Marginally Stupid Steering Dampener Question

[raptormeat]

Is there any benefit/setback to a steering dampener mounted forwards to the fork tube vs. sideways across the triple tree?

 

[plagrone]

Is there any benefit/setback to a steering dampener mounted forwards to the fork tube vs. sideways across the triple tree?

Not totally sure if I understand, but I would think mounting would be tricky, and range of motion would also be less mounting "sideways"

 

[raptormeat]

basically this:

vs.

 

[raptormeat]

someone (online) said "um, is that steering dampener attached to the fork tube? lol"

im like...brah, thats how theyre supposed to go unless you have a superbike with it already on it

 

[jpmobius]

It does not matter at all, but it depends on the specific damper. Some upper triple tree dampers (dampeners I suppose is actually correct) are simply too short throw (and small) to be practical for "side" mounting, but there are some basics to pay attention to.

First, the distance from the steering pivot should enable the piston to make nearly it's complete travel when moving the steering lock to lock. Never allow the damper to be a steering stop. When the steering is centered, the angle between a line drawn through the steering pivot and the end of the damper, and a line drawn through the two ends of the damper must be 90 degrees when viewed looking through the steering stem bearings. This is the point where the damper will have the most leverage over the steering, and the effort will be close to the same going in either direction. The damper really is only important when the steering is straight ahead, so this 90 degrees is important. I see a lot of top mounted units with bad geometry, and I suspect that most of these factory installations are more for sales than an actual need to forestall the dreaded speed wobble most of us need the added damper for on older more bendy chassis. Most have very strong damping, and very short throw, which they have to have for the geometry if they are to do anything. They are very easy to adjust on the fly, though I've never had issue with reaching down to a side mount personally.

lastly, though most have spherical joints that allow for misalignment, when viewed from the side, the angle between the damper and the rake should be 90 degrees. Hope this helps.

 

[Redbird]

^^^ What he said

Is there any benefit/setback to a steering dampener mounted forwards to the fork tube vs. sideways across the triple tree?

The main things to look at when adding a Dampener, other than what Mobius mentioned, is aesthetics and accessibility. Will it work? and can you get to it for adjustments (if necessary).

I took an OEM "sideways mounted" dampener from a GSXR1000, and mounted it "forward" on my DS7.
It works great, but I did have to raise the fluid viscosity to compensate for the leverage difference.

 

[DrJ]

It's DAMPER, aaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhh!

 

[Redbird]

Holy Crap, you're right!

A "dampener" is a device used to make things moist...

 

[Big R]

I've been looking into dampers recently (out of a possible necessity .....) and here comes everybody's favorite quote: "I read somewhere on the internet" that a side mounted damper is more likely to be damaged in an accident. And on full / half faired bikes they are harder to install because of possible interference with the fairing / hardware.

That being said, something is going to be damaged when a bike is on its side.....

 

[Redbird]

...that a side mounted damper is more likely to be damaged in an accident.

Well... it'd really only be a 50/50 chance of that then
And if it does draw the short straw, I'd rather the bike land on a $20 dampner than my custom painted fuel tank