Topic: Show me your steering dampers!

[joeyvans]

Wow... Guess I am late to the party! Woo!

Not a 750, but bolted mine to the right side of the lower triple and used a fork/frame clamp from 'Fast From the Past' on the left side of the frame for adjustment on the fly.


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[flybox1]

So, speaking of mounting options, I've been pondering geometry.
If you use this hole, and mount the damper on the right side of the frame, it seems pretty clear that you'll get a decent "sweep", that is, the distance between the hole and the right side frame downtube will be shortest at full right steering lock, and longest at full left steering lock.

On the other hand, if you use that same hole but mount the damper on the LEFT side of the frame, so that it's crossing diagonally across the front of the frame, do you still get the same amount of "sweep"?

I could math this out, and will when I get the time, but I thought I'd ask to see what you gents knew about it first.

thanks
mystic_1

I'd like to see what you come up with, mystic. 
I didnt like the feel of mine mounted on the R lower triple hole.  Seemed like small bar movements didnt engage the damper enough for it to feel effective, so I relocated it all to the left side.

[Whaleman]

Just installed the ebay kit linked on the first page. It comes from Yamiya in Japan. Fits and works perfect. I got an email from Yamiya telling me in the future it is cheaper to order directly as opposed to buying through Ebay. Dan

[DaveBarbier]

So, speaking of mounting options, I've been pondering geometry.
If you use this hole, and mount the damper on the right side of the frame, it seems pretty clear that you'll get a decent "sweep", that is, the distance between the hole and the right side frame downtube will be shortest at full right steering lock, and longest at full left steering lock.

On the other hand, if you use that same hole but mount the damper on the LEFT side of the frame, so that it's crossing diagonally across the front of the frame, do you still get the same amount of "sweep"?

I could math this out, and will when I get the time, but I thought I'd ask to see what you gents knew about it first.

thanks
mystic_1

I'd like to see what you come up with, mystic. 
I didnt like the feel of mine mounted on the R lower triple hole.  Seemed like small bar movements didnt engage the damper enough for it to feel effective, so I relocated it all to the left side.

I agree. I posed this question when I got my steering damper on my build thread. Mine too goes from the lower right triple to the left side frame rail. I've never felt a working steering damper but if I change the setting from strong to weak I only notice a little difference. I think it should be stronger.

I took it as giving you more mechanical advantage making you able to turn through the damper easier rather than not engaging the damper because of a shorter movement. If I remove the damper and have it in my hand even trying to move it a half inch gives strong resistance.

[DaveBarbier]

Ok, just because of Mystic and Flybox I moved my damper to the entire left side. I can definitely feel a difference. Helped that I had a fork clamp laying around.

[joeyvans]

Nice, Dave! I might have to move mine now too. I will measure my forks, but what size fork clamp are you using and where did you acquire it?


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[Stev-o]

Nice, Dave! I might have to move mine now too. I will measure my forks, but what size fork clamp are you using and where did you acquire it?

+1...like that clamp

[DaveBarbier]

I got it a few years ago, the seller on eBay doesn't even exist anymore, haha. The title of the listing was '35mm steering damper bracket'. It was like $25.

And yeah, it's a 35mm clamp for the forks on the 550.

[joeyvans]

Thanks for the info! The 'Fast From the Past' clamps are really nice, but they are $36. They have 2 M8 threaded holes, which was nice for my frame mount, but I think I would prefer just 1 threaded hole for the fork side.... just like yours.


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[DaveBarbier]

This is a similar clamp to mine:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/201364177916

Mine has a milled section which this doesn't have so we can't be twins, . Makes it look like an excited robot.

[joeyvans]

Haha! Yeah it does. Looks like that other one ships from China.... ugh! Might still go with the FFTP clamp. Thanks again, man!


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[flybox1]

$24+free shipping  ~2 weeks delivery from overseas.
Clear, black or gold.  All sizes.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/35MM-Universal-CNC-Steering-Damper-Stabilizer-Mounting-Stanchion-Bracket-Fork-Tube-Clamp-for-Triumph-Ducati-Buell/1957262_32542551708.html

[Stev-o]

$24+free shipping  ~2 weeks delivery from overseas.
Clear, black or gold.  All sizes.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/35MM-Universal-CNC-Steering-Damper-Stabilizer-Mounting-Stanchion-Bracket-Fork-Tube-Clamp-for-Triumph-Ducati-Buell/1957262_32542551708.html

I like the jumpsuits they sell too!

[flybox1]

$24+free shipping  ~2 weeks delivery from overseas.
Clear, black or gold.  All sizes.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/35MM-Universal-CNC-Steering-Damper-Stabilizer-Mounting-Stanchion-Bracket-Fork-Tube-Clamp-for-Triumph-Ducati-Buell/1957262_32542551708.html

I like the jumpsuits they sell too!

My wife was in the room.  i didnt check out that page 

[Swoop]

Why not tone things down and start a gun control thread?

Lighten up....he only asked how to mount the damn thing!

[Sgt.Pinback]

Old "HONDA - schuh" damper

[Gman]

http://www.banggood.com/Aluminum-Steering-Damper-Fork-Frame-Mounting-Clamp-Bracket-For-Motorcycle-Bike-p-1042752.html

From Banggood.  I know, right?  Just a joke waiting to happen.  "Why, yes I do!"

However, I ordered one (35 mm) a few weeks ago and just got it.  Looks to be decent - only issue is the bolts that came with are too short for my liking, as they only go a few threads into the body.  Easy fix.  For $10, figured I couldn't go wrong...

Cheers,
G

[mystic_1]

The main thing I worry about when it comes to cheap aftermarket parts is material quality.  I wonder what alloys are being used, and how high the quality of the raw materials was when they made the parts.

I'd never managed to break a pair of standard pliers just by squeezing them with my hand, until I bought one from Harbor Freight.  It snapped like a dry twig, and I wasn't even in Hulk mode at the time.

After that of course there's issues of fit and finish and the engineering (if any) that actually went into the design.


On the other hand, sometimes a clamp is just a clamp, and i do tend to worry too much about things.   

mystic_1

[joeyvans]

That review wasn't helpful, mystic?


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[Stev-o]

http://www.banggood.com/Aluminum-Steering-Damper-Fork-Frame-Mounting-Clamp-Bracket-For-Motorcycle-Bike-p-1042752.html

From Banggood. 

"Make you more safely when driving."

How reassuring!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Has anyone used the shorter throw Ohlins dampers on their bikes?

[FunJimmy]

Why not tone things down and start a gun control thread?

Lighten up....he only asked how to mount the damn thing!

Now that would be fun!

[brewsky]

Why not tone things down and start a gun control thread?

 

No difference between gun control and steering damper........just use both hands either case!

Take both hands off the bars at 45mph on decel and see!

[754]

 My 836 , with the stretched swingarm......you could let go of the bars at 45 mph, downshift without clutch and get down to about 10 or 15 mph.. no hands no problem...... is that OK ?

[Stev-o]

My 836 , with the stretched swingarm......you could let go of the bars at 45 mph, downshift without clutch and get down to about 10 or 15 mph.. no hands no problem...... is that OK ?

Video or it didn't happen!