Clunking in the front of my 2003 ST1300A

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Jan 8, 2005
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11
Location
Ontario, Canada
I recently noticed a clunking at low speed over sharp edged bumps in the front end of my bike. I've gone over everything and I can't find anything loose. Is it possible it is just play in the caliper that moves with the linked brake system?

Has anyone else noticed that type of noise?

Thanks for your thoughts! :03biker:
 
You sure it's in the fork area? Might be something loose in the dash/fairing?
 
The Highwayman said:
I recently noticed a clunking at low speed over sharp edged bumps in the front end of my bike. I've gone over everything and I can't find anything loose. Is it possible it is just play in the caliper that moves with the linked brake system?

Has anyone else noticed that type of noise?

Thanks for your thoughts! :03biker:

I have the exact same issue over light bumps with minimal compression. After extensive research with the dealer, we noticed with just sitting on the bike and bouncing the front forks that the anti-dive valve has play within the ends. It was determined that there was no way to take the remaing slack out of the attachment points.

Sit on your bike and rock the front end with someone down there listening, it may be the same issue...

(I know, it's mildly annoying to feel it through the handlebars)
 
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Anymore news on this? I am getting a similar clunk on mine. Only 11000 miles.
I feel reasonably confident it is not steering head bearings. Am sure it is not triple clamp torque. Seems to be getting more evident every few hundred miles. Mine will make the sound at walking speed either on the bike or off it and pushing it. All it takes is the slightest bump or irregularity. Handling seems to be spot on still. Anything that sounds like it is getting worse though concerns me as my nature is to always practice preventative maintenance and issues either before they materialize, or get worse if they already have surfaced.

I'm beginning to think the sound may be coming from inside the front forks, any other thoughts on this?
 
Applying the brakes is still an issue... CLUNKING !!...

I could not find any additional info on the front brake noise on our SToc sight (maybe I missed something). But I did find this on the other forum site:

http://groups.msn.com/ST1300US/issu...message&mview=0&ID_Message=44488&all_topics=0

http://groups.msn.com/ST1300US/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=&ID_Message=73510

I (we) have the same "clunking" noise. I did not get a satisfactory answer from dealer mechanic when I asked him about it. I have about 9500 miles on mine and she has about 4500 miles on hers. While both 2004 bikes have the clunking, my clunking is more pronounced than on hers.

Has enyone else experienced this?
 
ajaugust said:
I could not find any additional info on the front brake noise on our SToc sight (maybe I missed something). But I did find this on the other forum site:

http://groups.msn.com/ST1300US/issu...message&mview=0&ID_Message=44488&all_topics=0

http://groups.msn.com/ST1300US/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=&ID_Message=73510

I (we) have the same "clunking" noise. I did not get a satisfactory answer from dealer mechanic when I asked him about it. I have about 9500 miles on mine and she has about 4500 miles on hers. While both 2004 bikes have the clunking, my clunking is more pronounced than on hers.

Has enyone else experienced this?

I have a 2004 and it has done this a lot over the 52000 miles I have on it. It drove me nuts and I also went through all the same things you've described.

Grab hold of the left front brake caliper. You'll see a plunger mechanism on it towards the top of the caliper. This is the secondary master cylinder that actuates a piston on the rear brake when applying the front brakes. Now push and pull the brake caliper in the direction is would travel when applying and releasing the brakes. What I do it push it counterclockwise along the rotor and then pull it back quickly clockwise. If there's any slop in this you'll hear the "tunk" sound. That sound travels up into the frame and makes it sound like it's coming from the steering column.

Now some people have said that they believe it's the spring in the secondary master cylinder that has weakened which causes this slop to happen. However a good brake bleed will also take care of it but only temporarily. Now I've tried talking to the dealers about it but you know how that goes. Lots of blank stares and "I dunno"s.

Consider bleeding out the brakes and/or getting the kit that replaces all the components in the secondary master cylinder. For me I've been bleeding the brakes and that does help a lot but to get to the bleeder specific to the secondary master cylinder circuit you have to remove the right fairing. What a PITA! I skipped that one the first time I bleed my brakes and that "tunk" sound got so loud I thought something was going to break. After bleeding it properly it goes away enough until the next bleed cycle.

Curt
 
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