Ok Guys time to check your nuts!

[M61A1MECH]

No not those:no-no-no:

 

Had started to notice a slight clunk when ever I hit a small bump and when I would come to a complete stop, not really a noise as much as a feeling that something in the handlebars or triple tree was loose. Checked a few things and did not find anything abnormal, until today on a medium length ride it seemed to be getting worse as the day went on. I stoped for gas and for who knows why I reached down and gave the acorn nut in the midle of the triple tree a twist in the loosening direction and it spun about a half a turn . Snugged it back up with my fingers and looked to see what I had in the tool kit that could tighten it up sme more, no luck. So a carefully motor down the road watching he nut as much as I was watching the road until I find an ACE hardware store, they let me carry wrenches in and out of the store until I found the right one a 28mm. Tightened it up pretty snug and bought the wrench. Problem solved no more clunk or bump, now just need to check the torque spec and see if I have it tight enough.

 

So I suggest that eveybody that reads this should go check their nuts.

[ragtop69gs]

If the acorn nut was loose, you better check the neck bearing torque too, With the top nut loose it may have let the torque adjuster nut and lock nut loosen.

[M61A1MECH]

YUP I am going to go over the front end as soon as I can some time to get up[ on the jack.

[XV1100SE]

If you are going to be checking the the tightness of the front end.... do the test to make sure the steering head is tight enough. Makes a big difference.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=511

[djh3]

Steve I find that is one of the things that bugs me about this bike. If I am going out of a parking lot say and there is a sharp bump or change of pavement I hear a clunk. I know its the tripple tree/forks loose. I have adjusted it 2 or 3 times already and its making the same noise again. I really hate to think I am going to have to take it all aprt and put new bearings. I may have warrenty left but dont know if I trust the dealer closest to me as they sell mostly them side by side things.

Suprising the acorn nut was that loose though. I had a crows foot that would fit it at one time but it evidently has grown legs.

[M61A1MECH]

Dion,

That is exactly what I was experiencing, went away when I got the acorn nut tight.

Checked the lock nuts underneath they are still tight. You probably have either the bearing lock nuts underneath or the acorn nut loose, would be my guess.

FYI, The torque for the acorn nut is 94 ftlbs according the the manual.

[Hucklecatt]

Worked in the bicycle industry and worked with everything from Campagnolo to Chris King headsets. Remember that after adjustment on any headset, tightening the top nut will provide your final preload. Perform the adjustment, but keep in mind that when you cinch that acorn nut down, additional load is placed on the bearings and will provide the final swing test feel for your bike.

 

If you have repacked the bearings, it is almost certain the viscosity and amount of grease will give you a false sense of tightness. 100 - 300 miles will set things into place at which time it is a very good idea to recheck this adjustment.

 

Fork judder was the scary part. With carbon fiber forks, and even steerer tubes through the headstock, you could not allow oscillation and front-to-back forces to occur or your fork would simply break at the crown/bottom race/steerer tube junction. Not so much with our big bikes, but what a difference a proper adjustment can make!

[WildBill1]

Last time I checked they was there and tight.

[uncledj]

Yup, ....all THREE are right where they're supposed to be.

How often am I supposed to check 'em.

I kinda liked it.