Evenin all,

Your combined knowledge and help would be appreciated.....

My '88 F-J has developed what can only be described as a heavy metallic knock, knock, knock, knock from somewhere on the front end under heavy braking. It's quite noticable thru the bars, although you can't hear anything! Under fairly light to moderate braking there is no knock!

I've had the front up in the air today and tried to check for play in the headstock bearings and wheel bearings but cant find any noticable play anywhere!

Someone has told me that the 'Cane's suffered from frequently failing lower headstock bearings ..... Is this true??? Or, am I on the wrong track???

As the knock only happens under heavy braking, maybe my quick check didnt apply enough force to make the knock appear? ....

I dunno???


The bike's MOT test is due this week, so I need to try and find the fault quickly!

Any helpful advise would be appreciated ...... Thanks

shakey

 

I'd check the brake calipers and pads, even the discs. I've heard a loose caliper can cause a knock as you've described.
My first thoughts would have been headstock bearings too, and no, I've never heard the lower bearing was known to fail.....Mine still has it's original after 22 years, and is now knocking slightly............
One other thought - could it be front shock related ?
Hope this helps


I'm still thinking headstock bearings, though. The force of braking the bike is far more pressure than you can ever apply just by lifting the front with no "load"

 

I agree, i would check all brake components for integrity, have you bleed the brakes recently? (maybe air in the line)

Can you check the rotors to make sure they are not warped, brake pads are not faulty or dirty with oil.

It is a audible noise or a shudder / vibration through the bike?

Aussie Johnno

 

Undo the left pinch bolts for the front axle.

Bounce the bike up and down holding the front brake.

Re-tighten the left pinch bolts.

Solved my knocking issue.

 

I have the same problem, so how do you think this helps?
Cheers

 

Many people assume that the line on the axle is to align the fork when assembling the front end.
If you do this it is possible to have the forks running out of parralel which causes the suspension to stick in it's travel and clunk when it frees up.

By undoing the left fork pinch bolts and bouncing the bike up and down you let the forks set their own natural path before fastening the pinch bolts again.

It solved my clunk and it's such a quick thing to do that it is worth doing first to make sure the forks are in line.

If it doesent work - it has cost you nothing but about 10 minutes of your time.

 

I've copied the whole thread into the "how to" section.
Thanks Dean0, we're all wiser now - what a great tip !

 

Glad to help.

It's also worth noting that in the blackbird manual - the bounce before tightening the left pinch bolts is the method stated by Honda for finishing the front end.

Looks like they got wise to the smooth front end trick - haha

 

Thanks for the heads up DeanO, I will do it in the spring. I have a little clicking when breaking. I didn't think it was the head bearings so I will try the pinch bolt trick.

 

Thanks for all the input guys! I'll try the pinchbolt trick in the next few days when time allows....

Will post back up with the outcome!

Regards,

shakey