Weird noise from front shock area

[Dave Gruenwald]

I have a 1999 Interstate with 92K miles.  I don't think the front shocks have ever been rebuilt  The fork tube seals are leaking.  I just bought the bike. I am getting the weirdest noise coming from what appears to be the front shock (s).  It doesn't happen over every bump in the road but it does occur on many.  As near as I can tell most of the time the noise is on the extension of the front shocks, not the compression, but I could be wrong. Sometimes I even hear it when just I stand the bike up and straighten the front wheel. It's like the sound of one click of a turn signal relay (the ones you can hear).  It's a "kinuck" like sound.  You would get a similar sound by hitting a piece of wood with a ball peen hammer. I've looked for anything loose in the fairing.  When I just rock the bike forward and back I don't hear it.  Any ideas?  It's driving me crazy.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

I think when you do your fork seals you may find the problem. Something may of come loose.

[Willow]

Check to be certain all the clamps on the forks are adequately tight.

[Dave Gruenwald]

A dealer said that the bushings are worn out and I guess that's to be expected.

[Michvalk]

With worn stuff in the front forks, that may be where the noise is coming from

[Ricky-D]

Yes, and that is from where the clicking noise is emitting.

Looseness in the bushings and slides.

You can feel it where the two join by rocking the bike

back and forth gently while keeping the front brake hard applied.

***

[hubcapsc]

Is the bike new to you?

You may have two "problems", not one...

Problem 1: fork seals... that's a real problem.

"problem 2?": click on the front end... the calipers float,
and make a clicking noise that can be heard sometimes...

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/#NOISE    "It goes clunk when I stop!"

-Mike

[Paxton]

"I think when you do your fork seals you may find the problem. Something may of come loose."
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I'd take BigMac's advice. He's tha man!

[Dave Gruenwald]

Well it looks like Mac was right.  We took the shocks apart and there was a nut on the damper rod that was just a little loose.  Bushings were perfect.  Must have been replaced at some point.  We replaced the seals and she's like a new motorcycle!  God I hated that noise!  Thanks for the  thoughts guys!