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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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Location: Chicago
 
Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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Location: Chicago
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1980 Bajaj Barnfind

Took it out for a spin on the last warm day in Chicago yesterday, and while riding it this noise started developing from the front and needless to say my trip ended up short.

There's nothing in the glovebox and nothing obviously loose but before I get into it, wanted to see what people say:

https://youtube.com/shorts/417aUF7jaNY
@steely_dan avatar
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Lambretta GPs Lambretta S1s, Vespa Gl, Vespa P200, Serveta 150
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@steely_dan avatar
Lambretta GPs Lambretta S1s, Vespa Gl, Vespa P200, Serveta 150
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A few questions. Have you checked and or lubricated your fork bearings? Does it happen when you are under braking? Do RPMs change the sound?
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1980 Bajaj
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1980 Bajaj
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Steely Dan wrote:
A few questions. Have you checked and or lubricated your fork bearings? Does it happen when you are under braking? Do RPMs change the sound?
Have not done anything to the fork bearings (the wheel bearing seemed fine). It's definitely related to RPM - I noticed it when I was riding at around 50mph and then it's there when I rev the engine on the stand. I'm not sure about under braking... it's more like a rattle than anything.
@steely_dan avatar
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Lambretta GPs Lambretta S1s, Vespa Gl, Vespa P200, Serveta 150
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@steely_dan avatar
Lambretta GPs Lambretta S1s, Vespa Gl, Vespa P200, Serveta 150
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I'd check the usual suspects, fan shroud, front fender nuts and bolts and center stand spring. Glad that it does not sound too serious.
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Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
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@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
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just sounds like something loose. check the headset and front end.
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@qascooter avatar
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79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
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@qascooter avatar
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
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I've ran into:

Loose front fender bolt
Front fender crest
Headset bolts
License plate vanity cover
Glove box lock
Cowl pin
Cowl glove box arm
Tail light body
Fan shroud
Center stand spring
Exhaust spring.

And I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. Razz emoticon
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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1980 Bajaj
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Thanks guys, as long as it's not something serious...it definitely sounds like it's coming from the front
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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Probably not related to the rattle noise...

What is the normal play of the fork? Or is there such a thing?

I stripped down the wheel/suspension assembly, as you see in the picture below, and with the front straight, if I grab the end of the fork and move it front and back, there's about 1/4-1/3 inch (5-7mm) play.

I've been servicing mountain bike suspensions and forks and I have a way to eliminate the play - keep tightening the fork until I feel a resistance swinging the handlebars, then turn a bit more as I know it would eventually settle just right.

I assume it's a similar procedure, just don't feel like getting into it (removing the headlight assembly etc)
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@hibbert avatar
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Molto Verboso
Vespa
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Molto Verboso
@hibbert avatar
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Could be the fork nuts need more tension. You need to remove the headset bolt to raise the headset to access the fork nut. Once visible you should be able to use a punch to turn the nuts.
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1958 Allstate 177VMC, 1962 Allstate, Yamaha Vino 70cc
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1958 Allstate 177VMC, 1962 Allstate, Yamaha Vino 70cc
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npn wrote:
Probably not related to the rattle noise...

What is the normal play of the fork? Or is there such a thing?

I stripped down the wheel/suspension assembly, as you see in the picture below, and with the front straight, if I grab the end of the fork and move it front and back, there's about 1/4-1/3 inch (5-7mm) play.

I've been servicing mountain bike suspensions and forks and I have a way to eliminate the play - keep tightening the fork until I feel a resistance swinging the handlebars, then turn a bit more as I know it would eventually settle just right.


I assume it's a similar procedure, just don't feel like getting into it (removing the headlight assembly etc)
Shouldn't be any play. My 59 Allstate has play as well, gonna fiddle with that once I shut her down for the winter. My 62 Allstate has no play.
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76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate, 66 Lammy S3
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276 Days Since Last Explosion
 
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@chandlerman avatar
76 Sprint V, 63 GL, 62 VBB, 05 Stella, 66 Smallstate, 66 Lammy S3
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276 Days Since Last Explosion
UTC quote
hibbert wrote:
Could be the fork nuts need more tension. You need to remove the headset bolt to raise the headset to access the fork nut. Once visible you should be able to use a punch to turn the nuts.
Yup. This. The bearings and races are probably not worn out, but you definitely have play that shouldn't be there. It probably also rattles and shudders when braking, if I had to guess.

As already noted, you can tighten it up by pulling the headset. No need to disconnect any cables or wires, you just need to be able to get at the fork nuts, at which point tighten them like you would a bike.
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