Front end clonk

Fast Eddie

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I had noticed a disturbing front end clonk, only when braking and hitting bumps simultaneously.

I checked for loose front mudguard etc and all was OK.

Today I found the culprit, front mudguard hitting the oil cooler! Not something I’d expect to find on a new motorcycle.

You can see the witness mark in the pic, you can also deduce from it what my chosen remedy was...


Front end clonk
 
There is only about 3 inches clearance between the back of the front fender/mudguard and the oil cooler.
I always thought this was a potential area of concern with the travel in the Olins forks, but haven't experienced any issues.
That's the first time I've seen this happen.
Have you checked the clearance on your bike, or the sag in your front forks?
 
My dad zip tied his to pull back closer to the frame to prevent this. It happens to him all the time. Ive had it happen a couple times but haven’t zip tied.
 
PS we brought this up to Norton back in 2014. I’ll see if it was by email. I recall the reply that is has been taken care of since 2013 and we got one of the frames or coolers that were older. Or something like this. I’ll take a look in my emails.
 
My dad zip tied his to pull back closer to the frame to prevent this. It happens to him all the time. Ive had it happen a couple times but haven’t zip tied.

Indeed Richard, the oil cooler doesn’t follow the frame, it sort of ‘hangs forward’ and closer to the mudguard, exacerbating the clearance issue somewhat.

I looked at cable tying it back, but was worried about putting what is quite a fragile looking alloy cooler under tension.

My new, improved and even lighter front mudguard has solved the clearence issue for me. But others might want to check theirs.
 
My new, improved and even lighter front mudguard has solved the clearence issue for me. But others might want to check theirs.

Nigel,

Just remember, next stop for your oil cooler is a forward rotating front tire.
Check the fork sag.
A little spring tension will buy you some insurance against another problem.

But abbreviated mudguard is way cool too.
One of a kind possibly.:cool:
 
Quite right sir, these things should be double checked.

And I have.

And the tyre is well clear, but the mudguard still fouls (the edge of it now fouls further up the cooler, it must have been really flouting it before).

Another inch off the mudguard it seems.

Plus I might have another look at the cable tie idea.

Any chance of some pics as to how your a Dad did it Rich?
 
I just checked and sure enough my oil cooler has started to abrade my fender. It looks like the bracketry intent is for the oil cooler to follow the lines of the frame but the tension and length of the oil lines is forcing the cooler to hang nearer vertical. I just eased the bottom oil line up through the zip ties and this has helped a little. I am wondering if 1/2inch of the bottom oil line were removed then this would 'pull' on the cooler rather than 'push' on it as it does at present. I also see an opportunity for a neat bracket below the cooler sitting behind the two frame rails and pulling the cooler closer in.... more tinkering in the garage needed :)
 

Our newer ‘fancy’ coolers don’t have that extra bracket on the bottom.
I think I have a temporary solution in mind, will tie it up shortly and give it a good road testing later.
Gonna be the hottest day so far this year here today. Obviously I’ll need to do lots of high speed miles to thoroughly test the zip ties;)
 
Front end clonk
On close inspection of my 2016 mk2 SF there is a small scuff on front mudguard ( fender ) ,must say I not noticed it till Nigel flagged up his one ,bike done over 13,000 Miles now & been ridden fully loaded with luggage & a pillion for 2,500 of that , adjustment of the forks ; damping, rebound & all that techy malarkey I guess.
 
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Fork adjustment isn’t the answer Rich as the forks should at least be allowed their full movement.

I emailed Rob and he said the fix is short oil pipes, something the factory will do for us if we wish.

I’m gonna look at mine today.
 
I didn’t ask him about that. Not sure they’d accept a hacksawed off part as a warranty claim !

I am more concerned about replacing the cooler that’s been clouted.
 
Fork adjustment isn’t the answer Rich as the forks should at least be allowed their full movement.

I emailed Rob and he said the fix is short oil pipes, something the factory will do for us if we wish.

I’m gonna look at mine today.
Yes can c now , it’s the rigid bit ( cooler ) that needs a better angle on the dangle to be clear of them , well u r a customer like me that intends to ride em & not use as as something nice to lookout in the house ,of course best answer is to have one of each suppose
 
u r a customer like me that intends to ride em & not use as as something nice to lookout in the house ,of course best answer is to have one of each suppose

If I was gonna buy one to look at, it’s a tough call between a Dominator naked (minimalists with a Moto gadgets clock and some flat slide carbs and no airbox) or a V4.

Of course, the correct answers is both, one at each end of the room
 
Do the RWU forks have more clearance ? After more than 6000 miles I have not contacted the oil cooler. Are your fork tubes all the way down into the triple clamps ?
 
That's what I thought (above). What did he say about the damaged fender?

Well Mx, your thinking was the same as the factory and, from what I’ve learnt today, it looks like you are both right.

FWIW, I suspect it’s only the top hose that really needs shortening, although whilst I was at it, I also shortened the bottom hose. I also freed it up from its original cable tie and tied it to the frame with the hose directly behind, rather than to the side of, the frame, which makes for a nicer radius on the hose as it enters the cooler.

I think y’all would agree that the angle of the dangle is now as it should be (and there is now ample clearence):



Front end clonk
 
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