The best mounting position for the damper on a Tubular fork front end is above the slider travel area since there is no change of angle during riding if mounted here, ergo no bump steering effect.
If mounted to the slider the damper should be at a 90 degree angle from the fork to limit bump steer since the slider is constantly changing length while under way.
There is some info on inexpensive damper mounting at the Sidecar Industry Council site.
Lonnie
Bigbikerick - what kind of bike are you hanging your Friendship II onto? I just went out and looked at my GL1100 (damn it's cold out!) and measured up the fork leg (52mm dia) below the thicker seal area. Because of the fairing, there's no way I can mount a damper unit up higher. Not sure what brand damper I have, but it's a "Made In USA" unit, P/N 81190-ORP or P1121. Can't find it Googling, but on eBay there's a bunch of "steering stabilizer"s that look similar. This one looks exactly like the one that came with my sidecar: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRW-AUTO-16221-Stabilizer-Kit-Steering-Damper-FAST-SHIP-/220730875135?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item336495dcff
(TRW AUTO 16221 for when this link dies)
Hi Daryl, I have my friendship II on a 2003 Moto Guzzi california Aluminum, the damper I have is similar to what you show, but its too stiff, thanks Rick
Does anyone know of a VW damper that has mounting holes at both ends , instead of a hole at one end and a threaded rod at the other end ( like an older bug damper) , and has adequate stroke, like the bug unit? I think the bug unit has about 6.5" of stroke length, which is barely enough. thanks Rick.
Just measured my damper, that 81190-ORR P/N, and it's stroke is about 8 3/4". That MotoGuzzi looks like a nice bike, always liked those engines. The LeMans is a classic!
hi Daryl, that sounds very similar to the damper currently on my bike. than
ks for the kind words. Here you can see some pics of my sidecar project, enjoy, Rick
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=30634.0
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=33045.0
Wow, nice work, and it looks great! I didn't see a pic of the finished project tho (would love to see it). Your sidecar is exactly like mine! Mine is gloss black... came that way. Interior carpet, seat, windshield and convertible top all in very good shape. Frame and mounting hardware needs repainting tho. I mounted a Honda saddlebag on back rack (after modifying it, sanding & repainting it)... need the extra storage as I want to use my rig for touring & camping. I don't know (and haven't tried to figure it out yet) how to imbed pix on this site yet, so I'll try to post links to my sidecar & bike on Photobucket... Still winter here. Will install sidecar in spring (I don't have a garage). Much to do... have to weld up custom rear mount (Side Effects pre-cut pieces for me) and install their Steerite modified triple tree front end. Your front end is stock, right?
Hi Daryl, yes my front is stock,{ Guzzis dont have too much rake) click on the lower ling , and it will show the finished rig, plus a couple pics of wifes magna. Great rig you got!, I love naked wings, I have had a 87 interstate, an 82 aspencade, and currently have a Pearl white, 2000 1500 se, DFT trike. I think a wing, esp. an older naked is one of the best sidecar tugs. Cheers, Rick
Thanks, I see the finished project now - it did turn out nice! Your wifes Magna looks very nice too. I have a thing for Honda - reliability!!! So you have a GL1500 as well! I am considering upgrading to a 1500, but want to wait a bit and see how finances turn out. Am on the cusp of forced retirement (medical reasons) which is partially why the move to sidecar. I need to be watching my pennies too; I'm trying to do all my hobby stuff as reasonably inexpensively as possible. For some reason I really like the GL1100s. To me they are a nice size, have enough power (might feel otherwise dragging a sidecar around) and still look like a motorcycle should. Am not a big fan of blended look of newer bikes, although I can appreciate their goodness and soundness of design. The older I get, the more "retro" I'm becoming.
Daryl Martel - 2/12/2011 1:35 PM
Thanks, I see the finished project now - it did turn out nice! Your wifes Magna looks very nice too. I have a thing for Honda - reliability!!! So you have a GL1500 as well! I am considering upgrading to a 1500, but want to wait a bit and see how finances turn out. Am on the cusp of forced retirement (medical reasons) which is partially why the move to sidecar. I need to be watching my pennies too; I'm trying to do all my hobby stuff as reasonably inexpensively as possible. For some reason I really like the GL1100s. To me they are a nice size, have enough power (might feel otherwise dragging a sidecar around) and still look like a motorcycle should. Am not a big fan of blended look of newer bikes, although I can appreciate their goodness and soundness of design. The older I get, the more "retro" I'm becoming.
The 1100 Honda would be a good bike for a sidecar. I've seen a few of them. The only negative issues I'm aware of on that bike were the rear hubs where the bearings would sometimes wear the wheels when the bearings got loose in the hub bores. Also, the alternators were underpowered and known to fail.
If I had an 1100, I'd install an add-on car alternator. I've seen several websites that feature this installation. A pulley is added to one of the camshafts and the alternator mounts on the side. Yoo can get 75 to 90 amps depending upon the alternator. If your alternator is already shot, you can just leave it in, or take it out as you wish and run the add-on unit.
The 1983 Gold wing has been acclaimed as the best Gold Wing ever made by many Wingers who have owned one.
We've hacked many 1100's. Weak points, as stated by gnm are the lack of electrical capacity (if adding other power drains) and the front ends can use a little beefing up (heavier fork oil and maybe spacers or heavier fork springs to reduce front end dive).
Due to age, check the rear hub, swingarm pivots and timing belt.
L.
Here's a look at one of the car alternator conversions for four-cylinder Goldwings. There are several on the internet but this one happened to come up. If I had a four-cylinder Goldwing, that would be high on the agenda due to the known issues with the stock alternators.
When I had my 1500 six-cylinder Goldwing, I changed the stock alternator to a Compufire. It was a 90 amp unit, twice the capacity of the original and it really made a difference in power for lights and whatever else you wanted like heated seat or gloves.
http://www.htctech.net/~squirts/stator.htm
Thnx for tips & hints. So far my GL1100s have been rock solid reliability wise... knock on wood. Can't say I've noticed alternator load or charging issues, and I ran lots of lights on 'em... LEd & halogen driving lights.
In the event that you do need an alternator in the future and choose to go with an external, look for a setup that runs off of the crankshaft, NOT one of the cam gears. Lots of people have had problems with timing belts after doing one off of a cam pulley.
Here's one that comes off of the crank. http://gl1200goldwings.com/techcenter/article1003.htm
Thanks Mike - am not keen on external car alternator setup, although I understand there's considerable merit to doing it.
