noisy forks

Hello all I just bought a 1982 xj650rj love the bike, but a notice a rattle/knock noise on the right fork when going over bumps or bouncing the front of the bike, :? don't see no oil leak from the shock, if I hold lightly the tube and bounce the noise goes away.My question is if the oil leaked out, once the leak is fixed and new oil put in should that take care of the noise too? or do you think there might be a worn out part in there? anybody had a similar problem? should I just try to drain see if any oil comes out from that fork or should I just get new seals and replace them?Thanks

 

Since the noise stops when you hold the tube I would check the pinch bolts for looseness first. There are two for each tube. One at the top of the triple tree and a lower one at the turn signal mount.
I would try to drain the tube just enough to verify if any oil is in there. Not safe to ride without it. No need to change seals until you know they are leaking.

 

Also , is it the brake caliper thats makin the noise?

 

XJ622, what part of the fork are you grasping to make the sound go away? I'd be worried about a loose fork tube! Check both upper and lower bolts ASAP! Not a good thing to have. I would also check the oil in your forks as Max suggested. Caliper would be a loose third choice, but should be checked just the same (good call HooNz).

 

Maybe you should rethink owning a bike, if you can't find a rattle in the forks? come on now!

 

I had already checked the pinch bolts and they were tight,and the calipers do have movement but not enough to knock,When i said I was holding the forks I was putting my index and thum around the dust seal between the inner/outer tubes not really holding just kinda dampening and the noise went away also if i pull up on the forks I don't hear it only pushing down.

 

I'm thinking it is time to pull the forks apart. Oil could be low and the tube bushings might be toast. Time to rebuild. Don't be alarmed, they aren't as difficult as one might think. There are a few really good threads in our archives on how to follow this through. Heck, if your really nice, I'll bet Rick will produce a writeup for you to follow. Let us know what you find when you get them apart.

 

What do the dust seals look like - have you been noticing an oily ring around the upperfork leg?

I think Robert's advice is good - particularily if you haven't done the forks before (or have no record of the PO doing it).