Sudden Front Fork Area Squeaking

[happytech]

PROBLEM:

I've noticed for the last few days that when I back in to a parking space that I'll hear a squeaking on the bike. Well, the wife and I took turns this evening and we found the area but I can't figure out why it's doing it. The area appears to be the front forks. I've also notice a really harsh ride lately but all the tire balance weights seem to be there. Related to the squeaking?

HISTORY:

Last bolt torqueing (per manual) was mid-March of this year (500+ miles ago). Squeaking has been going on now for probably a week or two - don't really know when it started but it's getting worse. There is NO sign of any oil leaking anywhere on the struts, on the ground, on the wheel, etc. The last time the front tupperware was off was the end of March (26th) when I had a dealership replace a defective rectifier (under warranty). Yes the fork caps are on and tight.

QUESTION(S):

So, if the squeaking has just started in the last hundred miles or so what could cause it? This IS my transport so I can't afford (financially or time-wise) to have it tied up for any length of time and I really don't want to have to pull the struts myself - maybe if I was just changing the oil, but since I'd be looking for a problem and I wouldn't know what to look for, I don't really want to tackle this problem at this point.

Again, the major player in this puzzle is why now does it start squeaking? If the struts were low in the beginning, why now instead of when I first got it (November, 2009)?

[M38A1]

Could it be the 'squeakers' on the front brake pads? Typically they will start to squeak when the pad thickness matches the 'squeaker' tab on the backing plate. It would probably be accentuated when you back up as the forks are probably turned one side or another and for some odd reason, they seem to squeak more backwards.

Just a thought....

[Hemibee]

Squeaks from the front brake? Or is it from compressing the forks? Is the squeak from the steering head?




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[happytech]

It sounds like it's the forks, but then I can only get my head so close to them as my wife lovingly bounces the bike up and down.

As to the steering head - I'm not well enough acquainted with that part to give an intelligent answer.

If it helps, it sounds like a very sharp squeak (if that makes sense).

The frustrating part is that the bike only has less than 5,500 miles on it and the squeak has only started, I'm wildly guessing, a hundred or so miles ago. I didn't pay it much mind at first - figured it was just the brake pads being a bit dirty.* But today, before I got off of it at work, I bounced a bit and I could hear it - think fingernails on chalkboard.

So as I said - beloved and I went out and took turns bouncing and listening and we both agree that it's the front fork area.

But again I ask why the sudden coming on of this - there is absoluty no evidence of oil escaping or bad seals? Really don't want to take it to the dealer ($$$).

*For some unknown reason, I pick up a lot of road grime and it loves to attach itself (grime, very small 1/2 BB sized gravel, etc.) to the rear parts of my ride. Doesn't matter how often I clean the back CVT and swingarm area, within a day it can be a mess.

[txbanditrydr]

Pop the fork caps off (careful - they're under tension) and remover the spacer and washer assembly. Take the springs and rotate them in the tubes - reassemble and give it a bounce. Sometimes the springs will seat in an area that rubs/squeaks. Cheap solution if it works.

[ed29]

Check if your brake line is rubbing in a guide or otherwise causing the squeak.

[Monkey Wrench Cycles]

If it isnt the brakes (which is a common problem) how do the fork seals look? Are they leaking at all? When is the last time the fork oil was changed? Could be low on fork oil causing it to squeek. Had a bike in recently with the same problem

[happytech]

Fork seals look good - not a leak in site.

The tubes look smooth and shiney.

There is very little bounce when I ride it and very little front end dip when I stop, even hard (I'd be worried if there was no front end movement).

The only way I can get it to squeak like a rusty hinge is if I literally bounce on it. From what I can tell, there isn't a lot of fork movement when I ride, thus no squeak. If I was going to take it in I would put some zip ties on the fork to see exactly how much travel was involved.

I've got to go check the front tupperware, etc. later - this only started a bit after the front tupperware was pulled to have the receifier replaced (the (in)famous Suzuki rectifier notice that went out awhile back).

I'm probably making more of this than I should, but with summer fast approaching and my (most likely last opportunity for a) major road trip coming up, I may just be getting a bit paranoid. The bike only has a bit over 5,000 miles on it.

I will say this, right after I got it I was looking around (yes, pulling tupperware) and the gas tank was rusty - that was replaced under warranty. Remember, the tank on this bike is not exposed like most, it's hidden in front of the seat. You have to see a side shot to understand what I mean.

Hmmm, maybe I need to start looking around at those bolts again - they were just torqued about 600 miles ago per manual and looked good. Should I spray all of them with some silicon spray?