Mechanical question

If I pump the forks, there's a knocking sound comes from the headstock.

The headrace bearings have just been replaced so it gets through an MOT.

It's going in for an MOT first thing tomorrow.

Is it likely to fail? Do they need tightening up or something? How might
one do whatever needs to be done to sort it out?

 

ogden says...

Haven't a fucking clue

Urm.. Blocked exhaust?

 

If you can, put your finger between the top or bottom yoke and the
headstock whilst pumping and you'll feel if there's any movement.

Dunno about on your bike, but it usually involves taking a big nut off
the top yoke, then using some kind of C spanner on another nut below the
yoke. Or bodge it by tapping it around wiv a punch. You may have to take
the yoke off, or at least lift it up.

I find them hard to get exactly right. A knats too tight and the bike
weaves, a knats too loose and they knock.

<awaits post containing the perfect tip for getting it right first time>

 

Could well be. "blocked exhaust knocking headstock" gets about 28,000 hits.

 

Very likely after a good old hammering like yesterday.

They may just need adjusting, not hard to do....

--


Nige,

'That's shot the fox'

Eunos Roadster (for summer)
Grand Cherokee (for winter)

 

Loose head races.

Oh dear.

Oh deary dear.

Learn fast and burn the midnight oil or GAMI.

 

Does sound like the headrace. My MOT guy would just adjust it for me...

Cheers

Nick

 

Tried that, still clunks.

I suspect they've just loosened a bit after being fitted and then
subjected to a day of serious abuse on track.

The current MOT doesn't expire til I'm in France. **** it, I'll get it
sorted next week or something.

 

<looks around, raises head above parapet and clears throat>

My rough 'n' ready rule of thumb is: with the front wheel lifted well
clear of the ground and any steering damper disconnected, if the steering
can *just* flop under its own weight when pushed gently to one side then
it's about right, but you have to allow for stiff wiring looms & cables
and everything has to be fully torqued up - just tightening the head nut
can make a difference. I haven't died yet using this technique.

Which reminds me: the V11's steering might need tweaking soon: I thought
I heard it clonk slightly recently. Could just be slack in the brake
pads, though.

FWIW, Suzuki specify putting a spring balance on the handlebar end and
measuring the torque required to turn the steering on TLRs; I assume that
means with the steering centred.

 

Or plan C - get it sorted this afternoon, then have a last stab at
getting an MOT tomorrow morning. Which still leaves me a last last stab
on Friday morning before the ferry.

Plenty of time. Sort of.