Clicking noise

[Yan]

when breaking hard to a full stop and compressing the forks. Seems like the sound mostly happens on the way up. Can it have to do with the colder temperatures we are having now (around 50F)? Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Yan]

this clicking (or rather clunking) noise seems to be coming from the forks. and only when you compress the forks rather hard with the front brake engaged. Any ideas are appreciated.

PS could anyone please check on their bikes if the front brake rotor has a lateral play? is this normal?

Thanks!

 

[dallasb]

I wouldn't think that the rotor should have any play at all. I'll double check it in the morning if you still need it.

 

[Yan]

Please dallasb, if you could check for the front rotor play (side to side) I would very much appreciate it. I don't think it's it but just to make sure...

 

[Yan]

here is what this sound looks like: noise, may be it can help find out what the problem is...

 

[theoctopus]

It's a floating rotor, so there should be some movement, though not much.

 

[Yan]

thanks theoctopus, any ideas about the noise - the link to the video is in post #5. thanks!

 

[dallasb]

Almost sounds like the front shocks are bad. When they went out on my dirtbike they would pop like that. Is there anyone close that can help you hone in on where its coming from? A mechanics stethoscope will pinpoint it in no time.

 

[aptbldr]

+1, brake's rotor. Bouncing the suspension rattles rotor against wheel.
Rotor is slotted at each connection to wheel. Slot design provides limited bit of movement in all directions at each fastener; rattle room.

 

[Yan]

dallasb - front shocks is the number 1 suspect, but a bit early for an '08 with 12k miles on it. good point about the stethoscope, i may need to get myself one...

aptbldr - that's what i thought first, but then it should've happened before on my bike and should be happening on every Ulysses (every Buell maybe). I don't think it is. I don't think it's the rotor. thanks anyways.

 

[Red93stang]

How many miles are on the bike. Its not the rotor. Its coming from the forks for sure, the 1125's do the same thing and they say its normal. Has it always done this. Its thing about the plastic sleeve in the top of the fork.

 

[Yan]

hey Red93stang - the bike is an '08 with just under 20k km (~12k miles). sounds a bit too early for the shocks if you ask me. not sure if it always has done that - i started noticing it recently. one thing about the noise - it does sound like plastic, not like metal.

 

[Red93stang]

If u look at the diagram on the forks there is a collar or bushing in the top of the fork that is holding the spring in place.

 

[Red93stang]

Also make sure the headbearings have been torqued and are not loose.

 

[Yan]

Thanks Red93stang. The bike is still on warranty, so I will probably take it to the dealer. It's a PITA and i will have to leave it there, but I don't want to screw with the bike myself and possibly void the warranty.

 

[Yan]

call the dealership, they talked about some adjustable head bearings that may become loose over time - anyone knows what that is?

 

[Red93stang]

The head bearings are the ones in the front center of the frame. If not properly torqued they will cause a pop noise due to the steering head moving forward and back again.

 

[dallasb]

I checked the rotor for you. It does have some movement. It is however a very very small amount and it doesn't make any type of noise.

 

[Yan]

thanks a lot dallasb!

 

[93fee]

have the same issue & about to think that it is head bearings. I also know that they are adjustable, but not ready to do it now as soon as season is over here in Russia ))
to adjust these (if not mistaken smbd correct me pls) you need to take top triple tree off the fork, taking off the bar, loosing big nut holding triple trees together & side bolts on the forks and then adjust head bearings which is under top triple tree. half turn should be ok.