Steering Head Bearings

[moore84rs]

I have got it all back together now. Steering feels good, but the clunk on low speed bumps
is still there. We didn't pull the forks apart. I guess that's next.

Thanks to all for your input.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

I have got it all back together now. Steering feels good, but the clunk on low speed bumps
is still there. We didn't pull the forks apart. I guess that's next.

I wouldn't pull the forks apart quite yet. During a tech day I and others replaced the steering head bearings on my '91RT. For a little while all was well, then I stared getting a klunk, sometimes when hitting a bump, but mostly when braking hard. This was the classic sign (to me) of loose steering head bearings. So (after loosening all the triple tree and axle related fasteners) I re-adjusted the steering head bearings. Later the klunk returned and I tightened them again. After the third "readjustment" the adjustment held and is fine today.

What I believe happened was that with the mild chaos of a tech day repair the lower inner race wasn't seated properly on the triple tree stem. During riding the lower inner race "scooted" down a bit and then the klunk appeared. I believe that eventually the lower inner race seated and the adjustment held.


Ken

[Motorhead]

when I do mine I remove the lower legs and all acessories

after I install bearing or lube them recheck the alignmest with the tubes and install legs and wheel maybe in a days ot 2 of rideing add 1/4 more or 1 flat of nut done

[SteveD]

If the clunk persists, despite well adjusted st. hd. bearings, and the top fork nuts are TIGHT, have a look at the large dome nut. Remove it, and look for wear on the threaded surface. To test, shim it with a piece of pepsi can. Re install, ride and assess.

[Chuey]

I have got it all back together now. Steering feels good, but the clunk on low speed bumps
is still there. We didn't pull the forks apart. I guess that's next.

Thanks to all for your input.

My 1984 R100RS has a clunk over some bumps. It is not the steering bearings. On my bike, there is something in the fairing that makes a noise when crossing some bumps. I am sure it is not the bearings but have not been able to eliminate the sound. At one time, I thought is was the tank moving at the front mount but it turned out to not be that.

Chuey

[ME 109]

My 1984 R100RS has a clunk over some bumps. It is not the steering bearings. On my bike, there is something in the fairing that makes a noise when crossing some bumps. I am sure it is not the bearings but have not been able to eliminate the sound. At one time, I thought is was the tank moving at the front mount but it turned out to not be that.

Chuey

Same with my 81 Chuey, I've never found the source of the clunk.
Maybe they're just old clunkers.

[moore84rs]

It can't be the fairing in my case because it is doing it now with the fairing off.
It doesn't feel unstable or out of control when it happens. It just doesn't sound
right. I may be chasing a ghost. I have service records from previous owners and
2 of them note "front end" or "fairing noise" on service requests and both say NFF
(no fault found).

[SteveD]

If the clunk persists, despite well adjusted st. hd. bearings, and the top fork nuts are TIGHT, have a look at the large dome nut. Remove it, and look for wear on the threaded surface. To test, shim it with a piece of pepsi can. Re install, ride and assess.

This is an easy and costless assessment. If the clunk disappears, then you need a new centre dome nut.

[moore84rs]

The nut has a shoulder that goes in between the top plate and the
steering stem. Are you talking about shimming there?

[SteveD]

Yep. it wears a tad and that may be the cause. Others have reported some success replacing it, including Rob Frankham.