Date: 29-03-24  Time: 09:26 am

Author Topic: Fork noise  (Read 1142 times)

teecee90

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 237
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Fork noise
« on: 09 May 2020, 11:57:03 am »
Noticed today that my forks are making a bit of a clonking noise when bounced. Not sure why I decided to give them a bounce today, but I did....


Is this noise normal (video link below)?


Bike has done 31k miles, had a fork oil change at 24k miles but never had a rebuild with new seals or bushes. Seals are not leaking and the bike rides fine.






FZS 1000 Gen1 (2003)
Tiger 900 GT Pro (2020)

Kenbob

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 214
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Fork noise
« Reply #1 on: 09 May 2020, 12:51:27 pm »
Used to get this with other bikes I’ve owned but never with my 600 or 1000 fazers.
Problem was head race bearings.

Dudeofrude

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,345
  • Rude, Crude and Tattooed
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Naked Gen2
    • View Profile
Re: Fork noise
« Reply #2 on: 09 May 2020, 01:04:22 pm »
I had a clunky noise coming from mine until I had the fork oil changed and then it went away

Falcon 269

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,897
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • - Yamaha R1 1999
    • View Profile
Re: Fork noise
« Reply #3 on: 10 May 2020, 11:31:33 pm »
Can't really tell much from the video.  However, I've had similar in the past but it turned out to be the pads moving in the calipers.  Pull the brakes on really hard and repeat the bounce test.  Also, try testing by bracing the front wheel against a wall or similar to avoid having to use the front brake at all.

unfazed

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,309
  • Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 02-03
    • - FZS1000 05-06, Serow 2000
    • View Profile
Re: Fork noise
« Reply #4 on: 11 May 2020, 03:56:51 pm »
Check the following thoroughly in this order Head Race bearing, Wheel bearings, Caliper Pins and finally Fork Bushes, could be any or all of the four.

teecee90

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 237
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Fork noise
« Reply #5 on: 11 May 2020, 07:27:38 pm »
Can't really tell much from the video.  However, I've had similar in the past but it turned out to be the pads moving in the calipers.  Pull the brakes on really hard and repeat the bounce test.  Also, try testing by bracing the front wheel against a wall or similar to avoid having to use the front brake at all.


You're a genius Mike.... it is clearly related to the brakes not the forks. Doing the bounce test up against a wall there is no clonking noise. Doing it with the brakes on (no matter how hard) and the noise returns. I guess it is most likely the pads moving in the calipers - which is hopefully nothing to worry about.


I've recently had the wheels powder coated with new bearings, new Brembo disks and new OEM pads. The brembo discs have more buttons than the standard discs, so I guess there could be some movement in the discs, although I think the pads are more likely. Difficult to see for sure as a one-man job. The headstock bearings seem to be fine, with no tight spots or other discernable problems.


Ive decided to overhaul the forks anyway - its a while snce the fork oil was changed and the seals and bushes have never been replaced as far as I know. I've ordered OEM parts and a set of Hyperpro progressive springs as a relatively cost-effective imrovement option - based on what I've been reading here and other forums (but mainly based on Mike's contributions). Hopefully the parts will arrive in the next couple of days and I will tackle the job at the weekend.


I'm tempted to change the headstock bearings while the front end is stripped down, but not sure there is much point if they are ok.
« Last Edit: 11 May 2020, 07:31:25 pm by teecee90 »
FZS 1000 Gen1 (2003)
Tiger 900 GT Pro (2020)

teecee90

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 237
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Fork noise
« Reply #6 on: 11 May 2020, 09:09:41 pm »
Actually, watching my own video again very carefully on full screen, I think I can see some disk movement around the buttons. Can someone else have a look and see if they can see what I mean.....


There is no clonking under braking, so I guess it's still nothing to worry about..... unless someone else knows better?
FZS 1000 Gen1 (2003)
Tiger 900 GT Pro (2020)

teecee90

  • Weekend Warrior
  • ***
  • Posts: 237
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Fork noise
« Reply #7 on: 11 May 2020, 11:06:22 pm »
Its definitely the new discs. The buttons seem to have quite a lot of clearance and rotate freely. I can actually slightly rotate the outer portion of the discs by hand due to the amount of free play in the fixing buttons. I have emailed the supplier and Brembo to ask if this amount of movement is normal.
« Last Edit: 11 May 2020, 11:07:05 pm by teecee90 »
FZS 1000 Gen1 (2003)
Tiger 900 GT Pro (2020)