Front end noise
- Low fluid level or improper viscosity oil in forks. This can sound like spurting and is usually accompanied by irregular fork action (Chapter 6).
- Spring(s) weak or broken. Makes a clicking or scraping sound. Fork oil, when drained, will have a lot of metal particles in it (Chapter 6).
- Steering head bearings loose or damaged. Clicks when braking. Check and adjust or replace as necessary (Chapters 1 and 6).
- Fork yokes loose. Make sure all clamp pinch bolts are tightened to the specified torque (Chapter 6).
- Fork tube bent. A possibility if machine has been in an accident. Replace tube(s) with new one(s) (Chapter 6).
- Front axle or axle clamp nuts loose. Tighten them to the specified torque (Chapter 7).
- Loose or worn wheel bearings. Check and renew as needed (Chapter 7).
Shock absorber noise
- Fluid level incorrect. Indicates a leak caused by defective seal. Shock will be covered with oil. Replacement parts are available for some of the models covered - seek advice on repair from a Honda dealer or suspension specialist (Chapter 6).
- Defective shock absorber with internal damage. This is in the body of the shock and can't be remedied. The shock must be replaced with a new one (Chapter 6).
- Bent or damaged shock body. Replace the shock with a new one (Chapter 6).
- Loose or worn suspension linkage components. Check and replace as necessary (Chapter 6).
- Loose bolts in suspension assembly. Check all bolts and tighten to the specified torque settings (Chapter 6).
Brake noise - disc brake
- Worn brake pads - if there is no friction material left there will be a metal-on-metal grinding sound, and the brake disc will be damaged.
- Squeal caused by pad shim not installed or positioned correctly (where fitted) (Chapter 7).
- Squeal caused by dust on brake pads. Usually found in combination with glazed pads. Clean using brake cleaning solvenl (Chapter 7).
- Contamination of brake pads. Oil, brake fluid or dirt causing brake to chatter or squeal. Renew the pads (Chapter 7).
- Pads glazed. Caused by excessive heat from prolonged use or from contamination. Do not use sandpaper, emery cloth, carborundum cloth or any other abrasive to roughen the pad surfaces as abrasives will stay in the pad material and damage the disc. A very fine flat file or wire brush can be used, but pad renewal is recommended as a cure (Chapter 7).
- Disc warped. Can cause a chattering, clicking or intermittent squeal. Usually accompanied by a pulsating lever and uneven braking. Renew the disc (Chapter 7).
- Loose or worn wheel bearings. Check and renew as needed (Chapter 7).
Brake noise - drum rear brake
- Worn brake shoes - if there is no friction material left there will be a metal-on-metal grinding sound, and the brake drum will be damaged.
- Squeal caused by dust on brake shoes. Usually found in combination with glazed shoes. Clean using brake cleaning solvent (Chapter 7).
- Contamination of brake shoes. Oil or dirt causing brake to chatter or squeal. Renew the shoes (Chapter 7).
- Shoes glazed. Caused by excessive heat from prolonged use or from contamination. Do not use sandpaper, emery cloth, carborundum cloth or any other abrasive to roughen the friction material surface as abrasives will stay In the material and damage the drum. A very fine flat file or wire brush can be used, but shoe renewal is recommended as a cure (Chapter 7).