09 FatBob clunk/thumping - Harley Forum

sage73 · #1 06-28-2009, 08:26 PM

Hi all, could someone please offer any advice on this issue. I have an 09 fat bob with 900 miles. This weekend while riding i notice the front end clunking or thumping when i use the rear brake only. Its like 3 clunks/thumps that i feel in the front foot pegs. I dont feel it in the handlebars, just the pegs.. It does it just before i come to a stop. If i use the front brake only i dont feel as bad. In addition, the front end has started to feel loose and its not tracking straight anymore. I dont understand, this bike rode perfect a couple days ago.. Please help?

Chris

unclepsycho · #2 06-28-2009, 08:58 PM

welcome to the forum

Can you check the rear axle to make sure the nut hasn't come loose?
you may have to grab the tire, front and back of the rear tire, and wiggle it back and forth to see if the wheel is loose. Watch the swing arm too, right at the pivot point, while you wiggle the rear wheel.

other than that, hang in there, we got a couple better qualified guys here that will jump in.

frisco-rigid · #3 06-28-2009, 09:10 PM

HEY

Hows this for Super Qualified----------Sounds like a Warranty issue to me..!!

If it's not under warranty anymore then Yes,, it's time to start wriggling things and getting very acquainted with your sickle..

Neck Bearings come to mind immediately..
Also what Unc sugg'd----- the rear-connections..
Also examine the front axel and all connections..

Do you have a lift.?
With-out one you're kinda dependant on a shop..

With what you've told us I would Not ride it till it's solved..

unclepsycho · #4 06-28-2009, 09:15 PM

2 good points Frisco made I missed...

only 900 miles... uh... it sure should be a warrantee situation....

and yes... sounds like it's time to park it till you figure it out.

Thanks Frisco,

sage73 · #5 06-28-2009, 09:27 PM

Thanks for all the tips to check. I will go out to the garage right now to see if everything is tight.

What i dont understand is why i feel the clunk in the left peg and why it does it only when i stop with the rear brake and when i use both its not as bad.. Wouldnt i feel the clunk in the handlebars if it was the front end?

frisco-rigid · #6 06-28-2009, 09:32 PM

Ooh Yeah

Good questions Sage..

By the time you get to be an old hand with these devil machines Nothing will surprise you..

unclepsycho · #7 06-28-2009, 09:37 PM

I cant remember what my '06 Ultra did, but within 200 miles after I bought it, I noticed the front motor stabilizer.. the one with heim joints on it... one end had fallen off. Luckily the bolt was still in there, so I just put it back on. Seems like it did make a noise or something. So things can come loose...

botzman · #8 06-29-2009, 08:09 AM

I know you said the front end feels squirelly now which would lead to believe neck bearings, front axle etc. Did you check your front calipers to see if their loose? It wouldnt cause a loose front end condition though. It would clunk like hell though when the brakes are applied. Cant hurt to check. As Frisco said these bikes can drive you nuts with noises. ALot of times the noises arent coming from where you think they are either. Forward controls or mid-mounts? Just curious? Warranty issue for sure. Botz

coot · #9 06-29-2009, 12:41 PM

I ain't no professional wrench. And I think I am sober . But it sounds to me like you may have loose or broken motormounts. Or...a loose rear swingarm axle. As you hit the rear brake, it causes the whole drive line to shift & wiggle in the frame. This can cause you to feel all sorts of weirdness.
And the only reason I feel I should offer this up is that I had a similar scenario in a Honda CB750 about 30 years ago.

I suggest that you follow Frisco-Rigid & Unclepsycho advice. Go forth to see thy dealer. And find the answer you seek in the book of "Warranty". You may have gotten a bike that somehow missed the Pre-Delivery Inspection.

sage73 · #10 06-30-2009, 07:27 PM

Bad day yesterday friends. I took the advice and used my father in law trailer to take the bike to the dealer. Well one of the wooden board from the floor gave way, let the straps go and my bike fell on its side onto the side of the trailer. Now i need my back fender repainted and i have a small dent in my exhaust.

So, i went ahead and rode it to the dealer. He rode it and said it feels like the motor mount has settled in, and it seems normal because you use the back brake to stop the motor goes forward toward the mounts and u feel the clunk in your pegs I dont know if they feeding me BS or what. Do you guys believe this, i have noticed more vibration before i shift than normal as well..This seems to have started after my wife had started to ride with me.

So i left the bike there for its 1,000 miles, plus a fender repaint. (375 for the fender alone!)