Christchurch help needed for steering head

**Xsannz** · 16th October 2012, 11:25

Hey guys,

Been away from the forums for a while.

I am now the owner of a 07 zx10r with 56k on the clock, and loving it after the 02 Sp2 i had for a while pre earthquakes.

I have a feeling my steering stem nuts neet tighted as going over bumps there is a clunk or knock feeling from the front end.

I have tried the rock test with the brake held on and checked the wheel bearing by wobbling that, but i cant tell if it is play in the forks or steering head, and i cant replicate the feeling or noise in the rock test.

I have read that in some case tightening up the sterrign head nuts is the quickest way to see if thats an issue.

My problem is i dont have a c spanner that fits those nuts,

I am in christchurch and free most weekends and evenings, if anybody could stop by and give a fellow biker a hand, or if anybody has a triple tree stand i could borrow.

I am out in rangiora but not adverse to bringing the bike round to anybody to have it checked / tinkered with.

best to contact me via email or txt

Cheers guys

Josh
0274868192 or xsannz@gmail.com

**FJRider** · 16th October 2012, 11:29

The clunk would more likely be in the front suspension. Check seals and fluid levels.

**Xsannz** · 16th October 2012, 11:38

Originally Posted by FJRider

The clunk would more likely be in the front suspension. Check seals and fluid levels.

front seals seem ok no weeping... just the usual light and i mean very very light oilish look on the black chrome legs, but no more than any other bike i have ever owned. the dest caps are looking a little cracked right on the edges but otherwise seem fine.

whats the best way to cehck the fork fluid without doing a full rebuild on them?

maybey clunk is not quite the correct description it's more of a click like a nut bouncing off something metallic, reviously i had bad vibration buzz at lower revs which i found to be the ignition lock, some grease and some fiddling with the lock unit on the igniton seems to have cured that.

the handling of the bike seems fine, just that little feeling and noise is a little off putting at times, i have been told it could be fork buses, but then there would be some movement in the fork legs - i would presume which is why i was thinking if i could have loan of a triple tree sand i could elevate the front end unload the fron suspension adn really pull around on the suspension and see if i could replicate or find any play anywhere.

**FJRider** · 16th October 2012, 11:50

You would need to refer to your workshop manual for that. Try putting weight on the front suspension while stopped with the motor off. And somebody holding the bike up.

Remember the old saying about british bikes not leaking oil ... ??? usually because they had no oil inside left ... to leak out.

**Xsannz** · 16th October 2012, 11:56

Originally Posted by FJRider

You would need to refer to your workshop manual for that. Try putting weight on the front suspension while stopped with the motor off. And somebody holding the bike up.

Remember the old saying about british bikes not leaking oil ... ??? usually because they had no oil inside left ... to leak out.

true, but one would expect if the forks had no oil then the rebound and compression would be shot, and the handling seems fine.

I have tried the bounce / rock test while stationary motor off fron brake held and tried rocking back and forth and up and down and couldnt replicate it.

**FJRider** · 16th October 2012, 12:05

Put it on the main stand (with a person on the back) and try again as per post #1

**Sable** · 16th October 2012, 15:27

..they don't have a main stand. I'd honestly just get a c-spanner and tighten them up, easiest way. It certainly sounds like loose bearings

**SVboy** · 16th October 2012, 19:50

Possibly worn steering head bearings....tightening them will achieve nothing-possibly dangerous if steering is too tight. Front needs to be lifted and all weight taken off the forks and steering head. Possibly axlestands under crash bungs or a strop thru a garage rafter and thru frame. Whatever you do, make sure it is safe and stable,THEN check for steering head bearing play. While bike is up-good chance to strip,clean, lube or replace both bearings.