[bc6805]

I have recently purchased a new Scram during a run-out sale. However, riding it home (250km) I noticed clunking from the front end. I have not been able identify the source. I was out on it this morning on mostly dirt roads. The clunking is beyond the pale!

I know that the 411 suffer from loose, and poorly greased, head bearings and loose steering nut. My question:  It is now due for first service to be performed in 4 days time. But dealer is 200km away. Do I take a risk and don't bother with doing the job myself and possibly compromising warranty and let dealer look at it (they don't have a good name) or do the job tomorrow?

Thanks in advance

[AzCal Retred]

1) ID the noise source. Loose fender, no oil in forks, brake caliper bolts loose, steering stem bearings a bit loose, engine mounts, fuel tank rattling, etc. If you find something expensive pre-broken from the factory call up the dealer.

2) Adjust, tighten, lubricate as necessary.

Doing the job yourself is the best general route unless it's engine guts. If it's brake related you'll have to decide if you want an "iffy" dealer repairing your brakes. Expensive pre-broken bits are best paid for by "others" if possible.

[om15]

I striped the forks on my himalayan to fit progressive fork springs and found that the oil quantity was about half recommended levels, thin green stuff, I serviced with good quality oil to the correct quantity and clonking went away.

[Turbofurball]

Both of the above replies give good advice - determining the cause if the first step to take, fixing it yourself (or finding a local trusted mechanic if you're not mechanically experienced) is better than asking a dealer* for help unless a part is physically broken and needs a warranty replacement.  If the clonking is coming from the forks, then an oil change is the first thing to try and is comparatively quick and cheap to do.

* this goes for all dealers, not just RE.  Of the 3 RE dealers near-ish to me only one does good mechanical work, but it's much slower and more expensive than going to my local trusted motorbike garage.

[bc6805]

Thanks all for the advice. I can't locate the noise - I've tried. Its just from up front somewhere.

But, as I suspected and others have alluded to, the "local" RE dealer (200km away) was not interested and has a very bad reputation anyway. The bike won't be going back there. My local bike shop (Honda only) is not interested in looking at it. So its a case of sort it out myself.

As a start will replace the oil in the forks next week.

In the meantime, I have added a set of Soupy's adjustable lowing links and adjustable side stand.  Made a huge difference for me with my short legs. It took a while to get a good compromise between seat height and having the rear wheel hit up under the mudguard.

[Turbofurball]

Fingers crossed it's something simple!  Keep us posted

[tooseevee]

Thanks all for the advice. I can't locate the noise - I've tried. Its just from up front somewhere.

But, as I suspected and others have alluded to, the "local" RE dealer (200km away) was not interested and has a very bad reputation anyway. The bike won't be going back there. My local bike shop (Honda only) is not interested in looking at it. So its a case of sort it out myself.

As a start will replace the oil in the forks next week.

In the meantime, I have added a set of Soupy's adjustable lowing links and adjustable side stand.  Made a huge difference for me with my short legs. It took a while to get a good compromise between seat height and having the rear wheel hit up under the mudguard.

     Put the bike up on the center stand. Straddle the bike & stand up on the pegs. Grab a handful of front brake. Pull up & push down on the front end like a madman. If your steering head bearings are loose, you will reproduce the clunk very clearly.

     Have you tried this?