hard clunk when hitting bumps

[tipsword]

I have a 97 valk that makes a hard clunk noise when I hit a hard bump, it sounds like the forks are hitting their stops but the front end does not dive enough for that to seem right. I installed progressive springs up front some years ago and this noise has only recently started. Local dealership says springs might be broken and they can replace them for a grand and that MAY solve the problem. Read a link on this page saying the noise might be bad wheel bearings but wanted to ask if anyone else has had this issue and what they did to solve the problem. Thanks in advance.

[bentwrench]

Have you checked the fender and caliper bolts?I've never heard of a valk breaking a progressive spring mine have 100k on them and they're fine.the forks are not hard to disassemble and inspect.DON'T give the stealer a gwiz just to look inside.

[Hook#3287]

That a common complaint with the front suspension.

I'm not sure it's ever been correctly diagnosed, but checking or changing the fluid would not be a bad thing to do.

I doubt you broke a spring and a grand to replace them is ridiculous.

Oh wait, do you have an Interstate? Even so, that's sounds high.

Inspecting them is about your only choice.

[sandy]

IS's are easier to do a fork job than a tourer. You don't have to remove the turn signals. When he said a "grand" to replace springs, I'd never go to him again. I rebuilt IS forks. The owner rang my doorbell at 8 AM. I dropped the jack back down (done) at 10:15 AM. That was my record for a fork job but 3 hours is pretty normal for me. That's $300 labor, $100 for springs and $600 to screw a sucker. RUN!!!

[Firefighter]

My IS centerstand bangs once in a while when I hit a good bump. The centerstand has a stop that keeps the stand from touching the bike frame and this stop can come loose or out of adjustment.

Sometimes the front floating rotor can clank under certain conditions.

I believe others have written about the rear brake cailper missing a rubber bushing and causing a clank type noise.

[Chrisj CMA]

Try hitting one of them bumps with some gentle front brake Acton.  If that stops the noise then it's probably loose springs holding the brake pads

[Punisher]

I've seen the rebound rod in the fork cause a noise like you are describing.   It had stripped out the threads in the cap and on bumps was smacking the cap making a loud bump noise, you could even feel it in the handlebars on a big bump.    Either the rod had been cross-threaded into the cap or it wasn't put in tight enough and had come out then hammering the threads in the cap.   Those caps are expensive!

[Ricky-D]

Probably the wear parts in the front shocks are worn out and you're just experiencing the noise as the result. easy enough to check. hold the front brake and rock the bike gently back and forth while feeling down by the dust seal. Movement will indicate wear.

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[flash2002]

I had a clunk like you say but not only on the bumps, it would do it when I applied the back brake. I took the back wheel off to check and what I found was, the left bearing was finish. So when I would hit bumps or apply the brakes the wheel would clunk. When I bought the bike used, it was the first thing I notice. This might not be your case, but you never know.

[tipsword]

Thanks everyone for the help I will work my way through these suggestions this weekend to try and nail it down. Punisher, does that cap on the fork just come off with a socket and then you can look to see if the cap is stripped? Never took the front end apart so I am not sure what I am getting into there.

[Hook#3287]

tipsword, I'd suggest you get your hands on a shop manual.

There's one online somewhere, but I'd rather the real paper one.

If you decide to take the caps off the forks, you first want to release the top triple tree bolts holding the forks.  Leave the bottom ones tight and they will hold the forks from spinning.

You need to lift the bike so the front wheel is off the ground first.

[tonyfan70]

What the hell is a centerstand?

Like a kickstand that raises the rear wheel? Sound like a great idea! It would be ideal for things like lubing the chain on my Magna. However, Honda makes great bikes and great bikes would have such things as a centerstand.

Obviously this "centerstand" is a pipe dream. Or something for the rich.

sooo jealous.

BTW my 97 Standard clunks too. Rebuilt the forks, gone through the brakes etc. It really does sound like the fender banging around but it's not. Not any of the chrome goodies on the forks either...I put foam behind them already.

And yes...get a manual. The forks are different, one does rebound and one compression...something I would not of known without reading about it.

[cookiedough]

I have always gotten near daily the loud POP/CLUNK over a somewhat hard jolting bump/dip in the road.  Enough so it scares the crap outta me thinking something broke can feel it thru the handlebars as well.

gonna get a new front tire soon and hopefully find a stealer willing to do new progressive springs in front and fresh oil for under 400 bucks, so far no luck.  If someone says it is 3-4 hour job, that is 100 bucks per hour labor - OUCH, since buying my own progressive springs under 80 bucks per pair.

heard it mentioned front steering stem bearings or something like that might be bad as well???  Any ideas?

I just wish I knew someone local to get it done for labor of 200-250 bucks tops since basically labor time is all. 

[tipsword]

So here is the deal guys, I took the right front fork cap off and the rod is not connected to it at all. From the pics and advice everyone has given it seems like that is a bad thing. I will reattach said rod, check fluid levels (they seem low, meaning I cant see any fluid, but I will need to check a shop manual on that one) then reattach everything and let everyone know if the banging noise goes away. Thanks for everyone's help, if anyone has any further advice please don't keep it to yourself as it might help me or the next guy that has this issue. 

[falconbrother]

I've seen the rebound rod in the fork cause a noise like you are describing.   It had stripped out the threads in the cap and on bumps was smacking the cap making a loud bump noise, you could even feel it in the handlebars on a big bump.    Either the rod had been cross-threaded into the cap or it wasn't put in tight enough and had come out then hammering the threads in the cap.   Those caps are expensive!

I wonder if the cap was stripped..  I'll bet you could use alumaweld rods and drill that hole, then drill and tap new threads..

[GREENDRAGON]

I had that issue. turned out to be loose triple tree. re torqued it. Problem gone.