Nomad clanking

cocheese72 · 06-28-2011, 07:34 PM

I have an annoying clanking noise coming from the front end. It happens in all conditions, and not associated or changed by speed. It sounds like a metal rod swinging in the wind and clanking on another piece of metal. It will happen with the bike not running, in neutral, and just rolling back or forwards a few paces. Not sure if it wheel related, engine, fork, or something in the fender area. I used to think it was the radiator moving around, but since it is happening just barely moving, it can't be. Anyone else have this noise?

cactusjack · 06-28-2011, 07:43 PM

There's only so many things it could be, according to your description. Put the bike on a jack and rotate the front wheel. Does it clank? That will narrow it down in a hurry.

**schoeney** · 06-28-2011, 10:18 PM

Maybe brakes (Caliper chatter?)??

cocheese72 · 06-28-2011, 10:38 PM

It is noise from the wheel. I will need to get the brakes off it tomorrow to see if they are the cause. Bearings don't feel loose or whine though, if it is them.

**ringadingh** · 06-28-2011, 10:40 PM

It may be the chrome fork covers, or the headlight bucket wiring.

AlabamaNomadRider · 06-29-2011, 03:43 AM

I would suspect the brake caliper or the pads.

**ringadingh** · 06-29-2011, 07:28 AM

You could also have a stone caught in the caliper, or a loose relector on the forks,

cocheese72 · 06-29-2011, 12:42 PM

Will bad bearings make and sound like that? If it is the caliper, I hope it is something fixed by removing and reinstalling.

**ringadingh** · 06-29-2011, 01:44 PM

Bad bearings usually make a grumbling sound like gravel, and they dont spin very smooth.

cocheese72 · 06-29-2011, 08:51 PM

Took out the bearings, have some on order. Getting them out is fun.

**ringadingh** · 06-30-2011, 08:18 AM

Do you think the bearings were bad? You should be able to tap the old bearings out with a long punch.
You may have more than one noise in the front, as bad bearings normally don't clang.

cocheese72 · 06-30-2011, 12:45 PM

The wheel still made allot of noise with the calipers off. I agree that it is probably a combination of noises. I think the right side bearing was bad. I could not detect a wobble from the wheel, but I could putting the axle through it and moving it up and down. The other side seemed fine. It also made more noise than it should. The bearing was destroyed while getting out, but the inner ring the bearings ride on was pitted on the inside.

They are hard to get out because there is not much area to get a punch on. I rented the slide hammer at auto zone and even then the lip could not grab much due to the spacer not leaving anything to grab. I expanded the tool in the bearing to a point where it would not slip when hammering and the races cracked, but came out. Then I punched the rest out, and used a socket to hammer out the other side.

The new ones are from "All Balls", which I think are made from a company called KML in China. I hope they are decent but there were lots of them found in my searches.

**ringadingh** · 06-30-2011, 05:07 PM

It sounds like you may have found your problem, I guess youll know as soon as you get it back together.

cocheese72 · 07-02-2011, 05:23 PM

Put it back together. Sound is gone during the short ride. Taking a long ride now.

06-28-2011, 07:34 PM	#1
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Nomad clanking I have an annoying clanking noise coming from the front end. It happens in all conditions, and not associated or changed by speed. It sounds like a metal rod swinging in the wind and clanking on another piece of metal. It will happen with the bike not running, in neutral, and just rolling back or forwards a few paces. Not sure if it wheel related, engine, fork, or something in the fender area. I used to think it was the radiator moving around, but since it is happening just barely moving, it can't be. Anyone else have this noise? __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-28-2011, 07:43 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Nomad clanking There's only so many things it could be, according to your description. Put the bike on a jack and rotate the front wheel. Does it clank? That will narrow it down in a hurry. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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06-28-2011, 10:18 PM	#3
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Nomad clanking Maybe brakes (Caliper chatter?)?? __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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06-28-2011, 10:38 PM	#4
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Nomad clanking It is noise from the wheel. I will need to get the brakes off it tomorrow to see if they are the cause. Bearings don't feel loose or whine though, if it is them. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom
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06-28-2011, 10:40 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Nomad clanking It may be the chrome fork covers, or the headlight bucket wiring. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-29-2011, 03:43 AM	#6
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Nomad clanking I would suspect the brake caliper or the pads. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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06-29-2011, 07:28 AM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Nomad clanking You could also have a stone caught in the caliper, or a loose relector on the forks, __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-29-2011, 12:42 PM	#8
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Nomad clanking Will bad bearings make and sound like that? If it is the caliper, I hope it is something fixed by removing and reinstalling. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom
	0

06-29-2011, 01:44 PM	#9
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Nomad clanking Bad bearings usually make a grumbling sound like gravel, and they dont spin very smooth. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-29-2011, 08:51 PM	#10
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Nomad clanking Took out the bearings, have some on order. Getting them out is fun. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom
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06-30-2011, 08:18 AM	#11
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Nomad clanking Do you think the bearings were bad? You should be able to tap the old bearings out with a long punch. You may have more than one noise in the front, as bad bearings normally don't clang. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-30-2011, 12:45 PM	#12
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Nomad clanking The wheel still made allot of noise with the calipers off. I agree that it is probably a combination of noises. I think the right side bearing was bad. I could not detect a wobble from the wheel, but I could putting the axle through it and moving it up and down. The other side seemed fine. It also made more noise than it should. The bearing was destroyed while getting out, but the inner ring the bearings ride on was pitted on the inside. They are hard to get out because there is not much area to get a punch on. I rented the slide hammer at auto zone and even then the lip could not grab much due to the spacer not leaving anything to grab. I expanded the tool in the bearing to a point where it would not slip when hammering and the races cracked, but came out. Then I punched the rest out, and used a socket to hammer out the other side. The new ones are from "All Balls", which I think are made from a company called KML in China. I hope they are decent but there were lots of them found in my searches. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom
	0

06-30-2011, 05:07 PM	#13
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Nomad clanking It sounds like you may have found your problem, I guess youll know as soon as you get it back together. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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07-02-2011, 05:23 PM	#14
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	Nomad clanking Put it back together. Sound is gone during the short ride. Taking a long ride now. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom
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