K75 S Front End Clunk

[wgammell]

I have a 94 K75S that was purchased recently with about 53,000 miles on it. When riding and I hit the road bumps the front end clunks, nothing seems loose and the steering is OK. What items can I check, to find out what may be going on?

[YB in IN]

What kind of feel are you getting through the handlebars when this happens? Are your fork springs shot? When was the last time you changed your fork oil? Do you see any fork oil seeping anywhere? Do you have the proper amount of fork oil?

[deilenberger]

Originally posted by wgammell
I have a 94 K75S that was purchased recently with about 53,000 miles on it. When riding and I hit the road bumps the front end clunks, nothing seems loose and the steering is OK. What items can I check, to find out what may be going on?

My first check would be the steering head bearings. I would be checking them for looseness.

I believe (haven't looked) that there is a FAQ on the IBMWR K-tech pages on checking and adjusting the steering head bearings.

If they've been loose for long - they'll be "notched" and need replacing, which is a bit much for the average rider to do - but a fairly skilled home wrench can do it. You'll have to be the judge of your skill level.

Best,

[breyfogle]

My '88 K75S has had a light clunk (clink?) in the front end for years. It's more than a rattle but obviously not a heavy hard part either. It appears to be the metalic brake line pipe that goes down thru the center of the steering head. With age, it has loosened a bit which allows the pipe to rise and fall in the steering head when I hit a mild bump, and when the lower end makes contact with the lower tripple clamp, it goes "clink".