Steering Head and Fork Seals

Steering Head Bearings and Fork Seals with 15-weight oil replaced yesterday. On the ride home from the shop, every little bump or crack in the road caused a very noticeable clunk, something like what you would feel if your shocks in your car were way past needing replacing.
I don't really hear a Clunking sound, but, boy the front end feels like it's bottoming out?
I will bring the bike back to the shop, but, i was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience?

Thanks very much!

 

Was this a dealer? I think the stock oil is 7.5-8 weight, 15 seems pretty heavy. Stock bearings reinstalled or roller bearings? They may not have torqued them properly but sounds more like fork noise.

 

All original Honda Stock Parts except the Shock Oil. Guy worked for 17-yrs at the same dealership then went out on his own. By the way, I was right beside him for all the work and he seemed to know what he was doing.
Thanks

 

Never a 15w.....not sure what to say aboot that.....what gen?

 

I don't have a manual to tell me what Honda recommends for the Fork Oil Weight. My theory is that even if the oil is heavier i.e. 15 vrs ?? I don't believe the forks would produce this clunking sound........but having said that, I welcome all feedback, all suggestions. Like i said, i witnessed all of the work. The bike is a 5th Gen (2001) with 55,000miles.
This is an aside from the current topic, but, are the VFR's allways sluggish below 4k in 3rd,4th,5th?? What RPM do they like to sit at in the higher gears? or to re-phrase the question, where's the "sweet-spot" ?
Lastly, how to insert a picture of my bike into my profile?
Thank you,
Steve

 

My first thought is that you need to check the steering head bearings, when loose they will make an awful clunk over bumps and while braking.

 

I'm with you on that. The bearings and the both top and bottom races are New OEM, I am also thinking they aren't seated properly.
Anyone else have a similar experience??
Thanks

 

My 5th gen manual calls for Honda SS-8 fork fluid which is a 10w oil.

http://powersports.honda.com/documents/2008/brochure_2008_Honda_Oil_and_Chemicals.pdf

I think the oil may be too heavy @15w and you may have ever so slightly loose head bearings. Just a thought.


As a side note,
I opted for tapered rollers in my last 5th gen instead of the factory balls and I was very pleased.

 

4000 rpms in any higher gear is lugging the engine, and acceleration won't be good.

 

That would be the first thing to check. If either the top or bottem race isn't driven in all the way, the first good bump you go over likely will finish the job...then your head bearings are loose and need to be retightened. I had that happen once on a brand new bike I had just predelivered...went over some train tracks and the steering was loose, just like that.

 

Well? What is the status?

 

Today i will go back to the mechanic. More to come............

Thanks for the input.

 

Toe Cutter, you win the prize! The mechanic did not test ride the bike after he changed the bearings and oil. So, when i hit a couple of small bumps in the road, the Steering Head shook loose.
When i brought it back today, you could move the tightening rings with your fingers. So, it wasn't tight enough......to say the least. He said it's tricky trying to line up the bearings so that they seat properly. Even after 17-yrs as a bike mechanic, he didn't get this one right. Nonetheless, it's all fixed, he test rode it this time and i put it through it's paces and no problems.
I made a mistake with the fork oil weight. He put in 10wt, showed me the case it came from. I must have had double vision or at least 1.5x vision.

Thank you for your help again and hope this post reaches others who may have similar issues.

 

I just did a set in a VTR 1000 and the beer squad was here bustin my chops aboot the great length's I went to seat the bearings. Can't be too careful as it is an all too easy mistake to make and I only know because I have done it. No rock's thrown at your mechanic, it is an easy mistake.