If you also found the speed of extension and contraction at the same # of push and pull pressure as the V-dub damper, maybe the Motor Company has pulled another fast one on us.
If not, the valving is different.
Lonnie
Wouldn't be the first time ....LOL.... lets see price of barrel of oil went down but the price of gas hasn't and won't ....but when the price of oil per barrel goes up funny how the price at the pump goes up right away like next day... Mmmmmmm
Originally written by Hack'n on 7/19/2008 2:49 PM
If you also found the speed of extension and contraction at the same # of push and pull pressure as the V-dub damper, maybe the Motor Company has pulled another fast one on us.
If not, the valving is different.Lonnie
I just wanted to know whether you have done those tests. As I said, from every objective standpoint, the two versions are the same. By the way, I discovered this back in 1995 when a friend who was a Harley parts man clued me in.
And, yes, as much as I love Harley-Davidson, it wouldn't be the first time they have charged a lot of money for a simple part that can be sourced elsewhere. For example, bolts, nuts, washers, oil, filters, wax, paint, tires, bearings, seals, and so forth.
It's still my favorite motorcycle company, however. LOL
I haven't checked the serial #'s on both shocks. I guess that would be a simple giveaway. I don't have any Harley shocks here at present.
I prefer to ride the Motor Co.'s swing arm products too but without either damper.
Lonnie
Originally written by Hack'n on 7/20/2008 10:56 AM
I haven't checked the serial #'s on both shocks. I guess that would be a simple giveaway. I don't have any Harley shocks here at present.
I prefer to ride the Motor Co.'s swing arm products too but without either damper.
Lonnie
When you check, you'll probably only find lot and manufacturer's ID numbers. No matter. I'm still using the OEM damper on mine. It's a good compromise for a motorcycle that could possibly see some solo use in the future.
Happy Trails.
Ok, HD or South America. My question is where do you find fittings for the piston end (the small end) of the fitting. Mine broke. I bought it from Pokie, and he is willing to help, but he is very ill. Any of you guys know of this "small" end fitting?
Uber
Originally written by Jim Van der Veen on 7/25/2008 5:15 PM
Ok, HD or South America. My question is where do you find fittings for the piston end (the small end) of the fitting. Mine broke. I bought it from Pokie, and he is willing to help, but he is very ill. Any of you guys know of this "small" end fitting?
Uber
Well, you've got three choices. You can buy a new damper from Harley. You can get a VW Beetle damper from a VW shop or you can try to weld the broken part. If you could post a picture of the broken part, maybe someone could make a suggestion.
I have adapted rod ends (heim joints) depending on the application.
The stock fittings are swedged onto the piston rod.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
I would suggest that when installing a VW dampener that you think about which way you make full lock turns because you can only get a full lock turn in one direction, it will bottom/top out the other way at least that's the way mine was, I took it off after having the forks kicked out 5 deg's, I only get the shakes when I hit a bump at very low speed and a quick turn will stop that.
Originally written by Shadow1100T on 7/26/2008 12:52 AM
I would suggest that when installing a VW dampener that you think about which way you make full lock turns because you can only get a full lock turn in one direction, it will bottom/top out the other way at least that's the way mine was, I took it off after having the forks kicked out 5 deg's, I only get the shakes when I hit a bump at very low speed and a quick turn will stop that.
I never had that problem. The HD dampener has the same stroke as the VW item. The length is fixed by the distance between the mount on the cross bar and the mount on the bracket connected to the lower trile tree. My 2004 Ultra will touch the fork stops either way without bottoming the dampener.
My dampener came as part of the standard HD installation kit and I didn't encounter that problem.
Re-reading your post, could it be that the 5 degree change in the triple trees caused the dampener to be further extended than before the change?
What year and model motorcycle and sidecar do/did you have? If you are talking about a Sportster or a Softail, then the FL damperer might fit differerntly. I really don't know about that type of installation.
I don't get any shakes with the dampener installed. You could repair it as Lonnie shows. I haven't broken on yet but when I do, I'd just make or adapt another end.
Mine was on a Honda Shadow with a Calf. Sidecar and it bottomed out on one side before the 5 deg change, didn't really need it afterwards, I was limited on placement and had to mount it mid fork which increased the stroke, I suppose if I could have mounted it higher it would have been fine I did how ever notice a real heaviness in the steering with it on in parking lot maneuvers.
Most of the Honda Cruisers have excessive trail and many need a damper when fitted with a heavier car to prevent headshake.
Lonnie
Originally written by Hack'n on 7/26/2008 12:07 PM
Most of the Honda Cruisers have excessive trail and many need a damper when fitted with a heavier car to prevent headshake.
Lonnie
Most of them? Which ones?
Only one I ever had that needed a damper was a GL1200 Goldwing. The Hitchhiker body had three sets of mounting holes. When we moved the sidecar body forward on the frame the shimmy disappeared.
Check the trail numbers. Most of the late '70's to present middleweight Japanese cruisers have a lot of trail. As the years have passed the Harley clone Cruisers have increased in size, wheelbase, weight, tire size and braking potential making them a better sidecar tug.
Many of the heavy weight cruisers that are on the market now can handle a larger sidecar without help from a damper. The GL, VTX, Rune and Valkyrie is not your average Jap Cruiser. But if mounted to a doublewide they may also benefit from a damper.
I am not a damper advocate. I set up for use without a damper if reasonable but sometimes a damper is the only way to eliminate headshake.
I've found that the /5, /6, /7 and some K's of the Beemer persuasion are also hard to keep from wiggling their noses without dampening.
With my Eectra Glides: if the trees were raked the damper came off.
Feel free to keep yours on.
Lonnie
