My V-Star 1100 has been making this weird sound for the past few days and I have no idea what it is. Its a high pitched rattling/squeaking sound, definitely coming from somewhere in the front end. Its loudest at around 30-35 mph (and obviously when I've got the clutch pulled in), and possibly has something to do with the front brakes, because it changed (but doesn't go away) when I brake. A friend who rides a ninja suggested I check the forks and seals. Any idea what this might be? I find the idea of it being the front brakes odd because I had new pads put on just a few thousand miles ago.

Not sure if this helps bit I had a similar noise as well. Turned out to be the little retainer spring in my headlight. I bent it a little more and the noise is gone. Might be worth the look.
Good luck.

Gator wood,

I don't have any idea, but, noises often seem to travel. Hard to tell what direction they are comming from. Doesn't seem like the brakes would make a rattling sound. If it were a brake you would likely hear a change when you apply the brake. Doesn't seem like the clutch would affect any thing in the front end. Take a look at the drive shaft and final drive. Do the fluted ends look OK and lubricated? Everything tight?

Maybe put teh bike on a jack and tap around lightly with a rubber hammer. Test for play in bearings like wheels forks, stearing.

Stargazer, bet that spring noise was hard to find?

Dave

Dave
Drove me crazy all last year. I did what you suggested to Gator, I tapped all around the bike with a rubber mallet and my hands. Finally found the culprit hiding in my headlight. 2 minutes with a pair of pliers and all is good. The little retaining spring was just loose enough to allow my headlight frame to rattle and squeak around within the pod.
Now I can focus on those voices in my head again.

you might have your brakes checked to see if your pads are glazed over. just my two cents.