Author Topic: Steering dampner - Anyone installed one (Read 21954 times)

seaweb11 · « **Reply #75 on:** October 23, 2006, 06:47:04 PM »

Sorry to hear you had such a hard time finding the clamp Chris.
The "thing a ma wiggy" long flat washer I used was a piece of chromed steel I had lying around. It was needed because without it, the thread would hit the dampner, with no room for the nut. I just layed it over a pipe and hit it a few times till I had the right curve for the frame. I thought about cutting the threads on the clamp, but decided against it when I found the piece of chrome steel the right size.

There's something missing in my memory here, ....."Beer" but I do remember that drilling the holes on the ends was better done after the bending

other wise things get a bit narrow on the hole alignment.

Can't wait to hear your comments after riding with the new addition.

How about anyone else here who put one of these things on their scoot based on this thread? Or was my K** so F%$#ck up that I'm the only one who went YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! its a new bike.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #76 on:** October 23, 2006, 06:48:37 PM »

I am sold on the Dampner, as it made my bike much more enjoyable to ride..

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #77 on:** October 24, 2006, 02:58:13 PM »

Well far be it from me to sound negative guys, but I have to say that those muffler clamp mounts look decidely half-assed! I know that they're the easiest solution to mounting a damper, but they really look "agricultural".

If you shaped a nice steel tab and took it down to your local muffler shop, it'd cost you 20 bucks max to get it welded on (a real "5 minute" job) and you could slop a little paint on it, and you'd have a nice professional looking job. If you somehow decide to remove the damper (dunno why) it'd take the same time to chop the mount back off and file the remains of the weld flat again.

Just my 2 cents guys, but it's hard for me to admire a muffler clamp that's designed to be hidden away under a car! Cheers, Terry.

AR-Guy · « **Reply #78 on:** October 24, 2006, 03:14:30 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on October 24, 2006, 02:58:13 PM

looks decidely half-assed! ... but they really look "agricultural".
Cheers, Terry.

Well I have never seen the word "agricultural" used in such a way!!!

But love the reference. If I remember my time down under it was Sheep "agricultural".

Buck

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #79 on:** October 24, 2006, 03:23:42 PM »

Quote from: AR-Guy on October 24, 2006, 03:14:30 PM

Quote from: Terry in Australia on October 24, 2006, 02:58:13 PM
looks decidely half-assed! ... but they really look "agricultural".
Cheers, Terry.

Well I have never seen the word "agricultural" used in such a way!!! But love the reference. If I remember my time down under it was Sheep "agricultural".

Buck

G'Day Buck, well here in Oz, "Agricultural Engineering" is something a farmer does out of necessity, usually with a piece of fencing wire.

I really admire well engineered bikes (Mike rieck's "Million Dollar CB, for instance) so I'm probably a tad biased, but I'd hate to see a culture of "Agricultural Engineering" creeping into this site as the accepted method of modifying our bikes?

I know we're all cheap bastards, but we don't want to bring our standards down to trailer park level, do we? Cheers, Terry.

AR-Guy · « **Reply #80 on:** October 24, 2006, 03:35:13 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on October 24, 2006, 03:23:42 PM

Quote from: AR-Guy on October 24, 2006, 03:14:30 PM
Quote from: Terry in Australia on October 24, 2006, 02:58:13 PM
looks decidely half-assed! ... but they really look "agricultural".
Cheers, Terry.

Well I have never seen the word "agricultural" used in such a way!!! But love the reference. If I remember my time down under it was Sheep "agricultural".

Buck

G'Day Buck, well here in Oz, "Agricultural Engineering" is something a farmer does out of necessity, usually with a piece of fencing wire.

I really admire well engineered bikes (Mike rieck's "Million Dollar CB, for instance) so I'm probably a tad biased, but I'd hate to see a culture of "Agricultural Engineering" creeping into this site as the accepted method of modifying our bikes?

I know we're all cheap bastards, but we don't want to bring our standards down to trailer park level, do we? Cheers, Terry.

I completely agree with that. I had just never heard of “-but they really look "agricultural-“ and I just like what the statement says and implies in a civil way. Man I miss my short time down in Oz, I gotta get back down there.

Buck

Chris Liston · « **Reply #81 on:** October 24, 2006, 04:43:05 PM »

Terry, I do agree with the messy look of the clamp. I've also been toying with the idea of using some 1/8" steel and bolting it to the horn mounting tabs and bending it 90deg so that the dampner can mount to that. Does anyone know if that (would) be strong enough. Painted black it would look stock as the steel would be behind the horn mount and just sticking out with a bend for the dampner. Would be on the right side of the bike this way..

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #82 on:** October 24, 2006, 05:03:33 PM »

Quote from: Chris Liston on October 24, 2006, 04:43:05 PM

Terry, I do agree with the messy look of the clamp. I've also been toying with the idea of using some 1/8" steel and bolting it to the horn mounting tabs and bending it 90deg so that the dampner can mount to that. Does anyone know if that (would) be strong enough. Painted black it would look stock as the steel would be behind the horn mount and just sticking out with a bend for the dampner. Would be on the right side of the bike this way..

G'Day Chris, I think 1/8" might be a bit thin mate, I'd recommend something thicker, maybe 5mm? The longer the bracket, the more flex you're gonna have to deal with. Cheers, Terry.

Superbiker_uk · « **Reply #83 on:** October 25, 2006, 03:16:52 AM »

Quote

Well far be it from me to sound negative guys, but I have to say that those muffler clamp mounts look decidedly half-assed!

In defence of the clamp method, I chose it because I wanted to be faithful to Paul Dunstall's version of the damper. I have an original Dunstall damper for a CB750 but it is a little worn out so will be sticking with the Sebac for now. In denfence to anyone else who adopted the same method it is nice and easy to do, if you don't like it you can take it off, it will not damage your paint / powder coated frame and of course it works perfectly.

If I did it all again and didn't want a Dunstall 'copy' I would probably look for a more engineered option as you suggest. However, I don't feel that the solution is half-assed as it is quite a good one.

Just my opinion of course

seaweb11 · « **Reply #84 on:** October 25, 2006, 02:17:10 PM »

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #85 on:** October 25, 2006, 04:17:32 PM »

Lets see..

I can keep the clamp that works just fine and payed under $2 for
or
Have Terry make me up an over-engineered clamp for who knows how much $$ to have it do the same thing ?

I'll keep my "muffler" clamp , but thanks anyways Terry .....

dagersh · « **Reply #86 on:** October 25, 2006, 05:21:50 PM »

Chris,

Let us know how you make out with the Dennis Kirk Clamp. I like the look of it.

Proteal,

What was the size of the pipe clamp you used? Did you have to do the same modification as Seaweb?

Thanks,

Gersh

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #87 on:** October 25, 2006, 05:30:05 PM »

Quote from: dagersh on October 25, 2006, 05:21:50 PM

Proteal,

What was the size of the pipe clamp you used? Did you have to do the same modification as Seaweb?

Couldnt tell ya what size it was, but it was right on the money...
They had a wall (and I mean a wall) of them at the Home Depot I went too...

Chris Liston · « **Reply #88 on:** October 25, 2006, 05:44:39 PM »

Well, I mocked up the dampner on the 550 tonight with the muffler clamp same as proteal and seaweb did. I had to dremel the clamp to get the locknut to fit and now its too flexible. I wound up mounting anyway but don't really like the idea of using the clamp. Just looked too out of place for me.
I'll probably order the dennis kirk mount and see how that works out. I'll be mounting on the right side of the bike. Don't like the underneath as I have way too much going on under there in terms of cables,etc... I've been looking for some other types of universal mounts and not finding much out there. Toby makes a body clamp for 15-29mm round frames but I've been unable to get a pic as of yet.

On the damper though, after I mocked it up and played with the settings and just moved the bars rapidly it really does make a difference. slow speed no change but the faster I move the bars side to side the firmer it got. Well worthy mod as soon as I get it mounted.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #89 on:** October 25, 2006, 06:08:26 PM »

Hey Chris. Take a photo of what you ended up with so far. dremel issues? etc.
Mine ended up very tight and snug fitting.

My horn and other crap made my decision to go right to left a no brainer. Still had to use a washer for clearance, but hey...it's a home made bike

cb350twin · « **Reply #90 on:** October 26, 2006, 02:05:57 AM »

Do the GSXR ones work as good or are they too short? And you guys say you notice quite a differance huh? hmm....

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #91 on:** October 26, 2006, 07:30:42 AM »

Quote from: cb350twin on October 26, 2006, 02:05:57 AM

And you guys say you notice quite a difference huh? hmm....

It puts resistance against the front-end of the bike.
So when your front tire hits a bump, the "violence" isn't as bad as it would be without a dampener.Also helps with high speed "head-shake" , as ALL modern rocket bikes have these..

cb350twin · « **Reply #92 on:** October 26, 2006, 02:37:19 PM »

Ya I meant it as hmm I gotta get me one of these!

Do the GXSR ones work as well? Also the steering bracket that the dampner attaches too can that be removed easy? a got some rust on mine.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #93 on:** October 27, 2006, 01:49:18 AM »

Quote from: ProTeal55 on October 25, 2006, 04:17:32 PM

Lets see..
I can keep the clamp that works just fine and payed under $2 for
or
Have Terry make me up an over-engineered clamp for who knows how much $$ to have it do the same thing ?

I'll keep my "muffler" clamp , but thanks anyways Terry .....

What? A flat metal tab with a hole in it, welded to your frame is "over-engineering" mate? Geez, I'm glad you're not building frames, it'd just be a mess of muffler clamps, ha ha! Hey, but if you like that "agricultural" look, (and I guess you must, looking at your mods so far) then go for it! Cheers, Terry.

750goes · « **Reply #94 on:** October 27, 2006, 03:33:31 AM »

don't think this has been said so far -

when you have the damper installed - select the lightest setting and then start your riding experience all over again. as you get used to the feel of the new handling - gradually increase the settings to where you feel most comfortable with the bikes performance...

I'll post a few pics of the cheap one I picked up pre ebay (bought it before it got bids)....along with a wheel barrow full of bits...

next week or so.....

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #95 on:** October 27, 2006, 07:07:18 AM »

Whatever you say Terry

AR-Guy · « **Reply #96 on:** November 04, 2006, 06:03:57 PM »

Chris,
Did ya get to install the dampener? If so any pics?

Buck

seaweb11 · « **Reply #97 on:** November 04, 2006, 06:23:05 PM »

Saw a 750 recently that had 2 dampners on it.
He used aileron actuators from an aircraft. Dual oil hoses the works. Very cool

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #98 on:** November 04, 2006, 07:18:09 PM »

Overkill is sometimes a good thing

Nate · « **Reply #99 on:** November 15, 2006, 12:48:52 PM »

Quote from: Chris Liston on June 07, 2006, 12:40:50 PM

How did you mount to the fork. I found this online...

From Dennis Kirk 35mm fork clamp.

Did you end up trying this fork clamp? How did it work out?

News:

Author Topic: Steering dampner - Anyone installed one (Read 21954 times)

AR-Guy

AR-Guy

Superbiker_uk

AR-Guy