Topic: Steering damper anyone?

[MCRider]

Nice!  I have one of those damper's like you have, I just need to find and buy one of those clamps so I can mount it.

Maybe something like this would work. (Google "motorcycle frame tube clamp")
http://www.motosport.com/cruiser/product/?psreferrer=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252Furl%253Fsa%257Cequalto%257Ct%257Camp%257Crct%257Cequalto%257Cj%257Camp%257Cq%257Cequalto%257C%257Camp%257Cesrc%257Cequalto%257Cs%257Camp%257Cfrm%257Cequalto%257C1%257Camp%257Csource%257Cequalto%257Cproductsearch%257Camp%257Ccd%257Cequalto%257C8%257Camp%257Cdocid%257Cequalto%257C12215290449676807248%257Camp%257Csqi%257Cequalto%257C2%257Camp%257Cved%257Cequalto%257C0CJYBEIMIMAc%257Camp%257Curl%257Cequalto%257Chttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.motosport.com%252Fad%252F%253Fcode%257Cequalto%257CSP-RKG-C-PRODUCT%257Camp%257Ckey%257Cequalto%257CKURYAKYN-PCLAMP%257Camp%257Cutm_source%257Cequalto%257CGoogle%2BShopping%257Camp%257Cutm_medium%257Cequalto%257CCSEs%257Camp%257Cutm_campaign%257Cequalto%257CRKG%257Camp%257Ccsource%257Cequalto%257Cgoogle%257Camp%257Czmam%257Cequalto%257C71052737%257Camp%257Czmas%257Cequalto%257C1%257Camp%257Czmac%257Cequalto%257C1%257Camp%257Czmap%257Cequalto%257CKUR-PCL-M3941CR%257Camp%257Cei%257Cequalto%257CXRupT6GLMMLfiALB0cDYAg%257Camp%257Cusg%257Cequalto%257CAFQjCNEwsjSGI0k3OWdwQbC75DN3_5YhYQ%257Camp%257Csig2%257Cequalto%257COE2rm-1u4WYHdxD8AFlBEQ&key=KURYAKYN-PCLAMP&utm_source=Google%2BShopping&utm_medium=CSEs&utm_campaign=RKG&zmam=71052737&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=KUR-PCL-M3941CR&segment=badger

When I mounted a Dunstall damper (like the ones in question) it came with a clamp that looked like a small muffler clamp, standard hardware item. Essentially a U bolt with a bridge across the opening. The bridge then had a hole in it that a small L bracket bolted to, and the damper to the L. i can get a picture if you want.

Always nice to have a machinist friend like IRAs!

[Really?]

Now THAT's a link!  Nice part and not a bad price to me.  Thanks Ron!

[MCRider]

Now THAT's a link!  Nice part and not a bad price to me.  Thanks Ron!

Yeah, surprised me when i pasted it.

I think that clamp comes with shims for smaller tubes, but be sure it fits. Kuryakin's stuff is mainly for HD and they prolly have bigger frame tubes.

[Ira]

Those dampeners go for around $25 on ebay.  Keep in mind, they are NOT adjustable.  You have to change the oil to change the resistance.

[rensan]

This is my first post and my small way of saying thank you to this site.
I got a 1974 Honda CB550K.  I got my steering damper frame/post bracket at:
High Performance Design, Inc.
Product Index under Steering Damper Section.

$25 each, very solid and real sturdy heavy metal.  (Not Agricultural Looking piece at all).
I got my NHK Damper at CB750 Supply but I don't see it there any longer.
They are available at MikesXS at $65 each under Suspension Section.

The ideal mounting location of the damper for me was on the right side (when riding) of the bike.
I have to move the horn a little to the left side.
I just made a small metal plate with 3 holes.
I hope this helps.  Have fun and have a great day!

[crazypj]

Lot of GSXR dampers have air bubbles in them but it's real easy to bleed/re-fill as they have a 3mm screw.
Use syringe and needle from ink jet cartridge re-fill kit and 5~10 wt damper oil (I use Silkolene Pro RSF

[messeduptriple]

So is cheaper  better??? I got shot to this posting now. I see its a bit old but  i was told  you  pay  for what you get.  I know fast from the past has a few nice dampers but they run around 150/ dime city has some and chris told  me i shouldn't  buy any  cheap  dampers... get something  well made. .. long run purchase  if i may say.

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[Viktor.J]

Then what is a cheap steering damper ?

There's tons of used stock dampers on ebay. But im afraid they wont fit or have long enough stroke..
(cb750 K2)..

[messeduptriple]

Then what is a cheap steering damper ?

There's tons of used stock dampers on ebay. But im afraid they wont fit or have long enough stroke..
(cb750 K2)..

i was told  eventually  you will  need to repair and maintain them. Thats why  im sketchy about a 20$ damper. And if  im going  to want smething that works good i have learned the  hardway " you get what you pay for". I think fast from the Past  has some NHK dampers... they  run around 170$ . They look real nice so im wondering has anyone gone through  them or have  boughten an NHK damper? Thanks
- Cristian

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[SF]

get an adjustable dampener but they should be mounted on the left, so you don't take your hand off the throttle

[bwaller]

The 7-way adjustable NHK is available for $100 or less. I've used them forever and rarely ever adjust it, why would you need to? All mine are in the 3rd position including my race bike. Mount the thing wherever you can use the most of it's travel and be sure the mounts aren't sloppy or it's useless. But mounting it so it's easy to adjust "on the fly" I don't understand.

If one feels there is a need for a damper, it could be there is a problem that needs to be fixed first.

[MCRider]

get an adjustable dampener but they should be mounted on the left, so you don't take your hand off the throttle

This is a good point, don't know why i mounted mine on the right, force of habit. The stupid early CB750s had the petcock on the right too. had to let go of throttle to switch to reserve, Honda fixed that later on.

I've already welded a bracket to my frame for the damper on the right side. If I had it to do over would do left side. I did get a left side petcock tank.

I do adjust mine on the fly, (I have a Dunstall 7 click)  for example. I make it hard on the interstate to resists crosswinds and truck drafts. Then go soft when on surface streets.

[crazypj]

Those dampeners go for around $25 on ebay.  Keep in mind, they are NOT adjustable.  You have to change the oil to change the resistance.

 Yep, but they are real easy to do, there is a bleed/fill screw.
I use the syringe from an inkjet refill kit
Can someone re-size the pictures?

[SF]

im building my 550 for street and the track. being able to set and recieve feed back on the fly for me will save time and not piss anybody off on on the track or on the way home. just my 2 $

[Really?]

Those dampeners go for around $25 on ebay.  Keep in mind, they are NOT adjustable.  You have to change the oil to change the resistance.

 Yep, but they are real easy to do, there is a bleed/fill screw.
I use the syringe from an inkjet refill kit
Can someone re-size the pictures?

I read you can push the oil out by squeezing it out and then sucking it back in with the hole in a cup of oil.

[Retro Rocket]

WTF is with the width of this page...

The 7-way adjustable NHK is available for $100 or less

I have been using these since the late 70's when they were marketed for the Z900 Kawasaki's, never had to rebuild one either....

[messeduptriple]

How do i figure  the size damper  needed? ?  I have  a 76 550.

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[crazypj]

WTF is with the width of this page...

The 7-way adjustable NHK is available for $100 or less

I have been using these since the late 70's when they were marketed for the Z900 Kawasaki's, never had to rebuild one either....

I've used the Z900 style damper for years on various bikes
Problem with previous page is MCRider link
I think I would have edited it into more lines of shorter length
or linked to picture only
http://fs7.motosport.com/is/image/Motosport/KUR-PCL-_is?$product_large_1000$
then the site
http://www.motosport.com/cruiser/
Not as easy to find the clamp but you would know it's there and what to look for
 ( just had a look around the site, they have some neat stuff (at exorbitant prices)
 Did a quick search for Kuryakin clamps and a bunch of different stuff popped up
http://www.motosport.com/cruiser/search/?textsearch=Kuryakin+clamps

[JimHanus]

I use one on my CBR600F2 and like it very much. I bought a set of carb balancers and the seller insisted I buy this also (cheap $10). Never installed it until one day I went over a bumpy bridge at about 60mph and had a tank slapper. No crash but pretty scary. Installed the damper and went back over the same spot, same speed to try to make it happen again (couldn't). I find it fun to experiment with the settings and see how it affects the steering/handling under different conditions, but usually leave it at the lowest setting.

Jim

[bwaller]

Glad your damper helped Jim but probably not the best way to test.  But I think you're correct, setting in the lightest position that works is key. Ron mentioned setting it tight for a buffeting blast passing a truck but I think that stiffening the steering in this case helps transmit the ill effects front to rear. Some damping without making the steering really heavy will help eliminate those scary moments. Adjusting on the fly breaks a riders concentration.

What the hell I'm no expert, it's worth the discussion though.

[MCRider]

Glad your damper helped Jim but probably not the best way to test.  But I think you're correct, setting in the lightest position that works is key. Ron mentioned setting it tight for a buffeting blast passing a truck but I think that stiffening the steering in this case helps transmit the ill effects front to rear. Some damping without making the steering really heavy will help eliminate those scary moments. Adjusting on the fly breaks a riders concentration.

What the hell I'm no expert, it's worth the discussion though.

I found the tighter setting was beneficial facing sidewinds and truck blasts. But certainly its personal preference.

Adjustments were very infrequent and not when anything else was happening. Maybe once or twice on a daylong ride.

I'm not one for extremes, seldom used #1 or #7. Just whatever was enough.

[Retro Rocket]

If using higher settings at speed just remember that as you slow down you should click it back to about 3 otherwise it can produce a slow weave that might be a bit unsettling and may make you thing something is wrong....

[messeduptriple]

How do i figure  the size damper  needed? ?  I have  a 76 550.

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can someone guide me on this please? 

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[Tintop]

Figuring out the required stroke........  Put the forks in the straight ahead position.  Take a tape measure, hold the body at the postion the damper will mount to the frame.  Extend to tape to the position were it will mount to the forks.  Turn the forks to full lock while holding the tape in position.  The difference in length is the required minimum stroke.  Check the Fast From the Past site, they list all the NHK damper specs.  Generally the 7 position black one will work for CB's.

[messeduptriple]

Figuring out the required stroke........  Put the forks in the straight ahead position.  Take a tape measure, hold the body at the postion the damper will mount to the frame.  Extend to tape to the position were it will mount to the forks.  Turn the forks to full lock while holding the tape in position.  The difference in length is the required minimum stroke.  Check the Fast From the Past site, they list all the NHK damper specs.  Generally the 7 position black one will work for CB's.

thanks much! !!

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