Steering dampers?

I've done a lot of 883 and 1200 conversions using Velorex's.
I've never needed to add a damper to a Sporty/Velo rig.
If you are getting wobble from driving hands off, that's normal.
If you get considerable head shake with both hands on you have other problems; alignment, out of balance front wheel, loose or worn head bearings, worn swing-arm bushings, cupped front tire, etc.
Sometimes adjusting sidecar wheel lead will cure a wobble.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars

Hey Hyster: I too contemplated a damper, but I have found it unnecesary after following the advice of Lonnie, among others, including tightening the steering head bearings as well lowering the gearing by almost 4% by replacing the 27 tooth front pulley with a 26 tooth after market pulley. The bearing adjustment helped a good bit, but the lower gearing took my mind off of the wobble as I don't have to modulate the clutch as carefully. Also, the 883 works better with the lower gearing, and, if the first tank of sedate back road riding is an indication, gas mileage did not suffer, and may even be marginally better.

Lee
2002 XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar

I to am new to sidecars. I have a 2000 Yamaha Ventura with a 2 seater Motorvation sidecar. Excellent workmanship. However, needed to put a damper on for low speed shake. Had everything checked and bike itself is fine. The damper took out the shake but makes it hard to steer.

Was wondering if anyone has tried the adjustable dampers or a car tire on front of bike.

Thanks
labill

The adjustable dampers are waaaaay overpriced for the slight difference in damping.
With your wide rig you would need to turn them all the way up anyway.
You are probably a good candidate for raked triple trees.
Much less steering effort and you usually can drop the damper.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecar

Lonnie,
Thanks for the info. I am trying to keep from doing that so I can still ride the bike without the sidecar.
I guess I will have to put up with it. Gives me a good work out anyway.

Thanks again

Hi labill:

I see your not only new to the forum, but are also from the same general neck of the woods as we are. Welcome from Shreveport, LA.

I have the same car on a 1500 Zuki Intruder and have some issues with head shake at low speeds too...I posted a thread also called head shake today.....I guess you could take the dampner off when ya run it solo....what kinda dampner are ya thinin about?? I have no idea what to use.....thanks Steve

I'm still undecided, but I got this far:

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=Main&catId=&productId=pH58682&leafCatId=&mmyId=#fitment

Mmmmm that one looks nice but expensive...I have heard many use a VW steering stabilizer....but allot more fabricating..I have another question about your Motorvation car....I find a hwy speeds the wind off the car windshield hits me full force in the face....do you have the same problem.....

For the lasr few weeks I've had the windshield compleletly off of mine. Picked up lots more acceleration and better handling in the wind. Since I'm never going to use the canvas "carriage" cover, I'm in the process of cutting the 16" windshield down to about 10".

They come up on ebay frequently. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CB-S4-MON-Ninja-GSX-R-7Ways-400MM-Gold-Steering-Damper_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35615QQihZ015QQitemZ250392427682QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
You just need to build or buy brackets.

I would suggest not cutting up the expensive OEM windshield.
The top will no longer be usable if needed. and a new one is about $160.00.
I use 1/8" lucite, cut it to size with a jigsaw, drill the 5 mounting holes with a dull drill or use reverse drilling to keep from cracking at the holes. The sawn edge can be sanded smooth or use auto door edge moulding to finish it off.

Lonnie

Originally written by Hyster on 3/24/2009 8:49 PM

I'm still undecided, but I got this far:

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=Main&catId=&productId=pH58682&leafCatId=&mmyId=#fitment

See Doug Bingham's steering dampner page:
http://sidestrider.com/steering.htm

Originally written by Hack'n on 3/25/2009 9:06 AM

I would suggest not cutting up the expensive OEM windshield.
The top will no longer be usable if needed. and a new one is about $160.00.
I use 1/8" lucite, cut it to size with a jigsaw, drill the 5 mounting holes with a dull drill or use reverse drilling to keep from cracking at the holes. The sawn edge can be sanded smooth or use auto door edge moulding to finish it off.

Lonnie

Worth a shot, I guess, before I cut the OEM screen. Thanks.