Topic: Steering damper anyone?

[Tintop]

If the tube ID is less than 6mm, a drill will fix that.  Otherwise just drill out and re-tap the existing boss on the lower triple to take an 8mm bolt.

[davis96]

Here's the BMW style friction damper I built recently. I know it is not practical, and I know hydraulic dampers are much more efficient. That said, I wanted one, so I built one. I think it looks cool.

The design is a variation on the farley and ace damper, and the friction material used is leather (the only thing I had laying around, but it does actually work).

[Terry in Australia]

Here's the BMW style friction damper I built recently. I know it is not practical, and I know hydraulic dampers are much more efficient. That said, I wanted one, so I built one. I think it looks cool.

Don't sell yourself short mate, most bikes built before the 1970's ran friction dampers like yours, and they worked well. In fact, somewhere in a box I've got a NOS Ceriani damper I bought on eBay a few years ago.

One advantage a friction damper has over many hydraulic dampers is the constant damping available, whereas many hydraulic dampers have some slack before a "take up" point, much like if you took the fork springs out of your forks you'd have a certain amount of travel before the damping becomes apparent. Nice work!

[PeWe]

The old simple steering damper solution where the existing threaded hole in the lower triple tree is used. An uggly std exhaust clamp around the frame holding the steering damper.

See photo of my bike direct out from my friends barn 2009 full of chicken sh_t dust. Today under restoration, soon completed step 1.

[davis96]

Here's the BMW style friction damper I built recently. I know it is not practical, and I know hydraulic dampers are much more efficient. That said, I wanted one, so I built one. I think it looks cool.

Don't sell yourself short mate, most bikes built before the 1970's ran friction dampers like yours, and they worked well. In fact, somewhere in a box I've got a NOS Ceriani damper I bought on eBay a few years ago.

One advantage a friction damper has over many hydraulic dampers is the constant damping available, whereas many hydraulic dampers have some slack before a "take up" point, much like if you took the fork springs out of your forks you'd have a certain amount of travel before the damping becomes apparent. Nice work!

Cheers Terry,
The last several times I've ridden I've actually noticed a marked improvement in the ~40mph wobble and have gained some confidence taking bumpy corners. For a $4 mod I'm surprised that it works so well!

[nicks2319]

Anyone connect one without using the hole in the triple tree?

[flybox1]

Anyone connect one without using the hole in the triple tree?

It's easily done with a fork clamp

[750K]

Anyone connect one without using the hole in the triple tree?

Umm, yeah. Go back one page and you can see the clamp on the fork in the pic I posted.

[nicks2319]

Anyone connect one without using the hole in the triple tree?

Umm, yeah. Go back one page and you can see the clamp on the fork in the pic I posted.

Do you remember what size frame clamp and fork clamp you used? Thanks!

[flybox1]

Use a caliper and measure the frame in the area you want to mount it.

[754]

I think frame is 1 1/4 in the reinforced area below the neck ..on CB 750..

[750K]

Anyone connect one without using the hole in the triple tree?

Umm, yeah. Go back one page and you can see the clamp on the fork in the pic I posted.

Do you remember what size frame clamp and fork clamp you used? Thanks!

Fork leg 35mm
Upper frame tube 32mm

I'd still double check yours with a caliper, I'm riding a 77K and am not sure if the earlier years are the same diameter with frame and fork legs.

[fatmatt650]

Anyone connect one without using the hole in the triple tree?

Umm, yeah. Go back one page and you can see the clamp on the fork in the pic I posted.

Do you remember what size frame clamp and fork clamp you used? Thanks!

Fork leg 35mm
Upper frame tube 32mm

I'd still double check yours with a caliper, I'm riding a 77K and am not sure if the earlier years are the same diameter with frame and fork legs.

I just ordered your complete set-up minus the 35mm fork clamp for my 77CB750F with a Don Vesco Rabid Transit fairing that uses a Vetter frame mount. Thanks for the pics and info. I'm planning to set mine up just like yours to clear my fairing mount. Hoping to cure the wobblies I get whenever I let go of the bars, also, I had a good tank slapper once when i hit a pothole exiting a turn with a bit of lean. Let off the throttle and pushed forward on the bars till it came back. I don't ever want to go through that again.

[Deltarider]

Steering damper anyone?

No, thank you.

[Terry in Australia]

Come on Delta, you know you want one.............

[Deltarider]

Come on Delta, you know you want one.............

When I did my advance training, we had to ride handsfree and learn to steer at an increasing pace around pylons, all from the hips. That's where I learned: knees to the tank under all circumstances or you will never fully control your bike. But best advice remains hands at the bars at all times too.

[przjohn]

Come on Delta, you know you want one.............

When I did my advance training, we had to ride handsfree and learn to steer at an increasing pace around pylons, all from the hips. That's where I learned: knees to the tank under all circumstances or you will never fully control your bike. But best advice remains hands at the bars at all times too.

A great video that explains in simple terms what really makes a bike work, and some of the miss information out there from the Master Instructor himself, Keith Code.

[fatmatt650]

Come on Delta, you know you want one.............

When I did my advance training, we had to ride handsfree and learn to steer at an increasing pace around pylons, all from the hips. That's where I learned: knees to the tank under all circumstances or you will never fully control your bike. But best advice remains hands at the bars at all times too.

A great video that explains in simple terms what really makes a bike work, and some of the miss information out there from the Master Instructor himself, Keith Code.

Interesting video. Does it have anything to do with steering dampers or was it just in relation to the "hands free steering" comment?

[przjohn]

Come on Delta, you know you want one.............

When I did my advance training, we had to ride handsfree and learn to steer at an increasing pace around pylons, all from the hips. That's where I learned: knees to the tank under all circumstances or you will never fully control your bike. But best advice remains hands at the bars at all times too.

A great video that explains in simple terms what really makes a bike work, and some of the miss information out there from the Master Instructor himself, Keith Code.

Interesting video. Does it have anything to do with steering dampers or was it just in relation to the "hands free steering" comment?

Posted it because Delta had mentioned the steering with the hips and keeping your hands on the bars which are both ways to counter steer. But, to stay on topic, I have used steering dampers on dirt bikes for years and have them on a few street bikes. I just purchased a new KTM 1290R Super Duke and it, like many other new street bikes comes stock with one. I figure they don't hurt anything but if I had X amount of dollars to spend I would put it toward improving the suspension first.