fork problems

[Shaltis]

hi, need some advice, buell xb12 a slow moving first gear when hard pushing front brake to the end, the feeling that something banging inf fork, sounds as in the metal banging exactly the same if you drive with a passenger, when the road has higher hole, forks goes so painfully uncomfortable feeling . fork looks good, no oil coming, or something like that , everything tidy, bike has done 10.000 kilometers, not going on wheelies. When driving alone no hard holes in the road, everything is ok.

thanks

 

[mein_tag]

I'm going to say warped rotor, or head bearings.

 

[user_deleted]

ride your XB on a smooth flat level surface at approx. 25mph or in your case....30km/ph. now pull in clutch, roll off throttle, firmly apply front brake lever. hear the same loud "clunking" type noise? assuming all is ok with both fork assemblies.....it is your steering head bearing assemblies. replace with tapered roller.

 

[WIGGLE2]

^^ [up] I had the same thing with my '06 9SX some years ago. It was exactly as you described. I swore it was that front motor mount/isolator, so I bought one, even though the service manager at my local Harley/Buell dealer TOLD me what it was!! (Steering head bearings). Stupid me for not believing him!!

 

[Shaltis]

is it dificult to change them by myself? need some special tools, or something like that?

 

[user_deleted]

it is fairly involved and not for the faint of heart. you must remove front wheel assembly-fender-caliper from right fork leg-both fork tubes-handlebar clamps-triple clamp stem nut and hardware-both upper and lower triple clamps. then you access the bearings and races, remove same, clean steering neck, check fitment of your replacement tapered bearings to be sure they are correct, pack with appropriate grease, install races, install bearings and reassemble everything in reverse order. and it must be done correctly or you jeopardize both your own safety but resulting horrible steering. get help doing if if you're not sure of procedure.

 

[go cytocis]

I agree 100% with the steering head bearing diagnosis, but you might just try tightening them down to spec per the manual before embanking on an all-out replacement. It might defer the job for another season or two, but regardless, you should still plan to replace them eventually.

 

[Shaltis]

many thanks, [up]