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Author Topic: Occassional "clonk" on bumps!  (Read 369 times)

Sigean

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Occassional "clonk" on bumps!
« on: May 28, 2015, 04:27:19 pm »
Any thoughts on this - my Falcone sometimes gives a slight "clonk" when traversing, for example, speed humps or similar.  I have checked to see if there is anything obvious loose or subject to disturbance under these conditions, but can see nothing that might give rise to the noise.  I always run the chain a little loose and wondered if this might be striking the frame or the brake cross-over spindle - and I recall reading somewhere about the proclivity of the chain to eat part of the gearbox(?) underside.  Has anyone experienced anything similar?  I haven't checked the rear dampers yet - they are, I think, the originals and a little squeaky at times, but seem to work fine.   

Any thoughts welcome.

Sigean
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banquo

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Re: Occassional "clonk" on bumps!
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2015, 08:44:34 pm »
Mine gives a huge clang every time it goes over anything, but that's loose stuff in my toolboxes. Never had the chain hitting anything, and the grinding is the kickstart spring, which can wander over into chain territory (cable tie or washer fixes that).
You mentioned your head bearings were suspect; would be worth jacking up the front when on centre stand and check for play.
I assume you have nothing in your toolboxes... just asking.... ;)
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Sigean

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Re: Occassional "clonk" on bumps!
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2015, 09:22:29 am »
Thanks for the thoughts.... I have the steel panniers fitted right now and there was some camping stuff in them.  This might have created some of the problem, but the noise has been there for ever - with and without panniers.  But I will remove the panniers and empty the toolboxes and ride along the roughest piece of road I can find (without going back to Belgium - the worst roads in Europe.....) and see what happens!
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banquo

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Re: Occassional "clonk" on bumps!
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2015, 09:31:57 am »
Process of elimination seems the only solution. If it were the chain, you would see a witness mark where it had contacted. Might be worth pulling off the guard for a look, although if it's properly adjusted it's not going to hit anything. Tank rubber mounts fail, but (on mine) that resulted in a drumming noise. Belgian roads aren't the best, but I think ours are catching up fast.
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Sigean

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Re: Occassional "clonk" on bumps!
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2015, 05:10:19 pm »
Just seen and many thanks, and for the reply to the handling issues which now seem to be cured.  I still haven't performed the definitive test on the clunk (empty everything and ride), but hope to do it soon - lots of work on my house got in the way.

As for the 2300 miles - this seems to be normal for me.  I ride down to southern France and the return trip is 2000 miles with a bit of pottering in between! The Falcone is a great tourer, but now in my OAP years I am starting to find it a little heavy, especially to manhandle, and looking for something lighter I have bought a Condor A350.  This is a more nimble machine than the Falcone and I hope it will allow me to continue the motorcycle touring I enjoy.  I will be loathe to part with the Falcone, but I cannot justify the two tourers, not least as I have a couple of scooters as well.  So I guess I will put the bike on the market soonish, and will be sad to see it go.......
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banquo

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Re: Occassional "clonk" on bumps!
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2015, 06:19:43 pm »
That's a shame Sigean, but if you can still ride something, that's all that matters. I've always quite liked the Condor, although I did wonder at the choice of a Ducati engine for a squaddies' bike. There's a strong following in The Netherlands, and there used to be a good website with lost of information, although it's a few years since I looked at it. Funnily enough (on the subject of army bikes) I just got back from taking my Harley for it's MOT, and one of the mechanics had a BSA B40 gathering dust in the corner. Not restored as an Army machine, but that's probably where it came from.
I don't imagine you will have any problem selling the NF if and when the time comes, and you could do worse than post a few pictures and details on here

Just found the Condor site: looks like he's given up on it, and there's not as much on there as there was...

http://www.condorclub.nl/
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