Front end clanking

Just solved a no-start/no-crank situation (with a little help from the forum...)
This here is my next challenge.
'82 XJ550 Seca, 1oK miles.
Clanking coming out of the front end over bumps at slow speeds ... There's nothing loose anywhere up there, instruments on the original rubber, nothing loose inside the headlight bucket, steering bearings are correctly adjusted, horns are tight, forks seems to be in good shape. Front wheel bearings are good.
Just added 1"PVC spacers to the fork springs to reduce the sag a bit, changed the oil. Seems slightly less noisy after the spacers. It's a bit like a sheet-metal sound, like the headlight shell rattling against something. I did a few experiments where I hit bumps at slow speeds with the front brake on lightly, which totally eliminated the noise. Is it possible the brake pads are making all that racket? I recently rebuilt the caliper and didn't find any anti-rattle springs in there, maybe they're missing...

 

well just answered my own question, parts diagram shows anti-rattle springs.
First thing to try, I guess.

 

Yes they need to be there

 

I had the same thing recently after I rebuilt my calipers.
When I travelled over a very bumpy road and the noise got really bad, I stopped to check.
The cause was obvious then: I never torqued up the caliper retaining bolts, they had worked loose for almost 10 mm.
After fastening the bolts with the on board tools, I continued my way very much more careful than the 120 km/h that I had done previously on the highway.
Still need to torque up the bolts, but I have parked the bike to install the throttle shaft seals that I ordered from XJ4ever.
Obviously an inspection of the caliper in in order when I have finished that.

 

Medium-strength Lock-tite is your friend.