started pulling the 996 out of hibernation today - and noticed a noise in the forks Specifically - bike upright: push down on handlebars - no noise Pull back up - distinct clack sound from inside forks, just as they start moving up Is this normal, or something to investigate further? Forks felt fine in riding last year, and felt well damped when manually exercised as above today
As above, probably just a brake hose clicking, or...hitting a bump stop bush when you pull them up. Or...something else.
Paranoia on a grand scale. Are you sure it was anything serious and not just the normal sounds from a Ducati?
What oil have you got in your forks? Sometimes things can separate when stood for a while. Is your (fork) oil due for replacement? Is your mudguard loose? Bounce them for a while, are they damping correctly. If you last changed the oil in 2017 or earlier. Change it.
Could also be brake discs or the pads moving within the caliper...either way good to service the forks every couple of years.
funnly my 996 did the same, i thought it was the head bearings, but they were fine.. never got to the bottom of it
They all do it (Showa shocks) some even from new, feels/sounds like a slightly loose head race but is slight play in the bushes within the forks and mostly audible/discernible around the bottom yoke. There are all sorts of theories including those already listed. If the bike has done anything over 5k miles then they will gently knock. Learn to live with it.
I'm following this thread with some interest as I have the same issue. There's a clunking noise coming from front end, (forks I think) when the suspension is pushed down and released. I've checked there's nothing obvious loose. The linked video shows it both with the front brake held on, to rule out the noise of the pads grabbing the disk, and then about half way through with a roll forwards and then grab the brake - all kind of difficult to do with one hand on the phone and the other on the front brake. The noise is noticeable when riding as well but handling is absolutely fine/normal. The forks are Ohlins. ps. No snide comments please - I know it looks like I'm humping the bike, and yes I do love it, but I'm not; honestly
My 2010 multi with ohlins does the same. Most noticeable when going over speed bumps, when the wheel is over the crest and the suspension is extended. Been doing it for a while and when I mentioned at a service interval it was suggested I took it elsewhere! It’s not any worse, I’ve just got used to it.
Thanks. The bike is new to me, I’ve never had the same issue with the Showas on the 748 so was questioning it. I guess it’s a case of ‘they all do that Sir.’