I recently "upgraded" from a Kawasaki Ninja 250 (which was what I spent about a year learning to ride on and refused to take on the interstate!) to a 2007 Sportster 883L. The day after I purchased it, the hubby and I headed for a weekender and I found myself on the "tail of the dragon" at Deal's Gap, NC. I am proud to say that I survived that trip without a hitch - my Sporty and I are getting along great.
However, shortly after that trip, I took it back to the dealership to have an engine guard and windshield installed. Since then, I have mostly ridden around town, back and forth to work and such. The problem is, since having those items added,t I have noticed that if I hit a bump, there is an audible CLANK coming from the front end, and the impact jars my teeth! Does anybody have any idea what might be causing that CLANK? I did buy the bike gently used (it only had 1100 miles on it) - it can't possibly be that the front shocks are shot, can it?? Could the engine guard or the (removable) windshield be causing this? The worst part is that it has me spooked - I am not sure if this is common with Sportsters and perhaps I didn't notice it on the road trip because I was on such a high from being on my new bike, or if there is something wrong, so I have been a little more timid riding it, which my hubby says is not a safe way to ride.
Also, one more question: since I bought it used, I have no owner's manual. How do I tell what kind of seat I have? All I know is that it is a two up seat with a backrest. If I considered changing it out for one more comfy for long rides, or one that might fit me a little better (I am only 5'2 - and this bike seems to fit pretty well!), I don't know what I have to compare to what my options might be.
However, shortly after that trip, I took it back to the dealership to have an engine guard and windshield installed. Since then, I have mostly ridden around town, back and forth to work and such. The problem is, since having those items added,t I have noticed that if I hit a bump, there is an audible CLANK coming from the front end, and the impact jars my teeth! Does anybody have any idea what might be causing that CLANK? I did buy the bike gently used (it only had 1100 miles on it) - it can't possibly be that the front shocks are shot, can it?? Could the engine guard or the (removable) windshield be causing this? The worst part is that it has me spooked - I am not sure if this is common with Sportsters and perhaps I didn't notice it on the road trip because I was on such a high from being on my new bike, or if there is something wrong, so I have been a little more timid riding it, which my hubby says is not a safe way to ride.
Also, one more question: since I bought it used, I have no owner's manual. How do I tell what kind of seat I have? All I know is that it is a two up seat with a backrest. If I considered changing it out for one more comfy for long rides, or one that might fit me a little better (I am only 5'2 - and this bike seems to fit pretty well!), I don't know what I have to compare to what my options might be.