Tech Problems

[Frederick Wilson]

Dear Paul, Thanks for your welcome to the Tech E-mail List. I have a 1985 Max which has me baffled. The bike only has 8700 miles on it and has developed a metal to metal "clacking" noise which can also be felt through the handlebars. I thought the front  end was bottoming out (suspension was way too soft) and installed Race Tech springs and emulators and 20w fork oil. The suspension is much firmer, the handling is vastly improved, and the noise got louder! I have checked the entire front of the bike and  can't find the source of the noise, nor will any amount of lifting and bouncing of the front end duplicate the problem. The only constants are: the noise occurs only when striking small, sharp bumps, stiffer suspension settings make it louder, and it seems to occur on the rebound rather than compression stroke of the suspension. Any help would be appreciated.      Also, when riding home last night I experienced a loud shreiking from the front left of the motor. It began as I was accelerating to highway speed (60 mph). De-clutching and slowing the bike had no affect so it doesn't appear to be related to the drive train. Reducing engine rpm also had no affect. It only lasted for about twenty seconds but was loud and scary. Could I have engaged the starter by accident? I was wearing heavy gloves and fumbling in the general area of the starter button. Please help!                                      Fred Wilson #991