Strange Cracking Noise?

[93_5.0]

I just bought my 86 250R last week and so far it has been awsome! but lately there has been a cracking sound coming from the front end area. Its weird because I can't just like pull on the bars and it makes the noise, I have to be excelerating hard.

It seems like it keeps getting worse.

I know everyones first thing to say is look at the frame for cracks but I looked at my frame for 20 minuets yesterday and no one crack is on that frame.

It almost seems like the steering stem is coming in and out but I really don't know.

I have tightened everything on the front end. bars, crossover bar, stem, bar clamps, A arms, Shocks, ect and it is still there I'm out of ideas.

any input would be greatly appreciated.

[peeping TOM]

maybe the bearings totally shot on the bottom of the stem ?? giving u play and a crunching noise ,,

[93_5.0]

thanks for the input, I did think of that and there is maybe 1/16 of an inch of play in the stem.

Do you think that could be causing the noise?

[93_5.0]

come on people..........

I need some other peoples ideas

[TheFontMaster]

Check the nut that holds the bottom of the stem to the frame, it is ether loose, or the bearings are going. It's nothing major to fix.

[beerock]

did you check the upper stem area on the frame, sometimes the frame cracks there.

[elbine69]

possibly the spacer that goes between the bearing and nut is missing or worn down?

[93_5.0]

I put a steering stabilizer that I had laying around on it and no more noise. . . . .

kinda strange but I'm goin to replace the baring between the stem and the mounting braket anyways.