TL1000r steering clicking when i turn bars?

[rumpelstiltskin]

Last two/three days steering has started to get a little heavy on the bike?Then i noticed today when i'm sitting still on the bike there's a little click sound when i turn the bars to the right,just before full lock.I can feel the click through the throttle grip and when i hold the steering damper while turning the steering?When steering got heavy i checked tyre pressures,they were fine.Now this click has started,will it be the steering head clicking?I tested for play in the head but didn't feel anything dramatic.Couldn't be the steering damper could it?Couldn't see that clicking though(standard damper)Bike has just turned 20,000 miles on the clock.Hope someone can help?Cheers!

[virgil]

Can you disconnect the damper and turn to see if it is still there?

[bennyboysvuk]

Hmm, large capacity V-twin with clicking steering? I'd guess at head bearings due to wheelies. Undo the steering damper and see if it does the same thing. If so then it's more than likely.

[dern]

Have you tested for notchiness with the front wheel off the ground or on? I couldn't detect any on my blade with the wheel on the ground but with the wheel off the problem was readily apparent.

[m3psm]

Check cable routes. I've never heard of headrace bearings clicking. A cable can sometimes get trapped against the steering lock and clicking back whenever the steering is turned. This usually only happens after something has been re-routed though.
Could also be a faulty steering damper. Check your keys as well. These can catch on stuff if there are too many on a bunch.
To track down the problem put the handle of a big screwdriver against your ear and touch the pointy end end against any suspect metal area and you'll amplify the sound making it easier to pinpoint

[Mad Dave]

My first guess would have been head bearings, but you usually feel the 'notch' either side of dead ahead! Get a friend to pull the bike up on it's sidestand whilst you check for play in the bearings. Do this by grabbing the fork legs and pushing/pulling them to feel any movement. Failing that, as mentioned above; check cables.

[rumpelstiltskin]

No cables have been rerouted lately,i've checked all cables but the noise seems to be higher up than where the cables run by the brace.I've got to get one of those Abba stands for stuff like this.I'll get the front end light one way or another and check the steering head.Yes the immobilser fob gets caught under the damper which gets on my tits but this is happening with the keys out and sitting still turning the bars.So do worn head bearings cause this heavy steering i'm feeling?

[Wedg1e]

Have you tried running it on a conveyor belt?

ETA: how about a cracked bearing race?

Edited by Wedg1e on Thursday 28th June 23:37

[Bizzle]

I have had a fair amount of experience with the TL1000R. (owned one for 2.5 years and totaly rebuilt it from scratch) Might be worth looking on WWW.TLZONE.NET

As the steering is very heavy i would say that it's the dampner. The TLR never actually needed a dampner anyway, it was just thrown on there because suzuki freaked out over the massive amount of tank slappers that the TLS was causing.

I run mine without it and it makes a big difference to the dropin. If your really worried, replace it for an aftermarket one and leave it on it's minimum setting.

Cheers