HI all, I've had the front wheel off my cbr1000rr SP (2016) and noticed there seems to been some play in the fork stanchions. When I move the stanchions back and forth I can hear and feel a slight knocking in the upper part of the fork. It only knocks forward and back not side to side. Both forks are exactly the same. If I sit on the bike and hold the front brake the rock forward and back I can feel it as well. Any one know what the likely cause is? I'm thinking it will probably come down to getting the forks rebuilt? The bike has 10k miles on it so is it about time for a suspension rebuild anyway? Thanks, Paul
I don't think so. If I move try and move the fork upper its solid. I only get the noise from moving the stanchion. I would have thought I'd feel a failing bearing if I wiggled the fork upper as well?
You'll get a tiny bit of play in the forks even when new but not very much. Probably exagerated with no weight on them. If it's really bad then new seals and bushes might get rid of most of it.
Took the bike in to get the forks serviced in the end. Asked them to change the bushes. Seems to have sorted the issue. I had got used to a slight “knock” as I got into the brakes. That’s gone now and feels nicer in general. Apparently the air gaps were different in the forks as well so glad i got them serviced.
Bit off the subject, but in the old days you matched the forks oil etc so they balance, now they put compression in one leg and rebound in the other, one fork is always going to fight against the other, I know it comes from racing so it makes it easier to change settings but cannot be good for normal use. anyone know why they do this
The most probable cause is wear or damage to the steering Water Pump bearings (either upper or lower), as these are responsible for the smooth movement of the fork and the front end of the bike. When the bearings wear out, you can feel play, and it can result in the knocking sound you're hearing.
