Light front end, slight knocking through the levers?

[Tubz1983]

As title states, the front end has got a bit light and flappy recently, and I can feel a little bit of knocking through the bars/levers at the final point of braking before a dead stop..... Head bearing? Sticking brake piston ? These are wild guesses hence the question !
Any thoughts ?!

[slappy]

Head bearings.

[Tubz1983]

On the way out for sure then as I suspected, il book her in, thanks T

[limax2]

I agree, head bearings. But also check the wheel bearings for play.

[darrsi]

Knocking on the head race could just be as simple as it needs tightening up a bit, or the head bearings are on their way out.
You should blatantly hear and feel that, it will be a proper jolt.
A similar but a bit more subtle reason could be brake pads moving in the caliper when braking, but if you're saying the steering feels light then it points to the head race area.

[Bretty]

I'm changing my head bearings this weekend.

I had a knock that has gotten progressively worse. It started out so slight the MOT tester fella couldn't work out if it was head beatings, forks or pads. So passed it because I don't think he wanted to go to all the trouble of finding out.

It might just need tightening, but I'm gonna do the change anyway as it's not been right for the last 6,000 miles.

[darrsi]

I'm changing my head bearings this weekend.

I had a knock that has gotten progressively worse. It started out so slight the MOT tester fella couldn't work out if it was head beatings, forks or pads. So passed it because I don't think he wanted to go to all the trouble of finding out.

It might just need tightening, but I'm gonna do the change anyway as it's not been right for the last 6,000 miles.

Friend of mine changed my bearings for me on my bike, i warn you now it ain't a pleasant job, especially removing the lower bearings if i remember correctly. 

[Bretty]

The tricky bit is pulling the cups out and getting the bottom bearing off the head tube, right?

I bought a set of bearing pullers, is there much of a lip under the cups? Or do they just need a lot of force/whacking to get them out?

[Nightfury]

While you have the front up, check the fork bushes as well. Mine are worn and I get a knock as you say. Also the front feels a little light...

[Tubz1983]

Thanks again guys, I shall inspect. T

[darrsi]

The tricky bit is pulling the cups out and getting the bottom bearing off the head tube, right?

I bought a set of bearing pullers, is there much of a lip under the cups? Or do they just need a lot of force/whacking to get them out?

I remember copious amounts of whacking and maybe even a bit of heat treatment.

[Bretty]

Cheers Darrsi! I'm guessing you're talking about the bearing on the head tube. I'll dig out the blowtorch and make sure I have the dremel to hand.

Planning an early start tomorrow to crack on with it. I've just done oil and seal change on the forks which was fairly painless.

[celticdog]

I had the same symptoms, it turned out to be the wheel bearings in my case, worth checking. 

[darrsi]

From experience wheel bearings squeal, that's how i've always known they're on their way out.

And yeah, the lower bearing takes all the weight of breaking so has a habit of planting itself firmly in place over time.

[BBROWN1664]

You can also get a slight clicking from the brake pad/brake disk which you notice more on light braking as you come to a complete stop. You don't notice it as much under heavy braking or at higher speeds.

You do need very sensitive ears/fingers to notice this though.