Steering nut loose after first service?

RavenFire · 06-20-2010, 04:29 AM

I had my bike in for it's first service (Blackfoot Motorcycles in Calgary), and was riding it the next day..
Heard a nasty rattling sound....
Thought it might be the keychain or something else..
Turns out the big steering nut was unthreading and rattling..

Do you know if there's any reason for the shop to unscrew it on the first service? Coincidence or should I call them up and scream??

Anybody know the torque specs for the steering nut?
Any reason not to use locktite?

Mack · 06-20-2010, 11:10 AM

They are supposed to check bearing play at the first service. It's on your service check sheet if they gave you that. Why it loosens where none of my other new bikes required that check is puzzling.

How did you hear or feel the rattle? I'm curious as mine will sometimes rattle through the handlebars on stopping. It's got about 800 miles beyond the service check though, but the occasional rattle on stopping is a bit disconcerting. I can feel it more through the right grip when it happens. I can't imagine the thing loosening that easily.

I'd like to jack the front end off the ground somehow and wiggle the forks. Haven't figured that one out yet. Front Pit Bull stand won't allow it. A Bursig stand may be nice. Got to be some other way for an occasional "wiggle the fork" check.

Can't recall offhand, but isn't the nut near the bearing some special castellated thing? Thought I recall someone grinding a socket down to fit it. Dunno.

...add
Check this link: Adjusting/Torquing the Steering Head

Mack

lfoggy · 06-20-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mack

I'm curious as mine will sometimes rattle through the handlebars on stopping. It's got about 800 miles beyond the service check though, but the occasional rattle on stopping is a bit disconcerting.

Mack

Interesting. I too get a rattle at low speed when applying the front brake which can be felt through the bars. Does anyone know what this is ?

markjenn · 06-20-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfoggy

Interesting. I too get a rattle at low speed when applying the front brake which can be felt through the bars. Does anyone know what this is ?

Mine occasionally does something that almost feels like a super-fast, super-light ABS pulsing, only on light initial application of the front brake. It's barely there, but it's there. I'm not worrying about it.

- Mark

RavenFire · 06-20-2010, 05:41 PM

I'm sort of thinking the rattle while stopping is just ABS pulsing..
In regards to the question above - I heard mine rattling...
but I'm talking about this thing being lose: (only stock - not yoshimura)
https://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=76287

markjenn · 06-20-2010, 05:57 PM

Keep in mind that the nut on the top only bolts the top triple down to the steering stem and doesn't affect the bearing setup in the front end. It's the two castle nuts below (one adjusts bearing pre-load, the other is a locknut) that affects bearing play and whether you have noise in the front end. A loose steering head usually manifests itself with a heavy "clunk" over bumps and when on/off throttle, not something that typically sounds or feels like a "rattle".

My observation is that bikes which are not wheelied require infrequent steering head adjustment and that those that are require it very frequently and usually ding their races sooner or later when they blow one.

- Mark

Mack · 06-20-2010, 07:11 PM

I don't know about the ABS pulsing. Maybe it is, but my other BMW with ABS doesn't act that way and I can usually feel the brake lever pulsing if the ABS kicks in on it. No rattle either. Then too, it uses a Tele-Lever front end which isn't the same affair as the S.

Mine sort of sounds like washers on a rod being shaken when it does happen. I've been wondering if it is in the front forks as when they compress and then rebound and something is loose for a bit in them?

Mack