I just got my Honda Goldwing-Vetter. However, the slow speed vibration is so bad that it is very difficult to steer. Is there anyone in the SF Bay Area that can install a steering damper for me, so I don't have to ship the rig too far away to be worked on? Thanks
alcatrazhack - 8/4/2010 8:30 PM
I just got my Honda Goldwing-Vetter. However, the slow speed vibration is so bad that it is very difficult to steer. Is there anyone in the SF Bay Area that can install a steering damper for me, so I don't have to ship the rig too far away to be worked on? Thanks
Sorry, I don't know about the San Francisco area shops. As to your Goldwing, it's a well-known problem that they can wobble. There are generally two causes:
1. Old, worn, cupped front tire. The weight of the Goldwing, comined with any under-inflation, will cause them to cup on the sides.
2. After Goldwings get a few years and some miles on them, the fork-head bearings have been known to wear radially and get notches in them. This is sometimes called "burnelling". It can cause the dreaded "Goldwing Wobble", generally at low speeds. Such wear is not uncommon on older Goldwings. This is because the front end is "hunting" for a smooth spot and can't find one.
If you want an absolutely certain cure, a new front tire, new fork head bearings and a different set of fork trees with proper rake for a sidecar will fix the problem with absolute certainly....oooowwww, that sounds expensive.
In the interim, a steering damper would be a good solution. What Harley-Davidson uses is the same as a VW steering damper from an early VW Beetle. They cost less than $25. It would be possible to adapt one of those to your Goldwing. You would need a clamp on the right fort tube at some point and a bracket on the sidecar frame.
Good luck!
You might try TriQuest Motorcycles and Sidecars. It's a Ural shop, but Ski is a sidecar guy from way back and should be able to help you.
http://www.triquestcycles.com/
Business hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10-5
Closed Sunday~Monday
2981 Lafayette St.
Santa Clara CA 95054
Phone 408-855-8358
Fax 408-855-8378
Ski said he won't do it. He only does Ural.
Here's a steering damper for a 1500 or 1800 Goldwing. It looks nice but it's terribly expensive........
YIKES,,,,$575,,,,nice looking unit but are you really having that many problems?, try dropping the tire pressure a little.
alcatrazhack - 8/4/2010 10:30 PM
I just got my Honda Goldwing-Vetter. However, the slow speed vibration is so bad that it is very difficult to steer. Is there anyone in the SF Bay Area that can install a steering damper for me, so I don't have to ship the rig too far away to be worked on? Thanks
Vince,
Contact Doug Bingham
Already did, I am weighing different options now
I have used several different stabilizers....I really don't like the adjustable aluminum bodied motorcycle stabilizers...they just don't do the job well......and the VW stabilizers are a bit limited to their travel...so mounting locations are somewhat limited....BUT...I just found that MOOG (front end parts manufacturer) sells three models of the VW steering stabilizer....a stock one from South America...a stock one that they make...and a really nice looking adjustable one made of aluminum...for about $60 on line.... I ordered one several weeks ago..and just got a notification that it was shipped.... it looks perfect...
Joel Rapose
www.rapose.biz
I also am playing around with using a heavy equipment adjustable leveling mount..... like the adjusters under your dryer... like a 1/2" bolt with a ball and mount on one end.... I plan on welding the mount end to a flat piece of flat stock that will U bolt to the sidecar frame....allowing it to move forward or rearward.... and also allow some side to side play on the end of the shock mounting ..... would give it some movement without play...
Joel
I bought the leverer from Graingers...it is available with different size bolts...neat.
Joel
You guys need to put some http://'s so others can see what you using, easy to do and who know who it would out.
