Author Topic: Steering stop and steering dampers  (Read 2172 times)

Offline FourFour

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Steering stop and steering dampers
« on: October 29, 2014, 11:23:54 AM »
Hello all,
My steering stop lug was replaced by my paint guy before he sprayed my frame but it has subsequently been knocked off again.
He has done such a fantastic job of all the paintwork that welding another one on would be messy and destroy the paintwork around the headstock.
Obviously, I don't want to be without a steering stop of any kind as my beautiful new tank will get damaged.

Any ideas?
I have heard that fitting a steering damper could solve the problem as it can be set with limited travel i.e. stops. and give the added benefit of improved steering ......though I will not be getting my kneedown on the this bike. From what I remember the exhaust and pegs ground out way before my short knees reach the floor!!

Has anyone fitted a steering damper to a sohc and can recommend one for me.

Cheers
Ian
1977 Honda 400/4 undergoing resto
2001 Triumph Sprint RS
1999 Kawasaki ZX9-R

Offline hairygit

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Re: Steering stop and steering dampers
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2014, 12:54:22 PM »
I can't swear to it, Bryan J will know for certain, but I seem to recall a missing lock stop is an M.O.T. failiure, not sure if a steering damper will satisfy them.
If it's got tits or wheels, it's hassle, if it's got both, RUN!!!

Offline Clem2112

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Re: Steering stop and steering dampers
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2014, 01:22:50 PM »
I broke a lug off my 400 after a meeting with a Ford Fiesta many years ago.

I was an apprentice doing workshop training at the time .....made one from mild steel bar,  turned a post, filed it to the right shape and driled a locating hole in the yoke. Dab of superglue to secure it and black paint ..... It never came adrift !

Never needed a damper... But I remember that the footpeg came up with little lean.

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Steering stop and steering dampers
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2014, 08:36:26 AM »
Yup, no lock stop is a fail, also one bent enough for bars to touch tank

Offline Trigger

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Re: Steering stop and steering dampers
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2014, 09:26:00 AM »
I would wield it back up. You can protect the paint on the lower yoke with putty as you wield. The custom boys when doing a slab yoke drill a hole, tap a thread and but a allen bolt in to use as a stop.

Offline Lynx

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Re: Steering stop and steering dampers
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2014, 06:56:21 PM »
Drill a hole through the yoke where the lock stop locates, tap a hole into the bottom of the lock stop and bolt on from underneath. I'd use a 5mm bolt with loctite. You should never use a steering damper to act as the lock stop. In fact it would probably still fail the MOT. Good luck.
Yamaha RD500LC
Triumph Speed Triple RS.

Previous bikes include
1976 Honda CB400F Now sold :-(
CB350K3 x2
CB250G5
CX500C
VF500F2
VF1000FE

Offline matthewmosse

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Re: Steering stop and steering dampers
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2014, 08:02:39 PM »
I had two bikes with steering dampers fitted where the damper stopped the steering marginally before the lock stop, marginally. On both it broke the steering damper eventually. I must say I took a while to notice both times, and I couldn't tell the difference handling wise though my dad did.
Got a 500/4 with rust and a sidecar and loadsa bits. nice and original and been round the clock

Offline FourFour

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Re: Steering stop and steering dampers
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2014, 12:05:35 AM »
Thanks for the advice folks.
Looks like I will either have to weld a new stop onto the frame headstock and damage the new paint job or drill into it and put in some steel pins and try and put a block onto these. Though the later could cause problems with the bottom roller bearings.
Gonna have to think long and hard about this. Maybe ned to speak to my paint guy first.

Cheers
Ian
1977 Honda 400/4 undergoing resto
2001 Triumph Sprint RS
1999 Kawasaki ZX9-R

Offline Lynx

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Re: Steering stop and steering dampers
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2014, 07:19:47 AM »
Or buy and fit a replacement stem!
Yamaha RD500LC
Triumph Speed Triple RS.

Previous bikes include
1976 Honda CB400F Now sold :-(
CB350K3 x2
CB250G5
CX500C
VF500F2
VF1000FE

 

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