Front end knocking and Oil question

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Well I stripped my bike down today as I have new fairings coming and an exhaust to weld and polish but I'm concerned about 2 things.

1. There is a knocking noise coming from the front end when I pull the brake on, sounds like the pads are loose or something is loose in the front forks, dunno what tho. Rides and stops as normal.....any suggestions?

2. Looking at the oil level, its fine but in the looking glass its looking..um...milky. I've attached a picture but dunno if its too clear. Bike was serviced about 2/3 weeks ago with new oil. What causes this? Bike running lean or water mixing with the oil? Only noticed it since my crash...

Ta
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riichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Karma :

the oil do you do lots of short trips. if so the guy at the garage told me its water vapor on the inside of the metal oil casing that dont have time to tern in to steam so gets m,ixed in with the oli.......might not be though Thumbs Up

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Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Hopefully riichy is right and its only because the bike hasn't been used for a few days that it looks milky inside. A long blast to heat everything up should hopefully clear it. If not it could be the head gasket that needs replacing.
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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

To expand a little on what these guys have said.

The emulsion on the oil is due to water mixing in with the oil. This may be from condensation inside the engine, a blown head gasket, a leaking water pump seal, or a leaking seal or gasket somewhere that separates oil and water.

The knocking could be a few things. If your steering head bearings are very loose they can knock, this will also make the bike feel floppy in the steering. It could also be loose steering yoke bolts, or even floating disks knocking.

My SV650 knocks from the front over bumps sometimes. The head bearings and yoke bolts are all tight enough, so I ignore it. Its easier.

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

It's mostly likely your brakes knocking, lots of bikes do it, my hornets did until it went away (for a reason unknown to me!)

Give it time and see how the brakes go - if they still knock after a while, I'd look to take the pads out and clean the whole lot. (I say whole lot because I have no idea what you call the individual parts Wink

)

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Well the bike has spent a good 7/8mins or so on its side between being crashed and transported back to mines last week. Its not turned a wheel in 7 days now....
Is it possible for water to spill from somewhere when the bike has fallen over getting into the water supply?

Never noticed this knocking noise to be as bad, bike ain't road worthy just now so a quick spin down my street was all I could muster (with the end can off Shocked

so loud!!). Steers straight, rides straight just a loud knock/clunk as I pull the front brake on and off? Doesn't do it if the bike is rolling back, only when its going forwards.
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