Steering Damper

[salty_monk]

How can I make this fit the skunk?? Show me yours

[tatu]

I have this, and I will fab up a neat bracket that will bolt through the two holes in the down tubes in the frame under the tank/headstock.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/37mm-Alloy-Steering-Damper-Stanchion-Mounting-Bracket-Fork-Clamp-Honda-Yamaha-/251006270376?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3a7123bba8

[Agemax]

this is how i mounted mine, but the damper is much longer than yours mr Monk

[80GS1000]

Has the Skunk ever had any symptoms of headshaking in the past? Any fright from almost getting into a tankslapper? Do you set down wheelies crooked often?

Honestly IMO you should only fit a damper if you need it. And even then, after your steering geometry is well sorted. Otherwise it makes slow speed steering more difficult.

[tatu]

Exactly what I have in mind! Dan can still use the same idea by moving the mount closer to th e middle.
Nice job there Adrian.

[Agemax]

i dont think that short one will fit in this way, it does not have enough travel, it is meant to bolt on to the top tree and steering stem top nut as mounting points

[tatu]

Has the Skunk ever had any symptoms of headshaking in the past? Any fright from almost getting into a tankslapper? Do you set down wheelies crooked often?

Honestly IMO you should only fit a damper if you need it. And even then, after your steering geometry is well sorted. Otherwise it makes slow speed steering more difficult.

My Skunk came with one on it. (never ridden it yet) and my S' definately needs one, It really was a help on my first one, and I know what you mean by slow speed being heavy, it was routine on my bike to dial in maximum stiffness as i was changing up the gears after setting off.

[Agemax]

thats why its always good to fit an adjustable damper, back it right off for slow town riding but the faster and twistier you go, adjust the damper up to suit

[80GS1000]

Here's a pic of how that damper is attached to a GSXR lower triple:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/2007-2008-GSX...20w~~60_57.JPG

If you or a friend are handy with a welder, you could attach a tab to your lower triple to fit that damper.

You also need a new tab welded to the neck of the frame for the other end if you want it to be installed in the same way as it is on a GSXR. If you go that route, make sure you can turn the bars lock to lock without interference from the damper. That's how I fitted mine.

[Agemax]

are those gsxr dampers adjustable? i always figured my damper looks a bit big and cumbersome and i have a good idea now how to fit one.
sorry i thought they bolted to the top tree, not the bottom

[80GS1000]

The stock GSXR dampers (including the one Salty pictured) are non-adjustable.

[salty_monk]

No problems with steering on the skunk... just something else to play with!

Agemax - that looks like my plan to a T... but I don't know that mine will work that way as you say. What is the travel on yours?

[pontiacstogo]

Not sure if it's applicable to any other GS models, but you used to able to buy bolt-on damper kits for Kats and they used a couple of bolt holes on the frame;




The only downside to the location is that you can't adjust them 'on the fly' as they end up hidden behind the fairing.

[Agemax]

No problems with steering on the skunk... just something else to play with!

Agemax - that looks like my plan to a T... but I don't know that mine will work that way as you say. What is the travel on yours?

the damper is 270mm length with a 65mm stroke. i had to cut it down from 130mm stroke otherwise it stuck out side the bike on l/h lock by a few inches and looked silly.
i bought the damper main bracket off a guy from OSS, its a genuine yoshi bracket. although it is only a bent bit of steel !!!!!
i got a feeling now i am going to try the gsxr damper like yours as i already have a bracket on the frame that i welded on to use as a lock stop to go with the slab yolks.
there should be enough metal there to drill and tap an 8mm hole.

[posplayr]

I think this is the same one as yours Dan. I may have swapped out the nose piece from a different dampener.

After alot of finagling this turned out to be pretty easy and did not do too much to slow down the steering. It is hardly noticeable but hopefully does something if there was ever a high speed tank slapper.

The steering dampener goes almost full length of the stroke and is only inhibited by the steering stops. This is a 88 GSXR1100 fork with modified steering stops.

The frame mount is the stop fairing mount for the 83 GS1100 ESD that the ED comes with as well. It is a little tight but aren't they all?

I used some Polyurethane cushions (the red color does clash with my red paint) to help with flexibility as the steering went lock to lock.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ptp-19-909?gclid=CIXW36udrLMCFQioPAodECcAmQ

P.S. I should mention I have never felt any front end wobble, this just gives a bit of piece of mind.