Front fork HELP !!!!!!!

[zaphod]

I just replaced the front tire on my Suzuki Sv1000 and when compressing the front forks with the brake on the forks "stick" during their compression stroke. If I push down on the forks without the brake on then they are smooth. I did what the service manual said in re-installing the front tire. Is this normal ??? The bike has never been damaged or dropped,,, I didnt notice this before I installed the new front tire so I dont know if it did this before or not, but Iam not comfortable with any "binding" or "sticking" of the front fork. I made sure all the spacers were present and am confident I put everything back together as per the service manual. HELP !!

[BTLines]

Have you test ridden the bike yet? My front end didn't feel quite right immediately after I reassembled it, either, but after a short, careful ride everything seemed normal. I think the components just have to sort of realign themselves after you reassemble them.

That's my $0.02 (USD)

[poopoohead]

i got the same problem with my front forks......funky sound compressing with front brake.....and no funky sound compressing with out the front brake.......dealer said it was ok...he said it had something to do with the brakes not the forks.....id like to know what the heck it is too.

[tcody360]

hey, it may just be an alignment problem like previously mentioned. When you take off the front wheel, make sure you fully loosen the axle pinch bolts and give the metal coller, that the axle goes through, a good tap to break it free. when you re-assemble, the coller should slider freely. dont torque the axle or pinch bolts, just lightly snug them up and give the bikes front end a good bounce to help align everything. then you can torque everything to the specified ratings. it should be all good, take it for an easy ride and make sure everything feels good before you give'er. and make sure to pump up the front brakes so the pads are touching. Ive been in a hurry changing wheels and forgot to do this, when you come from 235 km/h into corner one, and have to pump the front brake a good 3 times before it does anything, it gets the heart going pretty quick....
:)
Tom

[EleCTriCT]

my front wheel has never been off yet and when i compress the forks with the front brake on they feel slightly different as well...

probably because with the brake on the tire cant move/roll and it might put more of a side load on the forks

But I'm no engineer so who knows.. i wouldnt be too concearned if it feels fine while riding

[Tillers_Rule]

I'd take it for a ride around the block and see how it feels, if good, then for a longer/faster ride on the freeway, if still good, then your good to go.

BTW, did you ever compress your forks without the front brake applied before you changed the tire? It could have always been that way but you just never noticed, and notice now because you are being extra cautious since you just did work on it.

[GetnJgyWitit]

It could just be the pads shifting in the calipers. try pressing on the rear break and then compressing the front forks. I had the same problem of it sounding like something was shifting or sticking. Found out it was just the brake pads shifting in the calipers.

[zaphod]

Promlem Fixed !!! - Thanks for all the help,
All your points were valid - For anyone curious , I loosened the front axle & bottom clamp bolts & went for a VERY short ride around the block- this seems to have "re-aligned" every thing. Thanks for the suggestions !!!