V-Star Front End Noise

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Bruno - 10 Aug 2004 02:29 GMT

My V-Star 1100 has developed a weird noise out front. Like a creaking
noise, or a rattle or tick, tick. But more like creaking. Weird. It
makes the noise when I hit sharp bumps. If I hold the front brake and
rock the forks up and down, it makes that noise. If I run the front
wheel back and forth over this hole in my driveway, it makes that
noise.

At first I thought something was loose, but apparently not. I even put
the bike on the lift and tugged at the front wheel. The steering
bearings don't feel loose. And no noise when I do that. The forks are
covered, so I can't see the fork seals.

I did go over a very nasty railway crossing a couple of days ago, on
the 138 between Cornwall and the 417. It felt like the back wheel was
going to be torn right off.

Any thoughts out there?

--
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

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PQ - 10 Aug 2004 11:30 GMT

I had the exact same thing happen on my bike.
When I removed the gas tank I found one of the rubber mounting doughnuts on
the front of the gas tank had slipped off.
Figured it happened the last time I had the tank off.
The creaking noise was the steel underside of the tank rubbing against the
tank mount.
PQ

> My V-Star 1100 has developed a weird noise out front. Like a creaking
> noise, or a rattle or tick, tick. But more like creaking. Weird. It
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> --
> Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Reply to this Message

Bruno - 12 Aug 2004 01:57 GMT

>I had the exact same thing happen on my bike.
>When I removed the gas tank I found one of the rubber mounting doughnuts on
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>tank mount.
>PQ

Thanks, PQ. I checked and both rubber mounts at the front of the tank
are visible. So it's something else.

I can make the noise (like a clunk) just by moving the bike forward
very slowly and ever so gently squeazing the brake. It takes almost
nothing at all, really. I though maybe a loose brake caliper, but it
doesn't seem to be that. Could the fork seals have become be sticky
somehow?

I'll take it to the shop if we ever get a sunny day again.

Cheers!

--
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

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Chris James - 17 Dec 2004 00:02 GMT

What's your mileage ?
Sounds like the steering stem bearings need adjusted / replaced .

Chris

> >I had the exact same thing happen on my bike.
> >When I removed the gas tank I found one of the rubber mounting doughnuts on
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> --
> Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

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Bruno - 17 Dec 2004 00:37 GMT

>What's your mileage ?
>Sounds like the steering stem bearings need adjusted / replaced .
>
>Chris

Thanks, Chris.

I have only about 13,000km on the bike. But at one time last summer, I
went over a very nasty rail crossing at speed. I though I had ripped
the back end off the bike, it was so violent. The noise came about
soon after.

I am taking the bike in for a tune up and tires in the spring. I will
have them check.

PS: Beware of rail crossings on highway 138, north of Cornwall,
Ontario.

--
I put 2 and 2 together and got 22.

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Motorcycle Forum / General / Yamaha / December 2004

V-Star Front End Noise