Front end knocking 2007 VFR

Sorry folks for not updating sooner but I've been out of town without internet service. In any case here's the update. I went to Deal's Gap to ride the Dragon. I had loosened the preload and naturally the noise did not go away. Well the closer I got to North Carolina the worse I thought the noise got(probably me being nervous). In any case when I got there and met up with the rest of my group, we put my bike on the center stand and sure enough the front end was loose. You could see it move forward and backward. So the next day I talked with a local who new the dealerships in the area and I called. Amazingly enough they got me in that day(this would never happen where I live). The Honda mechanic looked at the bike for about 15 seconds and said, "Yep, it's loose." He said that the nut under the top bridge was loose and was never tightened correctly when the bike was assembled. He could fix it in about 30 minutes. Now here's the kicker...I had to pay to have it fixed! The dealer said that since it wasn't put together correctly, it wasn't covered under warranty. I was stunned. I called my home dealer, explained it, they asked why it wasn't covered. told them what I was told, they laughed. I told them well I had it in, and you missed it, I'm now in North Carolina, it's bad and I'm upset. So they asked how much, they agreed to reimburse me, I paid, they fixed it and VOILA! no front end clunk. I'm glad they got it in on a moments notice but I'm pretty pissed about having to pay to fix something when the bike is 3 months old...needless to say I'm not done with this yet. Someone is gonna hear about this...

Thanks again for the help and suggestions

 

It was probably adjusted right when it left the factory but one of the bearing races may not have been seated all the way, after a few bumps the bearing race seated then the steering is loose.

 

I suppose that is entirely possible. The dealer blamed the final assembly people, not the factory. Interestingly enough, about 2 weeks later I noticed the clunking was starting again. So I took it back to the dealer where I bought the bike and sure enough it was loose again. They said the first dealer didn't tighten it correctly. After it was tightened this last time it was fine. All in all it was a shame. I lost riding time on vacation because of a mistake, I had to pay money while under warranty(sure I got it back but it shouldn't be that way), and it was in 3 times for the same thing. Not what I expect from Honda and I've had lots of Hondas.

 

Hopefully they're seated now. But I'd rather have them just adjust the bearings rather than have some of the bone heads take my bike apart. If it don't have tapered roller bearings I would do that after you get some miles and out of warrantee. I've had over 20 Honda's and never had a issue till they get over 20k on them as far as adj them to keep a tight feel. I'm putting tapered bearings in my Blackbird now with 38,000 miles originals still looked great but getting loose. I never beat on them as far as wheelies, I loft the front end sometimes on acceleration but it lands smooth

 

I expressed concern about the bearings being warned but as I figured that did me no good. As for tapered bearings that is what I would replace them with when the time comes. Unfortunately at this juncture it is irrelevent. On May 24th, 2009, my daughter was riding with me and we were rearended by a Honda Accord. After flying 70 feet I woke to a motorcycle cop holding my chest so I couldn't get off the ground. Naturally, he didn't want me getting up. Ends up I was life flighted and ended up with a concussion, a broken left collar bone, 4 broken ribs, a broken right hip and a sprained ankle. I spent 18 days in the hospital and my bike was totaled. I'm doing pretty good at this point, I can walk, drive etc. I don't have much pain but I still miss my VFR. Best bike I've had.

 

Hi Captamerica,
Sorry to hear of your off. Hope you and your daughter are ok. I suppose the head bearings dont matter too much now. I have just bought my '98 and is going in for a look over on Friday including front head bearings as I reckon they are clunking. It was interesting reading your experience. Hope you can get aboard again. Best Wishes

 

Wow! That's not good, best wishes for a speedy recovery, was your daughter injured? Probably another idiot texting or talking on the phone.

 

The sound is coming from the fuel tank float clunking around.

 

What the .......Beep....Beep

You sure have no luck with that bike. I am sorry to hear about you and your dauther. Wish you both well and speedy recovery. Look like you have to get the new VFR 2010 for your replacement :wink::biggrin::thumbsup:

 

It could also be brake pad knock (pad moves inside the caliper). or maybe even a rotor disc retention washer coming loose allowing rotors to "float" from the hat a little. That is what happened to my buddies Daytona 675.