I need some advice!
Took a simple low speed fall last weekend after the rear wheel washed downslope on a slight side hill - no excuses my own inattention.
Afterwards I noticed a slight clunk when the front tire would hit hit anything larger than a small rock or minor rut. Checked the triple clamp / fork leg bolts, etc. could find nothing loose. With the front wheel off the ground there is slight but noticeable fore-aft play in the forks. Assumed it was the steering bearing adjustment and got to that adjustment this morning. Tightened bearings (after loosening the steering nut and the upper triple clamp fork leg bolts) until steering was noticeably tighter (actually slightly too tight), retorqued steering nut and triple clamp bolts. Play still present - so not the steering bearing adjustment.
Backed off the steering bearing adjustment to a proper feel, retorqued all. Removed from wheel and found that play & click is in the lower fork legs. Grasp end of either lower leg with one hand and hold other hand at the upper fork tube / lower fork leg junction and can feel that the play is between the two. Push the lower leg up into the tube an inch or so and the play is still there.
Should there be fore & aft play in the lower legs? I suspect not. Any suggestions about what might cause this and, hopefully any suggested solutions?
Thanks,
Howard L. Snell
Took a simple low speed fall last weekend after the rear wheel washed downslope on a slight side hill - no excuses my own inattention.
Afterwards I noticed a slight clunk when the front tire would hit hit anything larger than a small rock or minor rut. Checked the triple clamp / fork leg bolts, etc. could find nothing loose. With the front wheel off the ground there is slight but noticeable fore-aft play in the forks. Assumed it was the steering bearing adjustment and got to that adjustment this morning. Tightened bearings (after loosening the steering nut and the upper triple clamp fork leg bolts) until steering was noticeably tighter (actually slightly too tight), retorqued steering nut and triple clamp bolts. Play still present - so not the steering bearing adjustment.
Backed off the steering bearing adjustment to a proper feel, retorqued all. Removed from wheel and found that play & click is in the lower fork legs. Grasp end of either lower leg with one hand and hold other hand at the upper fork tube / lower fork leg junction and can feel that the play is between the two. Push the lower leg up into the tube an inch or so and the play is still there.
Should there be fore & aft play in the lower legs? I suspect not. Any suggestions about what might cause this and, hopefully any suggested solutions?
Thanks,
Howard L. Snell