So here goes, seems when entering corners or chopy road the front tire? or front end seems clunky almost like bad wheelbearins or neck bearins cant discribe it other then clunky bike is on lift steering seems tight all seems tight but what does a guy look for




Bruzer

hey Buzzer you need to check out this thread on the _the road star project_

clunk

11470.94 in reply to 11470.93

"Took it to another Yamaha dealer, and what they found was that the fork bushings are worn out allowing the tubes to rock back and forth. The guy in the service dept took her on a looong road test and said that 'yes' (yippie) there is something going on, and it's speed related not road surface related. I told them what all had been done so far, but they were able to get her in the shop yesterday for a more thorough inspection and when they checked the front end the service tech hear a clunk, so they checked it further and found the bushing worn. They also found 1 or more bushings on the rear shock mount worn, that probably wouldn't cause any ride issues other than being noisy. I asked them if the work fork bushings would have been seen/noticed when my stealer was doing the head bearings and changing the fork oil, they said that 'yes' in their opinion it would have been seen, hard not to. I told them to proceed with the repairs (they have to order the parts), I should have my bike back in a couple of week. Was sooo glad to have a dealer agree that yes there was a problem with how the bike was riding and that it wasn't caused by 'too much fringe' on the handlebars or a tire issue. I'll post back when I get her back and can ride her."

thanks for the info. my bike is starting to have the same symtoms. what year/ how many mi. does your's have?

Thanks Jade but my issue is not continuous in fact rides straight and smooth till I hit a tar line or choppy asphalt the I feel it it will ride the line and just feels loose Iron-man mine is a 04 has about 15000 mile on it... I have no wobble just feels like a clunk hit a bump feel the clunk is in the front end, like a rod in a hole with out a bushing or bearing.... shop says looks fine tightened head bearing aligned belt and pulley I am just lost!!! Hoping for more input. Thanks everyone.


Bruzer

Fork oil level good? Maybe time to change it?

Give the lower tins a light rap in a few places with a rubber mallet. If it's not the tins ...

Take the top tree off and turn the lower of the two thin bolts 1 notch and check that out.

Doc

I had a problem when I did the head bearing tighten job I unscrewed the top nut on the left shock tower I got it back together but I pulled the spring up to take a look and the oil it is black or real dark how critical is the oil level like a dummy I wiped some of the oil off the spring to look at it now I notice a clunk when I hit a bump. bike has 12500 miles

Thanks Musky & Doc
- Musky not sure at all about checking fork oil makes me a little skiddish any input would be great!!!

- Doc I will check the tins- as far as the nut goes, I have had the bike is off ground and steering seems firm the bars do not fall to either side? it feels like its in the tire bearing or neck seems like there is vertical movement??? though the front end seems tight by hand pulling, pushing, wiggling nothing, maybe the weight of the bike plays a role??? I did recently do a PC lowering kit with progressive spring maybe that plays a role?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated I would stand on my head if you told me it would help.


Bruzer

On a bike I used to have, every time I ran next to a tar line (patch) in the road the bike would wobble back & forth like something was loose in the front end. The guy I used to take the bike to told me it was the front tire trying to walk up the tar line & recommended a Continental tire. Said if I put one on the problem would go away. I was skeptical, but not finding any other reason, I replaced the tire. Problem solved! I don't know if that would help with your problem, but it's what fixed mine.

I have an 07 with 2900 miles and get the same sensation, feels like something is loose or clunking when I hit a bump on some of these back-roads in Mid Michigan. I'll be watching this thread closely.