Topic: Show me your steering dampers!

[nobody]

I'm curious to see how everybody is mounting theirs so I can get some ideas on mine

here's mine



also, this

[Deltarider]

I'm more interested to see more of the box in the far left of your first photo, the box in red and black with a yellow stripe.

[calj737]

Hey Matthew - It would be helpful if you would indicate what bike you are working with, and what front end (stock or modern swap, custom triples, etc) so relevant solutions can be pictured for you.

[Stev-o]

I'm about to remount the damper on my K3, the PO welded a bracket on the frame and the other end mounts to the fork tube.

Does your lower triple have a hole in it? You may be able to bolt it there.


Can post pics later, need to go to work...

[Wobbly]

http://www.ebay.de/itm/131782117009?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[nobody]

Hey Matthew - It would be helpful if you would indicate what bike you are working with, and what front end (stock or modern swap, custom triples, etc) so relevant solutions can be pictured for you.

Always important info. I have a 74 k4 750 with the stock front end and triples, the lower triple does have that threaded hole so I think I'll mount there. I'm more in the fog when in comes to where on the frame to clamp and connecting the damper to said clamp.

That Targa mount is slick

[calj737]

The image of yours shows a clamp designed to accommodate the front frame tube. The adjuster knob should extend beyond your forks to provide access while driving.

Use care when tapping the lower. Its cast iron, brittle, and can be hard to drill. A little thread sealant is a good measure for installation.

[nobody]

The hole in the lower is already tapped, I think, so I'm just going to have to find a bolt with the right thread.
Could you elaborate on what you're saying about the adjustor knob?

I'm more interested to see more of the box in the far left of your first photo, the box in red and black with a yellow stripe.

I forgot to answer you earlier, that box has a points plate assembly in it.

[Deltarider]

I forgot to answer you earlier, that box has a points plate assembly in it.

Yes, a Daiichi. I'd rather spend my money on a good points plate assembly than a steering damper.

[flybox1]

I forgot to answer you earlier, that box has a points plate assembly in it.

Yes, a Daiichi. I'd rather spend my money on a good points plate assembly than a steering damper.

+1
Ditch the Daiichi, Matthew, and get a OEM TEC or ND points plate.

[nobody]

Damn it, I bought that as an extra and you're telling me I wasted $40?
What's wrong with Daiichi?

[flybox1]

What's wrong with Daiichi?

Lots of stuff.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,59886.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,149836.msg1709853.html#msg1709853

[nobody]

damn it 

[Deltarider]

Fair is fair, there seems to be enough riders that are content with Daiichi.
You still haven't informed us why you think you need a steering damper.

[JWExperience]

I have the same damper as the OP. I put mine on because I got a hairy wobble over bumps at highway speed. Next I'll replace the bushings in my swingarm.


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[DaveBarbier]

I forgot to answer you earlier, that box has a points plate assembly in it.

Yes, a Daiichi. I'd rather spend my money on a good points plate assembly than a steering damper.

+1
Ditch the Daiichi, Matthew, and get a OEM TEC or ND points plate.

+2
I had issues with Daiichi condensers, and points at separate times. TEC all day!

On my 550. Left frame tube to the threaded hole on the right side of the lower triple. Easy access to the adjuster while riding with my left hand.

[Stev-o]

Yes, bolt it to your lower Triple like this.

This is my H1 [yours may be different], the bolt size is 8x60mm and I used a nyloc nut. Pretty simple.

Looks like my triple needs paint!

[Retro Rocket]

I forgot to answer you earlier, that box has a points plate assembly in it.

Yes, a Daiichi. I'd rather spend my money on a good points plate assembly than a steering damper.

+1
Ditch the Daiichi, Matthew, and get a OEM TEC or ND points plate.

+2
I had issues with Daiichi condensers, and points at separate times. TEC all day!

On my 550. Left frame tube to the threaded hole on the right side of the lower triple. Easy access to the adjuster while riding with my left hand.

I see in a lot of the pics here dampers bolted onto the right side of the bike, I prefer the left as in the picture above, you can adjust the damper without taking your hand off the throttle. Unless they changed the hole in the bottom triple clamp, it should be threaded, find a metric bolt that fits and use that, I usually have a small mount welded to the left downtube, I prefer them to be mounted to the frame, not a clamp....

Delta, if you don't know why dampers are used, after being told numerous times already,  its a waste of time explaining it over and over again..

[Stev-o]

I forgot to answer you earlier, that box has a points plate assembly in it.

Yes, a Daiichi. I'd rather spend my money on a good points plate assembly than a steering damper.

+1
Ditch the Daiichi, Matthew, and get a OEM TEC or ND points plate.

+2
I had issues with Daiichi condensers, and points at separate times. TEC all day!

On my 550. Left frame tube to the threaded hole on the right side of the lower triple. Easy access to the adjuster while riding with my left hand.

I see in a lot of the pics here dampers bolted onto the right side of the bike, I prefer the left as in the picture above, you can adjust the damper without taking your hand off the throttle. Unless they changed the hole in the bottom triple clamp, it should be threaded, find a metric bolt that fits and use that, I usually have a small mount welded to the left downtube, I prefer them to be mounted to the frame, not a clamp....

Delta, if you don't know why dampers are used, after being told numerous times already,  its a waste of time explaining it over and over again..

Hey Mick ...  totally unnecessary on a 500 at slow speeds. Trust me!

[JWExperience]

Mines on the right side because there was a hole already threaded for it, besides, why would you really need to make adjustments that you couldn't wait until a stop sign/light for. Not like I'm doing track days.


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[calj737]

Could you elaborate on what you're saying about the adjustor knob?

The knurled end of the damper is the adjuster. It allows you to tune the resistance for street/city riding versus open road way where your speed differs. In the city, lighter steering, open road at faster speed, more resistance to help maintain stability. Thats why the guys are talking about left side or right for tinkering while riding...

[Retro Rocket]

Mines on the right side because there was a hole already threaded for it, besides, why would you really need to make adjustments that you couldn't wait until a stop sign/light for. Not like I'm doing track days.


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Because you can use a higher setting on highways and lower settings for round town, the higher settings give more stability at speed, high settings can cause a weave at slow speeds, that's why they are adjustable...

[JWExperience]

Now you're just being nit picky. My bike is much more stable on the highway and I use the same setting...always. Most sport bikes come with non adjustable dampers anyways.


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[Retro Rocket]

Now you're just being nit picky. My bike is much more stable on the highway and I use the same setting...always. Most sport bikes come with non adjustable dampers anyways.


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Why are they adjustable then..?  Your bike isn't more stable on the highway at all, there's just less turns and no sharp corners to contend with and a generally flatter surface, you are going faster, thats all, I've had a tank slapper that broke my steering stops and nearly broke my thumbs, I was amazed I didn't throw the bike down the road, I've used dampers ever since. Turning up a damper on high speed sections of the road increases stability by slowing down or stopping oscillations in the front suspension and wheels, it sound to me that you've never done anything but stuck a damper on a left it alone..?  I suspect you probably don't know much about adjustable suspension either..?  The damper is actually part of that set up...

[JWExperience]

Blah blah blah... I've had tank slippers too. MY bike is more stable. I would know, I rode it before...when I got those oscillations you speak of and now they don't happen. And yes I rode it with different setting to see where I liked it and where it would work for MY riding conditions. Sorry if this offends you. Again, tell me why modern sport bikes coming off the showroom floor today don't have adjustable dampers IF ITS SO VITAL.
Oh and to finish measuring our wieners...I've rebuild my suspension too and understand dampening, rebound etc.
I'm so annoyed when people post topics looking for help and other people give such definitive responses like you did about where the damper has to be mounted. Then you get upset when somebody else suggests an alternative. God forbid somebody does it differently. Isn't that the point of the forum, to share knowledge? Every conversation with you goes this route...
Sorry for the hijack to the OP, your damper will work well for you no matter which side you mount it.


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