[Sarge]

I hit a huge pothole while driving some of the crappy roads here in LA. Now when I hit any size bump at all, the front of the bike makes a "clank" kind of sound. I was wondering if it loosened a bushing or shock bolt. Any guesses gentelmen??

[Goose]

Originally Posted by Sarge

I hit a huge pothole while driving some of the crappy roads here in LA. Now when I hit any size bump at all, the front of the bike makes a "clank" kind of sound. I was wondering if it loosened a bushing or shock bolt. Any guesses gentelmen??

I'd check it over and also check the steering head bearings. You might have damaged the stearing races and have some slop in the forks now, not a good thing.

[Sarge]

How hard is it to check the steering head bearings?

[Goose]

Well, I'm totally lacking of Harley knowledge so anyone jump in here, but on the metric stuff it goes like this. To check 'em, put the bike on a lift. First, grab the bottom of the forks and check for any forward to back play in the front end. If it's really bad, you'll actually hear it clicking with the movement in the bearings. There is a slotted nut on the steering head just under the top triple clamp that tightens the bearings. I usually just tap it around with a punch to tighten it. There is a wrench that fits it available from the OEM, but I just use a punch. When it's properly tight, you move the bar to the rear with a finger and let it go, either side, it should just stop in place and not fall all the way to full lock at the fork stop. You just JUST have it that tight an no tighter. Getting it too tight causes weird steering feedback at the bars, best way I can describe it. If the movement of the steering head is notchy, it probably means you've damaged the bearing races.

Again, I've not done a Hog, so wait for others to chime in to make sure it's set up like the metric stuff. You can do the check for play at the bottom of the forks while it's on the stand. If this is your problem, making that clicking noise you're talking about, it'll be quite evident.

Basically there are a couple of types of steering head bearings on the metric stuff, ball races and tapered Timpkin bearings. Most of the modern stuff is tapered bearings anymore, but the old stuff was mostly ball races and they couldn't take the punishment the tapered bearings can. They could be damaged by a huge, sudden jolt like a big pot hole a lot easier than the tapered bearings. Not sure what your bike has for head bearings. To change the bearings out, the forks are going to have to come off so you can remove the triple tree.

[CD]

Goose is right on the bearings being Timkens and the test procedures. Being an '05, the grease should be good but if you REALLY smacked into a good one, it could have flattened a bearing, damaged a fork tube etc. Consider this, if you damaged the lower tree or smacked a bearing or bent a tube, you are taking a big risk riding it. Could be something small like a loose bolt or, could be a cracked tree. Get it to the shop or get it up in the air. Warranty should cover it. Just tell them you have a clunking noise.

[Sarge]

Thanks, you read my mind. I am dropping it off at the dealer this afternoon. It's not worth taking a chance that something is not broken. I will let you guys know what I find out. Thanks for your advice.........