Suspension Noise

[pendraig]

I have hearing in only one ear, so cannot easily make out whether noises are coming from port, starboard, fore or aft.
This spring I started to hear a noise which I will describe as a hollow knock when passing over certain bumps at low speeds. Due to the timing of the noise, I am guessing that it is coming from the rear suspension as the rear tyre goes over the bump, but could also be a rebound noise from the front. I had a friend with better ears take it out, but he can't ID the source either. The noise has become more frequent over the course of the summer as smaller inequalities in the roads surface are sufficient to bring it about. The rear shock, or damper, which is 65,000 miles old, appears visually to be in good condition, but ?????
Noise is like TOK!, TOKKA TOKKA TOK TOK! as the machine passes over rough pavement.
I'm about ready to try replacing the monoshock, but would hate to be barking up the wrong tree. Anybody have similar symptoms with accurate diagnosis?
Thanks in advance

[j98sprint]

Loose steering head bearings make that kind of noise. To adjust the pre-load on those bearings you'll need Triumph tool #3880140. They're called head race adjusters. They're a pair of flat open end wrenches.

I think I remember them being quite cheap from the dealer, around $25.

j98sprint

[pendraig]

Thanks; I'll look into that tonight. I haven't found any really obvious play there, but also have procrastinated on pulling the front wheel so as to be able to give the forks a really good shake.

[pendraig]

Are these spanners around 25 each, or for a pair? Do you actually need two of these? I'm looking at the 'fiche, (I don't have my service manual here), and it's showing qty of 2, but looking at page w/fork parts, it looks like only one flat adjuster nut involved.
Thanks again;
Bill

[Hinckley]

Yes, two are needed.

[j98sprint]

And they are sold as a pair for that price as I remember around $25. But that was 3 or 4 years ago, so probably somewhat higher.

The two large nuts engaged by the wrenches are under the top yoke.

j98sprint

P.S. Sorry about the coils.

May sound kinda stupid, but also check your centerstand spring and see if it is firmly holding the centerstand up against the stops or if it has some slop in it allowing the centerstand to bounce around when you hit bumps...

[pendraig]

I checked it out. Loose. Bought spanners. Tightened headstock. No more noise! Thanks J98Sprint, you steered me in the right direction.

" I feel MUCH better now!" ...John Astin

[j98sprint]

Glad to help brother.

j98