's got a nice new MOT, the bike sailed through with no mention of the sticktion, I'm relieved it passed but still concerned ( my engineers bonce I suppose) the sintered bronzebush part no.06-7521 is basically a self lubricating material ( oil-lite) which can dry out over a period of time, you can re-lubricate these bushes by soaking them in oil, gently warming the oil is a help ( don't throw them in with your chips), It's something to consider if you're about to strip/re-build your forks, I know i'll certainly re-lubricate them next time down

cheers steve

 


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